Huntleya

Family. Orchidaceae.

Origin. South America.

Description. Huntleya are medium-sized epiphytic orchids that do not have pseudobulbs. The leaves are green, belt-shaped, arranged in two rows, emerging from one another, up to 40 cm long. Peduncles are short, vertical, bearing one or several large flowers. The flowers are 5 - 7 cm in diameter and often have spiky petals in burgundy, pink, white, yellow, orange, lilac or purple. Some types have a pleasant aroma.

Height. Up to 60 – 80 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Daytime temperatures during the growing period should be between 18 - 22° C. At night, it is advisable to lower the temperature to 15° C. Plants can withstand hot weather with sufficient ventilation and air humidity. Huntleya does not have a pronounced dormant period. 

Lighting

Bright indirect light is necessary for abundant flowering. The leaves of orchids that receive enough light will be bright green, while with too much light they will have a yellowish tint. In the autumn-winter period, additional lighting with fluorescent lamps is possible.

Substrate

Based on sphagnum moss, fern roots and pine bark, loose, nutritious, with the addition of perlite to improve drainage. Add small pieces of charcoal to the finished mixture. The soil should be air- and moisture-permeable. 

Feeding

In spring, as soon as new growth begins, feed with a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content. When the bush begins to form buds, replace the fertilizer with a phosphate fertilizer, feed 2 times a month, diluting the fertilizer to half the recommended dose.

Looks great in a hanging basket. The flowers are suitable for cutting and do not lose their attractiveness in water for a long time. 

Flowering time

The end of winter - spring. The flowering period lasts up to 1.5 months. With proper care, re-blooming may occur within a year.

Air humidity

Do not water in winter, but spray regularly. Give this plant good air circulation. Place the pot on a tray of damp pebbles or use a humidifier. The pot can be surrounded with a thick layer of moist sphagnum. 

Watering

In summer, huntleyas are regularly watered and sprayed, and in autumn, watering is reduced. In winter months, watering can be completely replaced by spraying. After the buds bloom, the soil dries out enough, and then flowering will last longer.

Transplant

Replant after rest, if the pot becomes too small for the plant - approximately once every 3 years. Orchids prefer clay pots because their walls allow moisture and air to pass through. Dry, rotten and damaged roots are trimmed with sharp pruning shears. 

Reproduction

Propagated by separating daughter bushes during transplantation.

Pests and diseases

Plant rot occurs due to excess water. If the air is too dry, the buds may fall off. Flowering will not occur in poor lighting. 

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