Orchid Odontoglossum

Odontoglossum - a plant that belongs to the incredibly large and so beloved by all flower growers and gardeners of the orchid family. Of course, Odontoglossum is not just a species, but a whole genus, which, in turn, includes more than sixty-five subspecies. You can meet this stunning flower, in fact, almost everywhere. The only continent on which it has not yet been (and is unlikely to ever be) is Antarctica. However, the home and original place of growth of Odontoglossum is considered to be the central and southern regions of America, and, especially, their rocky and mountainous terrain. The fact is that Odontoglossum prefers to grow at an impressive height, since only there are suitable cold and damp conditions for it. The average height of Odontoglossum above sea level is one thousand seven hundred - three thousand meters, but this is far from the limit. Some individual individuals were found at an altitude of as much as five kilometers. By the way, this rather extensive family has as many as five subfamilies, but we will not consider them and dwell only on Odontoglossum ordinary.

Odontoglossum: orchid photo

Odontoglossum: a description of the orchid

Of course, when describing Odontoglossum, one should immediately pay attention to its most unusual and interesting part - the name. Yes, perhaps, among the flowers you can find a huge number of unusual names, however, you must admit that you don't hear something like Odontoglossum every day. So where does such an unusual and exotic name come from? It comes from ancient Greek words, because this orchid has been known to mankind for a long time. There are two roots in the word: odons and glossa. Translated into Russian, they mean teeth and tongue, respectively. Of course, this unusual name is directly related to how Odontoglossum looks like. The fact is that at the base of the lip of flowers of this genus there are small outgrowths, often painted in a yellowish-white color. Therefore, it is logical that they were called teeth. As for the tongue, it was called the very lip of the orchid. Despite the fact that the genus was known for a very long time, a botanical description was given to it only at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The discovery was made by a German botanist named Karl Kunt.

In the Odontoglossum Rada of orchids, there are plants that have a completely different principle of growth. Some of them prefer to grow, as we have already mentioned, on the mountain slopes, where it is cooler and wetter. However, there is such a Odontoglossum, which lead a completely different way of life and settle on the trunks and branches of trees, which also grow at a fairly decent height. However, the variety of species of Odontoglossum does not end there. If you ever have to choose which one to buy, then, believe me, your eyes will simply run wild. There are both small species and huge ones, scarlet and snow-white, and there are also very rare representatives of the genus, which, instead of growing on slopes or branches, prefer ordinary soil cultivation. However, since such species are very rare, the root system of this orchid is most often open.Its roots are very flat, fragile and delicate. You can also observe pseudobulbs, which have an equally strange flattened shape. If we talk about the average height of the plant, then it will not be possible to limit ourselves to some strict framework. However, Odontoglossum is never below twenty centimeters and above a meter. However, meter-long individuals are real giants, and therefore, when growing a flower, you should count on a height of about half a meter.

We talked so much about the place of growth, the name and shape of the plant, but we did not say a word about the most important part of almost any decorative flower. Of course, we are talking about inflorescences and leaves, as well as their unusual color. Of course, we'll start with the leaflets, since it's much easier to describe them. They have a very bright, rich and attractive emerald hue, practically without changing it throughout the whole year. This means that even when Odontoglossum does not delight you with its inflorescences, you can enjoy its beauty. By the way, one leaf can live much more than one year, looking very decorative throughout the entire period of its life. However, the longevity of the leaves depends solely on how well you care for the plant, and therefore only experienced and trained growers can grow real old people (in the good sense of the word). The leaves are located on the shoots, which form a very intricate and complex system. The shoot can grow in one direction, depending on what the plant needs more now: vertically or horizontally. Stems growing vertically are constantly overgrown with leaves. But the horizontal stems are responsible for the formation of pseudobulbs. Pseudobulbs, on the other hand, serve to form flower stalks on themselves, at the tips of which inflorescences of stunning beauty eventually grow. One peduncle can have from three to five lovely flowers.

If we are talking about a standard representative of the genus, then its bud looks something like this: it has about three true petals and one lip, at the base of which, as we have already said, there are small yellow-white processes similar to teeth. Real petals have a rather oblong shape, which tapers at the beginning and at the end. The two lower leaves are located at an angle of about sixty degrees to each other, and an angle of about one hundred and fifty degrees is formed between each of them and the upper one. The petals are often painted in very bright colors, close to shades of red: in scarlet, orange, yellow, pink, and so on. Moreover, on their surface, you can also find chaotic spotty patterns painted in a completely different shade. The lip of Odontoglossum has a much more variegated, bright and multi-colored coloration. Most often it is painted in three basic shades, each of which covers exactly a third of the lip. Of course, these shades are so diverse that it is simply impossible to try to bring some standards and norms. Almost every species has its own lip color.

It would seem that we have just met the perfect plant, but it has one major drawback: it is very rare and it is almost impossible to find it in ordinary flower shops. Nevertheless, there is no need to be upset, because now we are talking exclusively about natural varieties that are grown mainly in equipped greenhouses on an industrial scale. If we are talking about hybrid varieties, then it will not be difficult to find them in the store. And for some it may be a plus, because hybrids are obviously much easier to grow than natural species. In addition, they are absolutely no worse than the originals in their decorative qualities, and sometimes they can compete with them in beauty.In any case, if you want to buy Odontoglossum, you will definitely have a huge selection.

By the way, an interesting feature of Odontoglossum is that it blooms, regardless of weather conditions, season, and so on. Its flowering is almost arbitrary and depends only on when you planted the flower and how you tended it. It is also important to know that immediately after the end of flowering, Odontoglossum enters the so-called "hibernation" or dormant period. This happens approximately every eight months.

Finally, it is worth saying that, like absolutely any orchid, Odontoglossum is an incredibly difficult plant to grow, and therefore, if you are not completely confident in your abilities and do not have enough experience in handling orchids, then it is better to start trying out the abilities on a less whimsical and demanding kind.

Odontoglossum: orchid photo

Odontoglossum: home care

This task will be quite difficult, however, if you have had quite extensive experience with orchids, then you probably know what these plants love, and what are the basic rules for caring for them. However, as they say, repetition is the mother of learning.

Illumination

Of course, since Odontoglossum grows in the mountains, where sunlight is much less scattered by the atmosphere of our planet, then it needs quite bright and constant lighting. Nevertheless, direct, scorching rays of the sun hitting the flower is still highly undesirable, because this can lead to very unpleasant consequences, such as sunburn, which, unfortunately, cannot be gotten rid of. Therefore, the best windows for placing pots with the Odontoglossum orchid there will be the western and eastern windows. It is on them that the flower will receive a rather bright, constant, but, nevertheless, diffused light. However, you can still plant Odontoglossum on the south window, but in this case, you will have to make a lot of efforts to ensure that during the sun the flower is at least somehow protected. You can use completely different materials as shading. Even the most ordinary curtains or curtains will do. Also, tracing paper or the most ordinary paper will turn out to be a pretty good diffuser of sunlight.

Temperature

Fortunately for many, Odontoglossum is not the kind of orchid that requires a real tropical climate in the room it grows in. On the contrary, this plant is accustomed to cooler temperatures and cooler environments. Therefore, even in what we would call cold, Odontoglossum can be grown. Nevertheless, most likely, you have acquired not a natural species of Odontoglossum, but a hybrid, which means that it was most likely crossed with a thermophilic species, which gives the flower the opportunity to grow at room temperature. Thus, it should be kept at around twenty-five degrees Celsius in the summer. Deviations of two to three degrees are permissible. However, it will be much better if these deviations are directed towards lowering the temperature, because the most suitable for almost any kind are nineteen degrees, which, frankly, do not want to be kept indoors in the summer. However, in winter, this is the ideal temperature, which not only will not be difficult to achieve, but which will be extremely pleasing to the Odontoglossum orchid.

