Gongora truncata

Also known as: The Supported Gongora or Gongora truncata h.f. alba Gongora truncata var. alba Gongora truncata var. leucochila Gongora truncata var. donckelaariana Gongora donckelaariana Gongora truncata f. donckelaariana in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Belize Chiapas - Mexico Honduras Oaxaca - Mexico Veracruz - Mexico

General Information

The Supported Gongora is a cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Belize, Mexico and Honduras.

Plant Description

Each new growth has numerous elliptic oblong shaped leaves that grow to 5-45cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 3.5-8cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Charcoal
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

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 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 16C to 27C, highest in June (21C to 27C) and lowest in January (16C to 22C).

Fertiliser

These orchids do not need to be regularly fertilised and roots may be sensitive to salt build-up, dying back and therefore impairing the plants growth or even killing it.

If fertilising, use half to quarter of the recommended amount of fertiliser. If they receive fertiliser as part of a collection, be sure to flush out the pots regularly with fresh water and monitor the roots by checking how much resistance is given by the plant when nudged in its pot or mount. If the plant becomes wobbly or loose, repot in fresh mix or rinse the media/mount thoroughly and do not fertilise for at least 3 months.

Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. This plant is sensitive so apply fertiliser sparingly at one quarter recommended strength or less. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

Due to the growth nature of these plants they are best mounted onto cork, tree fern slabs, or even trees if the climate suits. Water regularly especially in hot weather.

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.