Pholidota rubra

Also known as: The Reddish Pholidota or Pholidota undulata Coelogyne undulata in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: India

General Information

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

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 18-25cm. Each new growth has numerous lance shaped leaves that grow to 13-25cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1.8-8cm

Substrate(s)

• Bark

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 5mm to 818mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 57% to 86%, highest in July and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 2C to 24C, highest in April (17C to 24C) and lowest in January (2C to 15C).

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,