Cyrtochilum meirax

Also known as: The Enchanting Cyrtochilum or Trigonochilum alatum Trigonochilum dodianum Oncidium alatum Cyrtochilum dodianum Oncidium dodianum in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Departamento del Huila - Colombia Ecuador Peru

General Information

The Enchanting Cyrtochilum is a small sympodial cool to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 10cm. Each new growth has a single leaf that grows to 1.2-7.5cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 0.3-2.5cm

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

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 10mm to 109mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 73% to 83%, highest in November and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 9C to 23C, highest in April (13C to 23C) and lowest in January (9C to 20C).

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,