Scaphyglottis aurea

Also known as: The Golden Scaphyglottis or Scaphyglottis ruberrima var. aurea Ornithidium ruberrimum var. aureum Scaphyglottis genychila Tetragamestus aureus Maxillaria ruberrima f. aurea in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Departamento del Huila - Colombia Ecuador

General Information

The Golden Scaphyglottis is a cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Colombia and Ecuador.

Plant Description

Grows to 100cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery rigid leaves that grow to 0.2-16cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 0.2-42cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

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 0mm to 201mm per day, heaviest in August and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 62% to 81%, highest in August and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 8C to 23C, highest in March (12C to 23C) and lowest in January (8C to 21C).

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.

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.

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.