Restrepiella ophiocephala

Also known as: Snake's Head Restrepiella or Restrepiella ophiocephala f. clausa Pleurothallis stigmatoglossa Pleurothallis puberula in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Belize Chiapas - Mexico Costa Rica Guatemala Guerrero - Mexico Oaxaca - Mexico Veracruz - Mexico

General Information

Snake's Head Restrepiella is a medium sized warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Belize, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.

Plant Description

Grows to 40cm. Each new growth has a single leathery lance shaped, oblong shaped leaf that grows to 1.3-20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 20cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Substrate(s)

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

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.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 8mm to 345mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 77% to 83%, highest in February and lowest in October. Temperature ranges from 16C to 27C, highest in June (21C to 27C) and lowest in January (16C to 22C).

Watering

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 annually and in a pot the same size or only slightly larger than the previous one.