Schomburgkia

Family. Orchidaceae.

Origin. South America. 

Description. The genus Schomburgkia includes 12 fairly large orchids, including epiphytes and lithophytes. The pseudobulbs are large, oblong, reminiscent of a bunch of bananas. Each pseudobulb bears 2-3 oblong green leaves. The leaves are glossy, slightly folded along the midrib. Peduncles can be either drooping, located below the leaves, or vertical - rising above the foliage to a height of 1.5 m. At the top of the peduncles is a branched inflorescence consisting of large flowers with corrugated petals and an oblong lip, rolled into a tube. The buds are white, orange, yellow, pink, lilac, burgundy, with a diameter of 3 to 10 cm.

Height. Up to 1.5 m.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Оптимальным температурным диапазоном считается диапазон от 18 до 24 градусов по Цельсию, а кустик будет чувствовать себя лучше, если ему обеспечить разницу между ночной и дневной температурой. Ночные температуры должны быть примерно на 5 градусов ниже дневных, например, от 13 до 16 градусов по Цельсию. В период покоя содержат в прохладном месте при температуре не выше 15 градусов по Цельсию. Schomburgkia tolerates an increase in temperature, provided that watering and air humidity are adequately increased, and shade from the scorching rays of the sun is provided.

Lighting

For abundant flowering, it is necessary to provide enough light, including direct sunlight in the morning or evening. On spring and summer days, this orchid needs to be shaded. The shade of the leaves will indicate a lack or excess of light. In the fall, in conditions of insufficient natural light, you can supplement the plants with fluorescent lamps.

Orchid substrate

The bush is quite easy to grow in a pot culture. The flower can be kept both on special blocks for orchids and in soil made of sphagnum, pine bark, fern fibers with the addition of a small amount of charcoal and perlite to improve drainage.

Feeding

From April to November, schomburgkia require regular fertilization with fertilizers specifically designed for orchids, diluting the fertilizer to half the recommended dose, as too concentrated a solution can burn the roots of the plants. During the flowering period, use fertilizers with a lower nitrogen content and a higher phosphorus content.

Purpose

Representatives of this genus look great in hanging baskets, and the flowers stay fresh for a long time after cutting.

Flowering time

Spring Summer. 

Air humidity

Like the vast majority of orchids, schomburgkia needs increased air humidity. In order to humidify the dry air of heated rooms, use a room humidifier, surround the pot with a layer of wet sphagnum or place the pot on a tray with water covered with a grate. Along with increasing humidity, it is necessary to ensure good air movement, which promotes rapid evaporation of water from the surface of the leaves.

Watering

In spring and summer, keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged. Excess water that appears in the tray after watering must be removed. It is advisable to use softened bottled or distilled water at room temperature for watering. In autumn, the frequency of watering is gradually reduced, as the orchids go into a dormant state. In winter, watering can be replaced by spraying. The need for watering in the winter months will be indicated by slightly wrinkled pseudobulbs. 

Transplantation

The need for replanting arises when the soil decomposes or the pot becomes too small for the plant and its roots protrude to the surface of the substrate. Adult specimens are replanted approximately once every 2-3 years. Replanting is carried out when new growth begins or after flowering.

Reproduction

Large plants are divided into several small ones when replanting.

Pests and diseases

Schomburgkias can rot if kept in poorly drained soil or if the room the orchids are growing in is not ventilated.

Pests that may appear include mealybugs and spider mites. If the flower is kept outdoors during the summer months, it may be attacked by slugs and snails.