Galeottia fimbriata

Also known as: The Fringed Galeottia or Zygosepalum fimbriatum in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Departamento del Huila - Colombia

General Information

The Fringed Galeottia is a medium sized sympodial warm to hot growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Colombia.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 45cm. Each new growth has numerous leaves that grow to 8-40cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 3-5cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

Substrate(s)

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

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

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.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 1mm to 150mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 74% to 77%, highest in May and lowest in August. Temperature ranges from 21C to 32C, highest in July (23C to 32C) and lowest in January (21C to 30C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a constant supply of moisture, with a slight drying out between waterings. Saucers can be placed under pots to retain moisture during hot weather, however the saucers should be removed or let to dry every 1-2 weeks to prevent rot. Keep an eye on the plant especially in hot weather and look for cues of under/overwatering and adjust accordingly.

During Autumn, be sure to keep media moist.

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.

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

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,

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.