Habenaria floribunda

Also known as: The Many Flowered Habenaria or Platantheroides herzogii Platantheroides odontopetala Habenaria autumnalis Habenaria garberi Habenaria herzogii Habenaria odontopetala f. heatonii Platanthera garberi Habenaria tetrodon Habenaria purdiei Habenaria selerorum Habenaria strictissima var. odontopetala Habenaria odontopetala Habenella herzogii Habenella odontopetala Habenella garberi in the subfamily: Orchidoideae

Native to: Belize Departamento de Jinotega - Nicaragua Departamento de Matagalpa - Nicaragua Guatemala Honduras Mexico Panama Paraguay

General Information

The Many Flowered Habenaria is a large cool to warm growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Orchidoideae native to Belize, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Paraguay.

Plant Description

Grows to 85cm. Each new growth has numerous erect leaves that grow to 3.2-15cm long

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant. The fragrance can be described as similar

Substrate(s)

• Fine
• Bark
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite
• Sand

Care Notes

These orchids live on the forest floor and keep tubers to store energy and nutrients during dormancy and poor weather. They are generally quite forgiving and usually thrive on neglect, as long as it's the type of neglect where they are forgotten to be watered or fertilised, as overwatering can cause rot, and excessive fertilisers can affect the fine root system.

They are quite forgiving when it comes to light and environmental conditions, as long as they have enough moisture in the soil to keep going. Damage to leaves from overexposure to light or dry conditions has no long term implications as the plant will withdraw back to the tuber and be replaced with a new plant in the next season. Just be sure not to overwater damaged plants as they will rot.

They will enter a dormancy phase where leaves are shedded the plant withdraws back to the ground. During dormancy tubers can be removed from the soil, kept in a dry cool place if required, replanting when new roots appear. However, most plants will do better if not disturbed, and replanting late can set back the plant and reduce the likelihood of flowering in the following year.

In many areas these can be grown in the garden, needing little maintenance. 

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 112mm to 335mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 80% to 87%, highest in July and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 11C to 26C, highest in April (16C to 26C) and lowest in January (11C to 22C).

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

dormant-medium-demand-orchid Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. 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

This orchid prefers a fine, well draining media. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they may have 'wetting agents' that retain water for too long. A simple mix made up of 20% sand, 50% peat or moss, with the remaining 30% made up of decomposed bark and leaf litter would be adequate. Adding some charcoal to the mix will also help it last longer.

Repotting depends on how wet the media is usually. Every 2-3 years would suffice, or whenever the media shows signs of clumping, staying wet for too long, or smells foul.  

Repotting is best done annually.