Pholidota cantonensis

Also known as: The Canton Pholidota or Pholidota uraniensis Pholidota uraiensis in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: China Hong Kong

General Information

The Canton Pholidota is a small sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to China and Hong Kong. It is named after a province of China.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 6-25cm. Each new growth has numerous lance shaped leaves that grow to 10-25cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1.5-2.5cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

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. 

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 30mm to 394mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 67% to 83%, highest in May and lowest in November. Temperature ranges from 11C to 29C, highest in July (24C to 29C) and lowest in February (11C to 16C).

Fertiliser

These orchids do not need to be regularly fertilised and roots may be sensitive to salt build-up, dying back and therefore impairing the plants growth or even killing it.

If fertilising, use half to quarter of the recommended amount of fertiliser. If they receive fertiliser as part of a collection, be sure to flush out the pots regularly with fresh water and monitor the roots by checking how much resistance is given by the plant when nudged in its pot or mount. If the plant becomes wobbly or loose, repot in fresh mix or rinse the media/mount thoroughly and do not fertilise for at least 3 months.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength 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,