Humidity

Odontoglossum: orchid photo

Here in Odontoglossum everything is about the same as in any other orchid, because it needs air not just humid, but with high humidity. What makes it special, however, is that the humidity during the day and the humidity at night should be different. So, for example, daytime humidity should be around sixty percent, but nighttime humidity should be at least ninety percent.Of course, a slight deviation from the norm will not destroy your orchid, however, of course, the lack of moisture will certainly affect the decorativeness of the flower and its beauty. In addition, do not forget that the percentage of humidity should increase in proportion to the increase in the temperature in the room. So the room should be much more humid in summer than in winter. Talking about the methods by which you will ensure the required percentage of moisture content in the air, we are unlikely to open America to you. Of course, the most effective and efficient of these are still humidifiers and conventional spray guns. You can also put a small container with settled, soft water, which will evaporate over time. Of course, both in the spray bottle and in the humidifier, your water should be the same settled and soft. However, there is another very important point, which in no case should be neglected: moisture should not settle on the walls of the pot. This may well lead to partial decay of the root system.

Watering

Of course, watering Odontoglossum is no less important part of its cultivation than air humidity. And, like air humidity, the frequency and abundance of watering directly depend on the ambient temperature. Accordingly, the cooler the room, the less often watering is carried out, and the hotter, the more often. In addition, an incredibly important factor influencing the quality and efficiency of growth of this orchid is the pot, which must be designed in such a way that moisture does not stagnate in it. This is also greatly helped by good drainage, which simply must be provided to Odontoglossum. Plus, buying a double pot is a very good solution. Its design will allow you to use the water with which you water the flower much more efficiently, and also will not allow you to overmoisten its roots. The essence of a double pot, as you probably know, is that there is a flower in the upper pot, and water flowing from the upper container in the lower one. However, you should not rely on this pot, because the life of a flower depends no less on your attentiveness, and if you let the water stagnate in the pot, this will lead to disastrous consequences.

Now let's talk directly about watering Odontoglossum. First of all, you need to understand that the water should not be hotter than twenty-three degrees, but it should not be colder than twenty. In order to determine when a plant needs it, simply look at the soil. If you see that very soon the top layer will completely dry out, then this should be a signal for you that it is time to water Odontoglossum. It is also done abundantly. An even more clear signal that the plant is sorely lacking in liquid are its pseudobulbs. If they start to wrinkle and wither, then it's time to water. As for the dormant period, during it watering is performed much less frequently. The soil will dry out very slowly, and therefore the procedure is carried out no more than once a week.

You should also talk separately about watering young individuals of Odontoglossum. The fact is that their root system is incredibly fragile and delicate, and therefore watering should be carried out as carefully as possible. However, some experts believe that a hot shower with a water temperature of about thirty-five degrees will be a very useful procedure for such young orchids. It not only makes the plant much healthier, but also has a very positive effect on its growth rate and development efficiency. In addition, under the influence of this shower, leaves of the plant begin to grow very quickly and in very large quantities, and the duration of flowering is also significantly extended. And, of course, flowering itself is becoming much more frequent.However, there is also a very important rule, which in no case should be forgotten: the water used for this procedure should not be hard. It is best to use melted or infused water as they are much softer, but you can also use a mixture of distilled water and tap water. Also, in order to improve the characteristics of such a mixture, it can be boiled and filtered. In addition, of course, you can let it stand for at least 24 hours, which will make it much more suitable for showering.

