Gongora galeata

Also known as: The Helmut Gongora or Gongora galeata h.f. flava Gongora galeata h.f. luteo-alba Gongora galeata h.f. concolor Acropera pallida Acropera fuscata Acropera purpurea Acropera luteola Gongora galeata h.v. luteola Acropera atropurpurea Acropera sulphurea Acropera citrina Acropera flavida Acropera flavirostris Acropera loddigesii Gongora galeata var. loddigesii Gongora fuscata Gongora galeata f. luteola in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Chiapas - Mexico Hidalgo - Mexico Nuevo León - Mexico Puebla - Mexico Veracruz - Mexico

General Information

The Helmut Gongora is a medium sized sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Mexico.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 37cm. Each new growth has numerous leaves that grow to 4-32cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1.6-2.8cm

Flowers

Numerous long lasting, fragrant blossoms appear during Autumn and Spring

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Spring

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

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.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 8mm to 345mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 77% to 83%, highest in February and lowest in October. Temperature ranges from 12C to 23C, highest in June (17C to 23C) and lowest in January (12C 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

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. Reduce fertiliser when plant is dormant during Spring.

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 very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs.