Prosthechea concolor

Also known as: Encyclia amabilis Encyclia pruinosa Epidendrum pruinosum in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Guerrero - Mexico Morelos - Mexico Oaxaca - Mexico

General Information

Prosthechea concolor is a sympodial cool to warm growing orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Mexico.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 22cm. Each new growth has numerous elliptic lance shaped leaves that grow to 1-18cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1.2-4cm. The plant forms clusters over time

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

Climate

These orchids thrive in hot, steamy locations, living in low altitude jungle areas where they often receive heavy sporadic rainfall, warm humid winds, and sunlight filtered year round by the surrounding growth. 

They can survive, but will often struggle if the humid, warm conditions are not met - roots will die back and leaves will thin out, spikes and buds can be aborted if conditions change too frequently during flowering. They can tolerate cooler or drier conditions temporarily, but extended exposure will seriously affect them.

They will grow best in the tropics, especially coastal areas where they receive ocean breezes, but can do well in a greenhouse, supplied that the humidity is kept high, temperature is not allowed to skyrocket and extra shade is provided during hot weather.

 

Grows at high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 3mm to 170mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 55% to 75%, highest in September and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 7C to 29C, highest in April (14C to 29C) and lowest in January (7C to 23C).

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

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. Repotting is best done annually.