Polystachya zambesiaca

Also known as: The Zambesi Polystachya or Polystachya lawrenceana var. hislopii Polystachya phiriae Polystachya hislopii in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Malawi Mozambique South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe

General Information

The Zambesi Polystachya is a miniature sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 0.3-10cm. Each new growth has numerous erect lance shaped, oblong shaped leaves that grow to 0.5-11cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 0.5-3.5cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark
• Treefern
• Spaghnum Moss

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.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 20mm to 226mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 60% to 84%, highest in August and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 7C to 24C, highest in April (14C to 24C) and lowest in January (7C to 18C).

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.

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

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,

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Tree trunks or Fern slabs. Repotting is best done in a pot the same size or only slightly larger than the previous one.