Lepanthopsis melanantha

Also known as: The Black Flowered Lepanthopsis or Pleurothallis floripicta Lepanthopsis quisqueyana Lepanthes brevipetala Lepanthes harrisii in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Cuba Haiti Jamaica

General Information

The Black Flowered Lepanthopsis is a miniature cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.

Plant Description

Each new growth has a single leathery thick, erect, elliptic, oblong shaped leaf that grows to 0.6-3.5cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 4.5-8cm. The plant forms clusters over time

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Charcoal
• Treefern
• 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.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 38mm to 213mm per day, heaviest in May and lightest in March. Temperature ranges from 7C to 25C, highest in August (12C to 25C) and lowest in January (7C to 23C).

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.

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

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.