Odontoglossum

The extensive genus Odontoglossum includes more than 200 species of evergreen orchids that naturally grow as epiphytes (they live on other plants and use them as supports). Odontoglossum is characterized by the ease of crossing with close genera, resulting in many highly decorative hybrids. Normal room temperatures, especially in winter, are too high for odontoglossums. It is this circumstance that makes them difficult in indoor culture. Flowers, as a rule, are collected in dense multi-flowered brushes of different sizes. Lip (lower petal that takes the shape of a lip) large, often with very large spots, sometimes differing in color from the rest of the perianth leaves. Odontoglossum Rossa, or Lemboglossum Rossa (Odontoglossum rossii, or Lemboglossum rossii), needs a cold and almost dry winter. The flowers have white, light yellow or light pink tepals, the lower part of which is covered with dark chestnut or red spots. The variety 'Gamburen' has flowers with purplish-red and white spots. Odontoglossum mottledum, or lemboglossum mottledum (O. maculatum, or L. maculatum), has fleshy leaves of elliptical-lanceolate shape. The flowers have chestnut or light- yellow sepals with reddish-brown spots (sometimes the base is separated by a green stripe) and yellow petals with numerous brownish-red spots below. Odontoglossum Schlieperum (O. schlieperianum) has belt-shaped leaves and yellow flowers with reddish-brown stripes. Odontoglossum uro-skinneri (O. uro-skinneri, or Lemboglossum uro-skinneri) has lanceolate leaves and flowers, colored from dark red to green, with chestnut spots and a stripe of the same color separating the base. The lip is pink with white spots or veins. There are a great many varieties descended from various species that belong to this genus, obtained by hybridization with species of other genera, for example, Cochlioda (Cochlioda), Oncidium (Oncidium), Miltonia (Miltonia). Therefore, odontoglossums now include many plants that differ markedly in shape, color, and appearance.

The extensive genus Odontoglossum includes more than 200 species of evergreen orchids that naturally grow as epiphytes (they live on other plants and use them as supports). Odontoglossum is characterized by the ease of crossing with close genera, resulting in many highly decorative hybrids. Normal room temperatures, especially in winter, are too high for odontoglossums. It is this circumstance that makes them difficult in indoor culture. Flowers, as a rule, are collected in dense multi-flowered brushes of different sizes. Lip (lower petal that takes the shape of a lip) large, often with very large spots, sometimes differing in color from the rest of the perianth leaves.

Odontoglossum Rossa, or Lemboglossum Rossa (Odontoglossum rossii, or Lemboglossum rossii), needs a cold and almost dry winter. The flowers have white, light yellow or light pink tepals, the lower part of which is covered with dark chestnut or red spots. The variety 'Gamburen' has flowers with purplish-red and white spots.

Odontoglossum mottledum, or lemboglossum mottledum (O. maculatum, or L. maculatum), has fleshy leaves of elliptical-lanceolate shape. The flowers have chestnut or light- yellow sepals with reddish-brown spots (sometimes the base is separated by a green stripe) and yellow petals with numerous brownish-red spots below.

Odontoglossum Schlieperum (O. schlieperianum) has belt-shaped leaves and yellow flowers with reddish-brown stripes.

Odontoglossum uro-skinneri (O. uro-skinneri, or Lemboglossum uro-skinneri) has lanceolate leaves and flowers, colored from dark red to green, with chestnut spots and a stripe of the same color separating the base. The lip is pink with white spots or veins.

There are a great many varieties descended from various species that belong to this genus, obtained by hybridization with species of other genera, for example, Cochlioda (Cochlioda), Oncidium (Oncidium), Miltonia (Miltonia). Therefore, odontoglossums now include many plants that differ markedly in shape, color, and appearance.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Odontoglossum can only be recommended to experienced orchid lovers. It is required to strictly observe the growing conditions - to control the level of humidity and light, as well as day and night temperatures. They are grown in pots and other containers (baskets, wooden boxes), often suspended. The soil should be special for orchids, fine-grained, very well drained (finely ground bark, osmunda or sphagnum). At the bottom of the pot, put a layer of draining material, filling the container approximately 1/3. The roots are spread out inside, and then fill the voids of the substrate and slightly flatten it. Add the appropriate mineral fertilizer for orchids (5-10 g per bucket of soil) and a preparation with vitaminb1, which is diluted in water (0.1 g per bucket). During growth, plants are fed 2 times a month with liquid mineral fertilizer in the amount of 10 ml per bucket of water: at the stage of active vegetation - with a high nitrogen content, and immediately after flowering - with an increased proportion of potassium.

Plants of the genus Odontoglossum can only be recommended to experienced orchid lovers. It is required to strictly observe the growing conditions - to control the level of humidity and light, as well as day and night temperatures. They are grown in pots and other containers (baskets, wooden boxes), often suspended. The soil should be special for orchids, fine-grained, very well drained (finely ground bark, osmunda or sphagnum). At the bottom of the pot, put a layer of draining material, filling the container approximately 1/3. The roots are spread out inside, and then fill the voids of the substrate and slightly flatten it. Add the appropriate mineral fertilizer for orchids (5-10 g per bucket of soil) and a preparation with vitaminb1, which is diluted in water (0.1 g per bucket). During growth, plants are fed 2 times a month with liquid mineral fertilizer in the amount of 10 ml per bucket of water: at the stage of active vegetation - with a high nitrogen content, and immediately after flowering - with an increased proportion of potassium.

Location

The place for odontoglossum should be chosen light, you can semi-shade, but not in direct sunlight.

Temperature

The temperature in summer should not exceed 20-22 °C during the day and 15-16 °C at night. The minimum temperature for most species is approximately 8 °C.

Watering

During active growth, they are watered abundantly and often with mandatory drainage. In winter, many species are rarely watered. It is also important to maintain moderate humidity (60%) by placing the pots on wet pebbles (or expanded clay) filled in the tray. Pet plants are sprayed with water, sometimes 2-3 times a day, in winter-rarely and only in the morning, without getting on the flowers.

Transplant

Transplanted in spring or autumn, you can annually, but better in 2-3 years, separating the old bulbs.

Reproduction

It is carried out by dividing the bulbs in spring or autumn. Before that, you can surround the bulbs with wet material until they have roots.

Diseases

These plants, which are particularly sensitive to high and low levels of light, temperature and moisture, should be carefully cared for to avoid rotting, yellowing, leaf spotting, etc. If the rhizome is rotting, cut off the affected parts until you reach healthy tissues, and then plant the plant back in the pot filled with a new substrate. Pests such as aphids and worms cause great harm. Remove them with a cloth or cotton swab soaked in alcohol, and then treat them with anti-aphid preparations or anti-coccidal agents. Thrips (white midges) can harm the flowers. They are disposed of with insecticides based on phosphoric acid ether.

Acquisition

Plants of the genus Odontoglossum are not easy to find. You should look for them in gardening centers and flower shops with a very wide range, or contact companies that specialize in the sale of orchids. Make sure that the plant is in excellent health.