Phragmipedium wallisii

Also known as: Wallis' Phragmipedium in the subfamily: Cypripedioideae

Native to: Departamento del Huila - Colombia

General Information

Wallis' Phragmipedium is a sympodial cold to warm growing orchid belonging to the sub family Cypripedioideae native to Colombia. It is named after the German Orchid Coillector.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 36-61cm. Each new growth has numerous erect rigid leaves that grow to 15-30cm long

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 41mm to 518mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 72% to 84%, highest in June and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 16C to 28C, highest in January (18C to 28C) and lowest in July (16C to 25C).

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.

Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round.

Potting

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly