Hello Orchid Lovers!!
Welcome back to another detailed guide of growing and caring for wonderful orchid species. Thank you guys for your love and support, because it really encourages us to do what we love! We have brought you another article that will help you successfully grow and take good care of another wonderful orchid. That is Phalaenopsis Cochlearis orchid also known as “Spoon-like Phalaenopsis”. Without further due let’s dive into the guide!
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Phalaenopsis Cochlearis Inflorescences Photo Credit : gites_orchids |
- Whats is Phal. Cochlearis and why it’s special
- Similar names in different regions
- How to Identify
- Where to Find
- What time of year do they bloom?
- Characteristics
- Most Popular Phal. Cochlearis Primary Hybrids
- Discovered by
- Grow and care of Phal. Cochlearis orchid
- Light
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Substrate and growing media
- Watering
- Fertilizer
- How to repot Phal. Cochlearis
- Phal. Cochlearis Care FAQ
1. Whats is Phalaenopsis Cochlearis and why it’s special
This is yet another small-growing species that blooms in succession along long-lived flower spikes. The pretty, soft yellow blooms of Phal. cochlearis are quite large and possess a light, but pleasant citrus fragrance. Phal. cochlearis is an epiphytic as well as a lithophytic plant. In other words, this small sized orchid grows on limestone rocks and upon trees in forests. So this species is distinct from most phalaenopsis species and is a valuable addition to our collection.
2. Similar names in different regions
The common name for Phal. Cochlearis orchid is “spoon-like Phalaenopsis”. It has got this name due to the flower’s spoon-like concave lip. By the way p eople also call it as Polychilos cochlearis.
3. How to Identify
Where to Find ?
Phal. cochlearis is indigenous to Malaysia and Sarawak in Borneo. It usually resides in forests on limestone in Sarawak at elevations ranging from 457 to 610 meters. It also lives on the limestone cliffs of Bau, Borneo.
What time of year does P. cochlearis bloom?
Phal. cochlearis usually blooms during the spring and summer seasons.
Characteristics
- The Phalaenopsis cochlearis orchid is a small, hot to warm growing orchid.
- One speciality about this Phalaenopsis species is it is both an epiphytic and a lithophytic plant.
- In general it has 2 to 4, rarely 6, oblong-ovate to oblong-elliptic, prominently textured top leaves.
- The leaves are about 20-25 cm long and 8 cm wide.
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- Their inflorescences are suberect, branched, and in addition, slightly angled towards the apex.
- And also these are 30 to 51 cm long and composed of several flowers and hoodlike floral bracts.
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Phal. Cochlearis Inflorescences |
- The flowers are 4-5 cm in diameter.
- These star shaped flowers are widely spread and have a delicate texture.
- Flowers range in color from white to pale green, green, or yellow.
- And also both whorls’ petals are creamy-yellow with rust-colored stripes at the bases.
- The lip is a brighter gold-yellow with rust-colored stripes and a welter reminiscent of a snail’s shell.
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4. Most Popular P. amboinensis Primary Hybrids
Approximately, there are about 15 primary Hybrids of Phalaenopsis Cochlearis. Following are few of the most commonly found ones of them.
- amabilis x Phal. cochlearis : Viviane Dream
- amboinensis x Phal. cochlearis : Amblearis
- cornu-cervi x Phal. cochlearis : Golden Bantam
- equestris x Phal. cochlearis : Anthony The
- gigantea x Phal. cochlearis : Tridacna
- philippinensis x Phal. cochlearis : Austin Chow
- tetraspis x Phal. cochlearis : Tein Noi
- lindenii x Phal. cochlearis : Not registered
5. Discovered by
Holttum is the person who discovered and described this phalaenopsis species in 1964.
6. Grow and care Phalaenopsis Cochlearis Orchid
Please keep in mind that this cultural knowledge is only intended to serve as a guide. Therefore, you should customize them to your own requirements. Here you need to consider your geographical location, the time you can commit to maintaining the plants, and various other factors. Only then will you be able to decide which cultural methods are best for you and your plants.
Phalaenopsis cochlearis is an orchid that prefers consistently warm to hot temperatures as well as a very humid environment. However, you must provide the right amount of light, moisture, and temperature for these orchids to thrive.
Light
This spoon-like Phalaenopsis Orchid prefers a semi-shady environment with bright, filtered light throughout the year. However, in the winter the light level is a little lower in its natural habitat.
Temperature
The next factor is the temperature.The average daytime temperature is 29-30 ° C, and it varies by only 2 ° C throughout the year. And also the average night – time temperature remains the same and only varies by 0.6 ° C throughout the year. The daily temperature difference in the summer is 10-11 ° C .The average winter day temperature is 28-29 °C, while the average winter night temperature is 19 °C, resulting in a daily difference of 9-10 °C.
This orchid species enjoys similar temperatures throughout the year in its natural environment. In other words, this plant does not tolerate large temperature fluctuations.Therefore there is no drier rest period during the winter and temperatures do not drop during the winter. So in order to grow this orchid well, you will need to provide consistent temperatures with regular watering throughout the year.
Humidity
A humidity of 80-85 percent is required for the Phalaenopsis cochlearis orchid.Most importantly high humidity and adequate air circulation are essential.The amount of water and the humidity level should be kept constant throughout the year.
Substrate and growing media
To improve breathability, the substrate must be a mixture of 12-16 mm bark with moisture retaining additives or sphagnum with perlite or charcoal added. The substrate can be supplemented with small pieces of limestone.
Watering
It is important to keep these plants constantly moist throughout the year. It’s best to water it with warm water that’s around 21 ° C.
Fertilizer
Phalenopsis Cochlearis also benefit from fertilizer, just like most houseplants. Experts advice to apply 1/4 to 1/2 doses of fertilizer every week or every two weeks, during the growing season. This is beneficial to Phal. Cochlearis because it allows them to bloom in succession.
How to repot Phal. cochlearis
Repotting can be done after flowering or when new roots are actively growing, as usual. Please keep in mind not to shorten horizontal roots found in a large number of roots when repotting because they grow, age, and branch out.
You should choose a pot that is 1 inch larger in diameter than the current one. Remove the orchid from its current pot first. The orchid should then be prepared for its new home. Finally, put the orchid in the new pot and water it right away.
It’s better to place your Phalaenopsis in a location with warm, humid conditions that is shady but has some sun. As the frequent movement of the plant is not good for orchids, always try to keep them in a constant place where they can rest for a longer period.
7. Phal. Cochlearis Care FAQ
Currently there’s no FAQ for P. Cochlearis, This section is updated when people start asking for help.
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