Pholidota protracta

Also known as: The Extended Pholidota in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Sikkim - India

General Information

The Extended Pholidota is a sympodial cool growing orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to India.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 18-91cm. Each new growth has numerous lance shaped leaves that grow to 8-13cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 4-10cm

Substrate(s)

• Bark

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 10mm to 551mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 67% to 86%, highest in August and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from -2C to 19C, highest in July (12C to 19C) and lowest in January (-2C to 13C).

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

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done in Spring.