Mexipedium xerophyticum
Also known as: The Dry in the subfamily: Cypripedioideae
Native to: Oaxaca - Mexico
General Information
The Dry is a sympodial warm to hot growing lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Cypripedioideae native to Mexico.
Plant Description
Sympodial. Grows to 10-13cm. Each new growth has numerous leaves that grow to 12cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 3-8cm
Flowers
Numerous short lasting blossoms appear during Spring
Blooming Season
- Spring
Substrate(s)
- Coarse
- Fine
- Bark
- Charcoal
- Perlite
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.
Climate
Grows at low elevations. Rainfall ranges from 38mm to 508mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 82% to 90%, highest in January and lowest in April. Temperature ranges from 17C to 30C, highest in May (22C to 30C) and lowest in January (17C to 23C).
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.
Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round.
