Sobralia wilsoniana

Also known as: Sobralia triandra Sobralia sanderae Sobralia bouchei in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Nicaragua Panama Provincia de Cartago - Costa Rica

General Information

Sobralia wilsoniana is a warm to hot growing orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica.

Plant Description

Grows to 75cm. Each new growth has numerous elliptic lance shaped leaves that grow to 3-17cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 0.3-75cm

Substrate(s)

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

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 23mm to 249mm per day, heaviest in November and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 71% to 86%, highest in September and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 19C to 29C, highest in March (21C to 29C) and lowest in January (19C to 26C).

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

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