Chelonistele sulphurea

Also known as: Sulpher Yellow Chelonistele or Pleione sulfurea Chelonistele sulphurea ssp. grandiflora Coelogyne decipiens Chelonistele pinniloba Coelogyne kutaiensis Coelogyne pinniloba Coelogyne perakensis Pholidota pusilla Coelogyne pusilla Coelogyne cuneata Chelonistele sulphurea var. crassifolia Chelonistele kutaiensis Chelonistele cuneata Coelogyne crassifolia Chelonistele sulphurea var. sulphurea Chelonistele pusilla Coelogyne croockewitii Coelogyne beyrodtiana Chelonistele crassifolia Coelogyne ramosii Chelonistele perakensis Pleione croockewitii in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Philippines

General Information

Sulpher Yellow Chelonistele is a warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Philippines.

Plant Description

Grows to 36cm. Each new growth has a single erect arching, lance shaped leaf that grows to 2.5-30cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1.5-6cm

Flowers

Numerous blossoms appear during Autumn

Blooming Season

• Autumn

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

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 to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 94mm to 208mm per day, heaviest in May and lightest in February. Temperature ranges from 13C to 27C, highest in April (14C to 27C) and lowest in February (13C to 24C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

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.

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

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.