Stelis megachlamys

Also known as: Stelis megachlamys ssp. teotepecensis Pleurothallis tuerckheimii h.f. alba Stelis megachlamys h.f. alba Dracontia tuerckheimii Dracontia tuerckheimii f. viridiflavens Pleurothallis tuerckheimii in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Guatemala Guerrero - Mexico Panama

General Information

Stelis megachlamys is a cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Guatemala, Mexico and Panama.

Plant Description

Grows to 30-75cm. Each new growth has a single leathery erect, elliptic, lance shaped, oblong shaped leaf that grows to 2-25cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 5.5-42cm

Flowers

Numerous short lasting blossoms appear

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Treefern
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

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 112mm to 335mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 80% to 87%, highest in July and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 8C to 23C, highest in April (13C to 23C) and lowest in January (8C to 19C).

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 year round. 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 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,

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually and in a pot the same size or only slightly larger than the previous one.