Pterostylis curta

Also known as: The Blunt Green Hood or Pterostylis curta var. grandiflora Pterostylis neocaledonica Pterostylis curta h.f. variegata The Small Pterostylis in the subfamily: Orchidoideae

Native to: New Caledonia New South Wales - Australia Queensland - Australia South Australia - Australia Tasmania - Australia Victoria - Australia

General Information

The Blunt Green Hood is a small to medium sized cool to warm growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Orchidoideae native to New Caledonia and Australia.

Plant Description

Grows to 30cm. Each new growth has numerous erect oblong shaped leaves that grow to 3-10cm long

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Fine
• Bark
• Perlite
• 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 71mm to 135mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in April. Humidity ranges from 61% to 70%, highest in October and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 4C to 22C, highest in July (15C to 22C) and lowest in January (4C to 12C).

Fertiliser

dormant-medium-demand-orchid 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

This orchid prefers a fine, well draining media. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they may have 'wetting agents' that retain water for too long. A simple mix made up of 20% sand, 50% peat or moss, with the remaining 30% made up of decomposed bark and leaf litter would be adequate. Adding some charcoal to the mix will also help it last longer.

Repotting depends on how wet the media is usually. Every 2-3 years would suffice, or whenever the media shows signs of clumping, staying wet for too long, or smells foul.