Comparettia pulchella

Also known as: The Beautiful Comparettia in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Departamento del Huila - Colombia

General Information

The Beautiful Comparettia is a sympodial cool to warm growing orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Colombia.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 15-18cm. Each new growth has a single leathery erect leaf that grows to 1.6-15cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 0.4-3cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

Climate

Grows at high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 64mm to 196mm per day, heaviest in May and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 69% to 77%, highest in October and lowest in January. Temperature ranges from 13C to 28C, highest in March (15C to 28C) and lowest in June (13C to 26C).

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. 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

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.