Cohniella ascendens

Native to: Belize Chiapas - Mexico Departamento del Huila - Colombia El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Oaxaca - Mexico Tamaulipas - Mexico Veracruz - Mexico

General Information

Cohniella ascendens is a large sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Belize, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 75cm. Each new growth has a single thick terete shaped leaf that grows to 1-75cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1-2cm

Care Notes

These orchids have a fine root system that can quickly die back if left dry for too long, but also does not like to be kept wet, so water regularly but ensure that the mix is dry before watering. 

Climate

These orchids thrive in hot, steamy locations, living in low altitude jungle areas where they often receive heavy sporadic rainfall, warm humid winds, and sunlight filtered year round by the surrounding growth. 

They can survive, but will often struggle if the humid, warm conditions are not met - roots will die back and leaves will thin out, spikes and buds can be aborted if conditions change too frequently during flowering. They can tolerate cooler or drier conditions temporarily, but extended exposure will seriously affect them.

They will grow best in the tropics, especially coastal areas where they receive ocean breezes, but can do well in a greenhouse, supplied that the humidity is kept high, temperature is not allowed to skyrocket and extra shade is provided during hot weather.

 

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 5mm to 175mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 63% to 81%, highest in October and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 15C to 30C, highest in April (19C to 30C) and lowest in January (15C to 25C).

Watering

These orchids are sensitive to excessive watering and should only be watered when they look thirsty. Water infrequently and ensure that the roots are dry before watering. Keep an eye on them especially during hot weather as overwatering can lead to rot, whereas underwatering may result in wilting or shriveling, which while unattractive, will not kill the plant.

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 well mounted.