Top dressing

Odontoglossum: orchid photo

The first and most important feeding of Odontoglossum is carried out on one of the first days after Odontoglossum leaves the dormant state. It is during this period that the plant most of all needs support and feeding with various minerals. However, instead of trying to mix a very healthy and nutritious mixture on your own, as many growers like to do, it is much better to buy ready-made fertilizer for orchids, which you can easily find in absolutely any flower shop. However, it is very important to use a much lower concentration of fertilizer than what is indicated on the package of the preparation. You need to reduce it at least twice. During the active growth of the flower, top dressing is done at least once a week, and when Odontoglossum blooms, the number of dressings is reduced to one in three to two weeks.

In addition, a very important point on which you definitely need to focus your attention is fertilizers containing phosphorus compounds. They are vital for odontoglossum, but it is far from immediately necessary to start using them. The first introduction of such feeding occurs when the stems of the plant that have grown in the current year have reached half of their final length. According to the calculations of scientists and professional gardeners, this is the ideal moment to start introducing a new fertilizer. No less important, by the way, are extra-soil top dressing. For example, spraying a leaf can be very helpful. However, it is best to alternate all of these methods so that the plant gets a little bit of everything.

Transplant and potting mix for Odontoglossum

It is worth paying attention to the fact that Odontoglossum is a plant that needs a regular and systematic transplant, and therefore this procedure is required at least once a year, since this orchid grows very quickly and no less quickly completely depletes all the nutrients found in her potting mix. So, as you understand, not only the old soil, but also the old pot is subject to replacement during transplantation. By the way, there is one very simple way to understand if your Odontoglossum needs a transplant or not. To do this, it is enough just to constantly observe the new stems. If among them you see one that has stopped in development, reaching five to eight centimeters in length, then Odontoglossum is most likely getting cramped in the pot, and this problem needs to be addressed immediately. Also, when transplanting, you need to separate all old pseudobulbs from the plant.

Important! The transplant can only be carried out if the temperature is not too hot. Otherwise, everything can go down the drain.

Now let's talk about the soil, since it, of course, must also be special and special. The main characteristics that a soil mixture for Odontoglossum should have are, first of all, lightness, as well as the ability to pass water and air well. In principle, a good solution would be to use ready-made soil mixes, of which there are incredibly many now. However, there are those who trust exclusively themselves and prefer to do everything with their own hands. For such principled growers, we have compiled instructions for preparing the ideal soil not only for Odontoglossum, but also for almost any orchid.That's right, the instructions, because there are only two of them, and you can choose any of these recipes, since they, in fact, have the same effectiveness.

• Mixed in equal proportions peat, crushed sphagnum and crushed charcoal. Such a mixture will not only be effective, but also provide protection against harmful microorganisms.
• Mixed, again in equal proportions, pine bark, coconut fiber, shredded fern roots and charcoal. Such soil will not only be beneficial, but will also provide your pot with a much more decorative and attractive appearance.

Also, of course, in no case should you forget that you must add a solid drainage layer to the bottom of the pot. It is also useful, although not necessary, to spread a small amount of crushed moss on top of the soil mixture, which will act as mulch. However, it should not be very thick. After the transplant, of course, you need to do the first watering, but this is not done immediately, but only a week after the procedure itself.

Plant propagation

Odontoglossum: orchid photo

The best time to breed Odontoglossum will not be any particular time of year or month, but absolutely any moment. However, believe me, it is much easier and more convenient to carry out this operation when a flower is transplanted. Thus, you, shall we say, kill two birds with one stone. As for the methods of reproduction, the most effective of them is, perhaps, the method of division, since it not only shows a remarkable percentage of survival rate, but is also incredibly easy to learn and execute. The most important thing is to divide the plant only if it has more than six formed pseudobulbs, since only then can you ensure that there are at least three pseudobulbs in each plot.

And, of course, it's not even worth talking about the fact that the entire operation is carried out with the utmost care and with tools specially created for it.

After separating Odontoglossum, the damaged areas should be treated with crushed coal, as they are incredibly vulnerable to viruses and bacteria. After disinfection, you can start preparing the plots for planting. To do this, first place them on very finely chopped moss and keep them in this state until new roots begin to appear. After this begins to occur, the plots can be planted in separate pots and looked after as full-fledged plants.

