Trichocentrum luridum

Also known as: Mule Ear Orchid or Lophiaris lurida Bee Swarm Orchid Popcorn Orchid in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Chiapas - Mexico Departamento de Copan - Honduras Departamento del Huila - Colombia Guatemala Guerrero - Mexico Guyana Mato Grosso do Sul - Brazil Nayarit - Mexico Oaxaca - Mexico Parana - Brazil Sao Paulo - Brazil Veracruz - Mexico

General Information

Mule Ear Orchid is a large cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Mexico, Honduras, Colombia, Guatemala, Guyana, and Brazil.

Plant Description

Grows to 30-64cm. Each new growth has a single leathery rigid, oblong shaped leaf that grows to 3.5-85cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1.5cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark
• Treefern
• Spaghnum Moss

Care Notes

This orchid goes into a dormancy phase during winter, during this phase it is best not to provide water unless the plant is starting to look thirsty. The lack of water increases the chance of flowering in spring, and also reduces the likelihood of any rot forming. Do not resume watering until new growth has appeared and is growing strongly.

Often a period of intense growth occurs after dormancy. During this time the amount of light, water and fertiliser the plant receives will directly impact the amount of growth that occurs during this time, and in the case of seedlings, will reduce the time required to reach maturity.

It's recommended to heavily reduce the water amount at the middle to end of autumn to trigger dormancy. Leaves on older bulbs will begin to drop during this time while the newer bulbs continue to mature until terminal leaves appear at the tip of the pseudobulbs.

Repotting can be done any time of the year though it's best to do it in early spring when new growth is appearing as this also means new roots will appear to help the plant anchor into the new media and offset any damage to established roots during the repotting process.

 

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 38mm to 508mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 82% to 90%, highest in January and lowest in April. Temperature ranges from 16C to 28C, highest in May (20C to 28C) and lowest in January (16C to 21C).

Watering

These orchids are sensitive to excessive watering and should only be watered when they look thirsty. Water infrequently and ensure that the roots are dry before watering. Keep an eye on them especially during hot weather as overwatering can lead to rot, whereas underwatering may result in wilting or shriveling, which while unattractive, will not kill the plant.

Fertiliser

dormant-medium-demand-orchid 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 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 well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.