Cyrtochilum ventilabrum

Also known as: The Wind or Cyrtochilum carderi Oncidium carderi in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Departamento del Huila - Colombia Piura - Peru

General Information

The Wind is a sympodial cold to cool growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Colombia and Peru. The name refers to the moveable lip.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 20-76cm. Each new growth has numerous lance shaped leaves that grow to 7-65cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 5-11cm

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 high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 46mm to 274mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 77% to 84%, highest in November and lowest in August. Temperature ranges from 8C to 22C, highest in August (11C to 22C) and lowest in January (8C to 18C).

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.

Fertiliser

These plants do well with slow release fertiliser at the rate of 2-3 pellets per cup (250ml) of media. Additional fertiliser during the growth period may be beneficial, but not necessary.

Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round.

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,