Cuitlauzina pendula

Also known as: The Pendant Cuitlauzina or Odontoglossum citrosmum h.v. devansayeanum Odontoglossum citrosmum h.f. punctatum Odontoglossum pendulum h.f. album Odontoglossum citrosmum h.f. album Cuitlauzina pendula h.f. alba Oncidium citrosmum Oncidium galeottianum Cuitlauzina pendula f. rosella Odontoglossum citrosmum Odontoglossum pendulum Odontoglossum pendulum h.v. erectum album Lichterveldia lindleyi Odontoglossum citrosmum var. rosellum Odontoglossum citrosmum var. roseum in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Guerrero - Mexico Michoacán - Mexico Oaxaca - Mexico Sinaloa - Mexico

General Information

The Pendant Cuitlauzina is a small to medium sized sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic or terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Mexico.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 38cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery leaves that grow to 30cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 8cm

Flowers

Numerous long lasting, fragrant blossoms appear during Spring

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Spring

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark

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.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 5mm to 110mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in January. Temperature ranges from 6C to 30C, highest in May (14C to 30C) and lowest in January (6C to 23C).

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.

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

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 year round. 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 low Nitrogen fertiliser during Summer and Winter. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer and Winter.

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.