Broughtonia negrilensis

Also known as: Negril Broughtonia or Broughtonia negrilensis h.f. semialba Broughtonia negrilensis h.f. alba in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Westmoreland - Jamaica

General Information

Negril Broughtonia is a small sympodial warm to hot growing epiphytic or terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Jamaica. It is named after the Town In Western Jamaica.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 20-25cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery rigid leaves that grow to 20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 5cm

Flowers

Numerous blossoms appear during Autumn and Winter

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Winter

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Perlite

Care Notes

These orchids like to be kept on the dry side, but may need to be watered daily during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered regularly.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Climate

Grows at low elevations. Rainfall ranges from 15mm to 180mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 71% to 79%, highest in October and lowest in July. Temperature ranges from 18C to 32C, highest in July (23C to 32C) and lowest in March (18C to 29C).

Watering

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration Be sure to provide strong air circulation after watering to prevent fungal and bacterial infections from water sitting on leaves.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

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

These plants can be sensitive to repotting though should not require repotting regularly. Repotting should be done when the mix has broken down to the point that it doesn't absorb water or holds onto water for far too long, usually the plant shows a decline in growth as well.

The mix should be free draining, with a blend of 30% inorganic ingredients such as coarse sand, gravel or perlite, mixed in with about 70% organic ingredients such as peat, leaf litter or decomposed bark. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they can vary wildly and may contain "wetting agents" that can hold onto water for loo long, causing rotting and stunted growth.

This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.