Rodriguezia batemanii

Also known as: Bateman's Rodriguezia or Rodriguezia candida var. batemannii Rodriguezia batemanii h.v. gigantea Rodriguezia batemanii var. speciosa Burlingtonia rubescens in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Departamento del Huila - Colombia Region de Huanuco - Peru Region de San Martin - Peru

General Information

Bateman's Rodriguezia is a small to medium sized sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Colombia and Peru. It is named after the English Botanist in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 10-40cm. Each new growth has a single leathery thick, oblong shaped leaf that grows to 3-35cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 3-5cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Perlite

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

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 114mm to 632mm per day, heaviest in May and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 76% to 81%, highest in July and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 15C to 29C, highest in February (17C to 29C) and lowest in January (15C to 27C).

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.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer. Reduce fertiliser when plant is dormant.

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 well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.