Sobralia powellii

Also known as: Powell's Sobralia in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Departamento del Huila - Colombia Ecuador Nicaragua Provincia de Alajuela - Costa Rica Provincia de Colon - Panama

General Information

Powell's Sobralia is a large warm growing epiphytic or terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. It is named after the American Orchid Collector early 20th Century.

Plant Description

Grows to 150cm. Each new growth has numerous elliptic oblong shaped leaves that grow to 5-18cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 150cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Treefern
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite
• Sand

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 36mm to 620mm per day, heaviest in November and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 77% to 89%, highest in November and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 19C to 27C, highest in May (21C to 27C) and lowest in October (19C to 25C).

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.

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 during Spring and Summer. 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

These plants can be sensitive to repotting though should not require repotting regularly. Repotting should be done when the mix has broken down to the point that it doesn't absorb water or holds onto water for far too long, usually the plant shows a decline in growth as well.

The mix should be free draining, with a blend of 30% inorganic ingredients such as coarse sand, gravel or perlite, mixed in with about 70% organic ingredients such as peat, leaf litter or decomposed bark. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they can vary wildly and may contain "wetting agents" that can hold onto water for loo long, causing rotting and stunted growth.

Repotting is best done annually and in a pot the same size or only slightly larger than the previous one.