Chysis bractescens

Also known as: The Bracteate Chysis or Thorvaldsenia speciosa Chysis bractescens h.f. aurea Chysis bractescens h.f. coerulea Chysis aurea var. bractescens Chysis makoyi in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Belize El Salvador Mexico Nicaragua

General Information

The Bracteate Chysis is a large cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Belize, El Salvador, Mexico, and Nicaragua.

Plant Description

Grows to 50cm. Each new growth has numerous lance shaped oblong shaped leaves that grow to 6-40cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 4-30cm. The plant forms pendant or arching growths

Flowers

Numerous long lasting blossoms appear

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Perlite

Care Notes

This orchid goes into a dormancy phase during winter, during this phase it is best not to provide water unless the plant is starting to look thirsty. The lack of water increases the chance of flowering in spring, and also reduces the likelihood of any rot forming. Do not resume watering until new growth has appeared and is growing strongly.

Often a period of intense growth occurs after dormancy. During this time the amount of light, water and fertiliser the plant receives will directly impact the amount of growth that occurs during this time, and in the case of seedlings, will reduce the time required to reach maturity.

It's recommended to heavily reduce the water amount at the middle to end of autumn to trigger dormancy. Leaves on older bulbs will begin to drop during this time while the newer bulbs continue to mature until terminal leaves appear at the tip of the pseudobulbs.

Repotting can be done any time of the year though it's best to do it in early spring when new growth is appearing as this also means new roots will appear to help the plant anchor into the new media and offset any damage to established roots during the repotting process.

 

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 46mm to 335mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 78% to 83%, highest in June and lowest in October. Temperature ranges from 16C to 27C, highest in August (20C to 27C) and lowest in January (16C to 23C).

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.

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

Fertiliser

dormant-medium-demand-orchid 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

Due to the growth nature of these plants they are best mounted onto cork, tree fern slabs, or even trees if the climate suits. Water regularly especially in hot weather.

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