Sobralia

Family. Orchidaceae.

Origin. Central and South America.

Description. Sobralia is a large genus of orchids, which contains about 120 species of terrestrial, less often epiphytic, plants. The stems are very thin, erect, and become woody with age and covered with brown bark. The leaves are green, thin, narrow, arranged alternately. Large, showy flowers appear at the top of the stems and resemble cattleyas. Shades of flowers vary from white to pink, lilac, cream, burgundy, yellow, green. The throat of the large corrugated lip is often colored in a shade contrasting with the main petals. The flowers are very short-lived, but open sequentially, their diameter reaches 15 cm.

Height. Depends on the specific type and can range from 35 cm to 10 m.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

The sobralia will appreciate the daily temperature changes. During the daytime, the optimal temperature is considered to be 21 - 25 ° C during the daytime.

Lighting

The orchid requires a brightly lit location with plenty of reflected sunlight. If there is a lack of lighting, artificial supplementary lighting with fluorescent lamps is used. With sufficient light, the plant's leaves will remain bright green and bloom profusely. 

Care

During the warm season, take your orchids out into the fresh air; in these conditions, they will receive a natural difference between day and night temperatures.

Substrate for orchids

Standard coarse fiber orchid mixture with a small amount of coconut peat, sphagnum moss, coconut fiber and small pieces of pine bark. To improve drainage, add river sand to the soil. 

Feeding

Sobralia loves feeding and will thank you with abundant flowering. Fertilizing is carried out in spring and summer with water-soluble fertilizers 2 times a month. In autumn and winter you can feed monthly.

Flowering time

Spring Summer. 

Air humidity

Sobralia can tolerate short-term dryness, but it is better if the air humidity is at the level of 50 - 70 percent. Choose a location where there is good air circulation.

Water orchids at home

This plant does not like waterlogged substrates - watering should be regular, but between watering the soil should dry out a few centimeters. In autumn, the frequency of watering should be reduced, and can be partially replaced by spraying. 

Transplant

The bush is replanted if it is necessary to change the volume of the pot or soil to fresh. It is better to use transshipment. It is better to cut off damaged, rotten roots when replanting.

Reproduction

By division during transplantation or by seeds. 

Pests and diseases

Overwatering and insufficient drainage cause plants to rot. Lack of light prevents flowering. The tips of the leaves dry out and turn brown when there is insufficient air humidity.

The main flower pests are mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites.