Rossioglossum grande

Also known as: The Large Rossioglossum or Odontoglossum grande h.v. pittianum Odontoglossum grande h.v. zandhaghe Odontoglossum grande h.v. oditty Rossioglossum grande h.f. alba Odontoglossum grande h.v. excelsior Rossioglossum grande h.f. album Odontoglossum grande h.f. concolor Rossioglossum grande var. aureum Rossioglossum grande f. aureum Odontoglossum grande var. aureum The Clown Orchid In Guatemala Boca de Tigre in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Chiapas - Mexico Guatemala

General Information

The Large Rossioglossum is a medium to large sized sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Mexico and Guatemala. It is named after the Tiger's Mouth.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 48cm. Each new growth has numerous elliptic lance shaped leaves that grow to 7.6-38cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 6.4-10cm

Substrate(s)

• Medium
• Bark

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 high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 0mm to 279mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 72% to 84%, highest in September and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 9C to 24C, highest in April (13C to 24C) and lowest in January (9C to 19C).

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.

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,