Ponthieva racemosa

Also known as: The Racemose Ponthieva or Ophrys pubera Serapias pubescens Ponthieva lancifolia Ponthieva glandulosa var. macra Ponthieva guatemalensis Ponthieva racemosa h.v. racemosa Neottia glandulosa Ponthieva glandulosa Ponthieva costaricensis Ponthieva oblongifolia Ponthieva orchioides Nerissa glandulosa Listera pubescens Neottia pubera The Hairy Shadow Witch in the subfamily: Spiranthoideae

Native to: Alabama - United States California - United States Cuba Departamento de Huehuetenango - Guatemala Departamento de Tolima - Colombia Departamento del Huila - Colombia Florida - United States Illinois - United States Maine - United States Mexico Minnesota - United States Missouri - United States New Mexico - United States New York - United States Oklahoma - United States Panama Texas - United States Virginia - United States

General Information

The Racemose Ponthieva is a large cool to warm growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Spiranthoideae native to United States, Cuba, Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico, and Panama.

Plant Description

Each new growth has numerous elliptic lance shaped, oblong shaped leaves that grow to 1.5-30cm long

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Spaghnum Moss
• Sand

Care Notes

These orchids grow on the forest floor so are used to rich soil containing plenty of organic matter that is always moist (but not always wet), and prefer constant conditions in terms of humidity, temperature and water supply. They may not be as forgiving as epiphytes in regards to sudden changes in growing conditions so it is wise to ease them into new conditions over a the space of a few days, and repot as infrequently as possible.

Keep an eye on the plants condition regularly as they can decline suddenly if the conditions are not just right. It is more important to keep water supply constant rather than frequent - overwatering often causes rot which can quickly set in, especially in warmer conditions.

These can be grown in shady, moist areas in the garden, supplied they have protection from abrupt changes caused by the elements, e.g. dry winds, frost etc. Being grown around companion plants such as ferns and bromeliads will help build and retain the humidity they require throughout the year.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 112mm to 335mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 80% to 87%, highest in July and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 11C to 26C, highest in April (16C to 26C) and lowest in January (11C to 22C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

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 can be sensitive to repotting though should not require repotting regularly. Repotting should be done when the mix has broken down to the point that it doesn't absorb water or holds onto water for far too long, usually the plant shows a decline in growth as well.

The mix should be free draining, with a blend of 30% inorganic ingredients such as coarse sand, gravel or perlite, mixed in with about 70% organic ingredients such as peat, leaf litter or decomposed bark. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they can vary wildly and may contain "wetting agents" that can hold onto water for loo long, causing rotting and stunted growth.

Repotting is best done annually.