Pests and diseases

Odontoglossum: orchid photo

The most common misfortune that affects not only this type of orchid, but all of them, are far from diseases caused by viruses or bacteria, but insects. Most often, aphids, spider mites, scale insects and other parasites settle on Odontoglossums. In the early stages, when there are not too many of them, in principle, you can get rid of all of them with ordinary soapy water. However, if there are too many pests, it can be dangerous to use the same large amount of solution, and therefore you will have to resort to the use of insecticides, which many gardeners and florists do not like on the case. On the other hand, a healthy, but chemically treated flower is much better than a dead flower, and therefore we absolutely do not recommend that you completely abandon drugs of chemical origin. Just keep them in mind at all times as a fallback.

Another, no less serious problem is the careless attitude towards Odontoglossum, which most often manifests itself in the stagnation of liquid in the soil mixture. The plant may also get sunburn from excessive exposure to direct sunlight, but root rot caused by waterlogging is much worse. Fortunately, this can also be cured.You just need to use fungicides, completely digging out the root system of the plant. It also does not hurt to completely get rid of any possible source through which the disease could return, and therefore the infected roots and all the substrate are removed from the pot.

However, all of the above are fairly rare problems that you most likely will not have to face. But the problems caused by the human factor, and especially if you are a beginner, can be very difficult to avoid. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to avoid them, and therefore we have provided a list of them:

• If you grow Odontoglossum in a room where the air humidity is much lower than that indicated in our recommendation, there is a high probability that the flower will begin to behave very sluggishly, and its leaves will soon acquire the yellow color characteristic of withering plants.
• An insufficient amount of airing can also become a very serious problem, as it causes white spots to appear on the surface of the flower, which wrinkle over time and form "dried out" areas on the foliage.
• Also, as has already been said many times, it is imperative to avoid direct rays of the sun on the flower.

Odontoglossum: species and varieties with photos

Of course, the species listed below do not represent even a smaller part of the entire diversity of Odontoglossums that exist at the moment. However, if we were to describe each of the sixty-five existing species, it would not be convenient for us or you. Therefore, we have selected only the best Odontoglossums to make it easier for you to make the right choice.

Odontoglossum Bicton

Odontoglossum: orchid photo

Perhaps one of the most interesting and unusual features of this species is its pseudobulbs, which have a rather interesting flattened and twisted shape. The flower itself is quite miniature and does not reach a height of more than twenty centimeters. However, it is very beautiful, and its beauty begins with the leaves. They are significantly lighter than the standard Odontoglossum. Speaking of flowers, unlike the stems, they are rather large and reach at least four to five centimeters in diameter. Considering that on each peduncle they can be found in quite a large number, such a diameter is an extremely good result. No matter how paradoxical it may sound, however, the inflorescence in length is significantly (almost three times) larger than the rest of the plant and reaches a height of up to eighty centimeters. Speaking of flowers, it should be noted that they are very different from those buds that can be observed in natural representatives of Odontoglossum. The comparison should start with the fact that this species has five petals, not three, and it also has significantly smaller "teeth" at the base of the lip. However, of course, this species attracts not by its size and not even by the number of its petals, but by its stunning color. The leaves themselves have a scarlet-red hue with cherry notes. In addition, they have a rather unusual irregular shape, which, in fact, is difficult to describe in any way. As for the lip, it is not too different in color from all the other petals. Unless, in its range there is practically no white. Flowering lasts for about one and a half months: from the middle of the autumn to the beginning of the winter season, however, as already mentioned, it may well be displaced by external factors. However, during the first week, the plant will still remain nondescript, because it blooms rather slowly.

