Restrepia muscifera

Also known as: The Fly or Restrepia muscifera f. dayana Restrepia muscifera h.f. pallida Pleurothallis dayana Pleurothallis xanthophthalma Restrepia shuttleworthii Restrepia muscifera ssp. shuttleworthii Restrepia tonduzii Restrepia powellii Restrepia dayana Restrepia xanthophthalma in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Chiapas - Mexico Departamento de Jinotega - Nicaragua Departamento del Huila - Colombia El Salvador Guatemala Guerrero - Mexico Honduras Oaxaca - Mexico Panama

General Information

The Fly is an orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Mexico, Nicaragua, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama.

Plant Description

Grows to 6.3-25cm. Each new growth has a single leathery thick, erect, elliptic, oblong shaped leaf that grows to 0.3-8cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 2.5-17cm. The plant forms clusters over time

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

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.

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 year round. 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 plant does well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.