Ionopsis satyrioides

Also known as: The Satyrium or Epidendrum acinacifolium Dendrobium testiculatum Cybelion teres Cybelion testiculatum Ionopsis costaricensis Ionopsis testiculata Ionopsis teres Ionopsis pusilla in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Belize Departamento de Narino - Colombia Departamento del Caqueta - Colombia Departamento del Cesar - Colombia Departamento del Huila - Colombia Departamento del Valle del Cauca - Colombia Ecuador Guyana Honduras Jamaica Junin - Peru Mato Grosso do Sul - Brazil Panama Pasco - Peru Provincia de Cartago - Costa Rica Puerto Rico Region de San Martin - Peru Sao Paulo - Brazil

General Information

The Satyrium is a sympodial warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Belize, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Peru, Brazil, Panama, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 15cm. Each new growth has a single leathery rigid leaf that grows to 0.2-15cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 0.3-1cm. The plant forms clusters over time

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear during Winter and Spring

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Spring
• Winter

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. 

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 114mm to 632mm per day, heaviest in May and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 76% to 81%, highest in July and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 17C to 31C, highest in February (19C to 31C) and lowest in January (17C to 29C).

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

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,

This plant does well mounted.