Odontoglossum pretty

Odontoglossum: orchid photo

This type of Odontoglossum, even with its name, predisposes to itself and beckons you. Perhaps it is really difficult to come up with a sweeter and sweeter name.However, it is quite justified, because the plant is really very delicate and pretty. First of all, this effect is achieved, of course, thanks to its snow-white color and the shape of petals, similar to angel wings. Pseudobulbs in this species are located very close to each other, and therefore the flower stalks are located very closely and magnificently. Flowers on these peduncles can be found in numbers from four to six. These flowers are quite small, but we have described them almost completely. The only thing we haven't said yet is the lip, which looks very unusual and interesting. In shape, it resembles an ordinary petal, but at its base lies a small yellowish formation, very similar to a tooth root. In addition, under the lip itself is the pink core of the flower, which, however, is practically invisible.

Odontoglossum Crispum

Odontoglossum Crispum: photo of the variety

Odontoglossum Crispum is perhaps the most colorful and beautiful of those that, in principle, are represented in this genus. Absolutely all of its parts make it special: from emerald-colored stems and leaves to the incredible beauty of inflorescences, which are somewhat similar to white handkerchiefs. The shape of the five absolutely snow-white petals is very wavy and changeable, which gives them a special charm. These flowers are combined into inflorescences of five to seven buds. However, the most beautiful part of Odontoglossum Crispum lies in the very middle of the flower: there is a lip, which, in fact, is somewhat similar to a butterfly that landed on an orchid to drink nectar. The red-yellow-burgundy color of this lip makes it even more exotic and special.

Odontoglossum lemon

Odontoglossum: orchid photo

This species is very fond of many flower growers for its incredible tenderness. None of the colors in which it is painted are overly bright or saturated. The real petals of flowers of this species have a very soft creamy shade, but the lip is painted in pastel pink.

Odontoglossum cordate

Odontoglossum: orchid photo

This species is colored in a particularly interesting way. The petals of its inflorescences are slightly pointed and very strongly elongated. However, it is the lip and its unusual color that makes it special. However, we must not forget about the petals, which are painted in an olive green hue and at the same time have a lot of maroon dots, forming a chaotic pattern. But the lip, not only is heart-shaped, but also painted in coconut white with small burgundy accents.

Odontoglossum large

Odontoglossum: orchid photo

We hope there is no need to explain exactly how this type of Odontoglossum differs from the rest. Well, of course, with its impressive dimensions. Most often, this species can be found in all kinds of tropical forests, at an altitude of two to five thousand meters above sea level. The homeland of this gigantic orchid is South America, and in our country, for some reason, it is one of the most popular species belonging to the Odontoglossum genus. Most of all, this orchid loves light, as well as regular airing and watering. Especially this species is used to extremely high humidity, and therefore be prepared to provide it to him before buying a large Odontoglossum.

By the way, for those who like not only to grow flowers, but also to understand them, let's say that Big Odontoglossum is a rhizome flower, but many of its rhizomes do not notice, since it is carefully hidden by pseudobulbs. Speaking of inflorescences, it should be noted that there are from three to four flowers in them, however, of course, a small amount is fully compensated by the size of these buds. The five real petals are completely different, but they also have common features: they are all oblong and have two colors.Three of them are colored olive green with a coffee strip, and the other two are almost perfectly evenly divided into two halves, colored coffee and green, respectively. The lip also stands out and does not stand out. It has the shape of an upside-down peacock tail and is painted white interspersed with small pink specks.

Conclusion

Odontoglossum is a wonderful species of orchid that was able to absorb such a huge number of completely dissimilar, but related species. Using the example of their cultivation, you will definitely be able to learn new things and comprehend hitherto inaccessible heights in the development of the science of floriculture. We hope that our article will greatly help you with this and will prevent you from committing sometimes stupid and rash acts, instead of which you will make exceptionally balanced decisions, thanks to which your Odontoglossum will not only bloom, but flourish. It remains only to wish you good luck with all my heart.

Orchid Odontoglossum: video about the variety