Nidema boothii

Also known as: Booth's Nidema or Epidendrum paleaceum Epidendrum lindenianum Dinema paleaceum Encyclia paleacea Epidendrum auritum Nidema paleacea in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Belize Chiapas - Mexico Veracruz - Mexico

General Information

Booth's Nidema is a small cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Belize and Mexico. It is named after the English Gardener in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Grows to 30cm. Each new growth has a single lance shaped leaf that grows to 0.8-22cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 5cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear during Autumn

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Autumn

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

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 46mm to 335mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 78% to 83%, highest in June and lowest in October. Temperature ranges from 16C to 28C, highest in August (21C to 28C) and lowest in January (16C to 24C).

Watering

These orchids are sensitive to excessive watering and should only be watered when they look thirsty. Water infrequently and ensure that the roots are dry before watering. Keep an eye on them especially during hot weather as overwatering can lead to rot, whereas underwatering may result in wilting or shriveling, which while unattractive, will not kill the plant.

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,

This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually and in a pot the same size or only slightly larger than the previous one.