Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii

Also known as: Fitzgerald's Sarcochilus or Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii f. albus Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii f. aemulus Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii var. albus Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii h.f. alba Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii var. aemulus The Ravine Orchid in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Queensland - Australia

General Information

Fitzgerald's Sarcochilus is a small to medium sized monopodial cool to warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Australia. It is named after the Australian Botanist 1830-1892.

Plant Description

Monopodial. Each new growth has numerous oblong shaped leaves that grow to 1-20cm long

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Fine
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Sand

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 48mm to 163mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 57% to 66%, highest in September and lowest in April. Temperature ranges from 7C to 27C, highest in June (18C to 27C) and lowest in January (7C to 17C).

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

It's best to observe the root system when repotting and use that as a guide:

A plant with a short root system will do better in a shallower pot with a fine mix, or mounted on fern or cork supplanted with a good amount of moss or similar material.

A plant with a long root system often does well in a pot filled with moss or fine media, mixing in perlite and charcoal is always beneficial to reduce the likelihood of the mix becoming soggy and keeps it fresh.

A plant with a coarser long root system can be potted in a deeper pot, but with 2/3 coarse material such as bark, expanded clay, or coco chips and topped with moss or similar material. This will allow the moisture to remain inside the pot but give the roots air as well.

Repotting is best done annually.