Robiquetia spathulata

Also known as: The Sheath or Saccolabium densiflorum Sarcanthus densiflorus Saccolabium borneense Pomatocalpa densiflorum Sarcanthus castaneus Saccolabium acutilabrum Cleisostoma spicatum Cleisostoma robustum Aerides densiflora Cleisostoma spathulatum Robiquetia spatulata Rhynchostylis densiflora Gastrochilus densiflorus in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Bhutan Cambodia Myanmar Sikkim - India Thailand

General Information

The Sheath is a medium sized monopodial warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Bhutan, Cambodia, Myanmar, India, and Thailand.

Plant Description

Monopodial. Grows to 80cm. Each new growth has numerous thick rigid leaves that grow to 2-18cm long. The plant forms pendant or arching growths

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• 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.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 51mm to 254mm per day, heaviest in August and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 62% to 79%, highest in July and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 20C to 32C, highest in March (22C to 32C) and lowest in January (20C to 29C).

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.

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

Due to the growth nature of these plants they are best mounted onto cork, tree fern slabs, or even trees if the climate suits. Water regularly especially in 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. Repotting is best done annually.