Bonatea speciosa

Also known as: The Beautiful Bonatea or Habenaria bonatea h.v. boltoni Bonatea speciosa h.v. speciosa Habenaria bonatea Habenaria densiflora Bonatea densiflora in the subfamily: Orchidoideae

Native to: Eastern Cape - South Africa Zimbabwe

General Information

The Beautiful Bonatea is a medium sized cool to warm growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Orchidoideae native to South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Plant Description

Grows to 100cm. Each new growth has numerous lance shaped oblong shaped leaves that grow to 2-10cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 40-100cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant. The fragrance can be described as spicy

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Fine
• Bark
• Sand

Care Notes

These orchids live on the forest floor and keep tubers to store energy and nutrients during dormancy and poor weather. They are generally quite forgiving and usually thrive on neglect, as long as it's the type of neglect where they are forgotten to be watered or fertilised, as overwatering can cause rot, and excessive fertilisers can affect the fine root system.

They are quite forgiving when it comes to light and environmental conditions, as long as they have enough moisture in the soil to keep going. Damage to leaves from overexposure to light or dry conditions has no long term implications as the plant will withdraw back to the tuber and be replaced with a new plant in the next season. Just be sure not to overwater damaged plants as they will rot.

They will enter a dormancy phase where leaves are shedded the plant withdraws back to the ground. During dormancy tubers can be removed from the soil, kept in a dry cool place if required, replanting when new roots appear. However, most plants will do better if not disturbed, and replanting late can set back the plant and reduce the likelihood of flowering in the following year.

In many areas these can be grown in the garden, needing little maintenance. 

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

These orchids grow in cool climates, at low altitudes, in cool plains, forests or coastal scrub.

They are forgiving of humidity variances as long as temperatures are kept on the cool side. They can do well outdoors in the garden in cool and temperate areas, though it is important that they are protected from warm dry winds. They can enjoy morning sun especially in winter but will need protection from the hot sun in the afternoon and during summer. With some acclimatisation they may be able to receive more sun.

 

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 28mm to 130mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 63% to 77%, highest in September and lowest in December. Temperature ranges from 8C to 24C, highest in July (18C to 24C) and lowest in January (8C to 19C).

Fertiliser

dormant-medium-demand-orchid Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

This orchid prefers a fine, well draining media. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they may have 'wetting agents' that retain water for too long. A simple mix made up of 20% sand, 50% peat or moss, with the remaining 30% made up of decomposed bark and leaf litter would be adequate. Adding some charcoal to the mix will also help it last longer.

Repotting depends on how wet the media is usually. Every 2-3 years would suffice, or whenever the media shows signs of clumping, staying wet for too long, or smells foul.