Trichopilia: the birthplace of the flower and the rules of care

Trichopilia: the birthplace of the plant and climatic conditions

Trichopilia: photo of an orchid

Trichopilia owes its origin to Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia. In Panama, the plant can be found in the regions that border Costa Rica, at an altitude of 1700 m above sea level on trees that are covered with moss. Climatic conditions that are typical for the natural conditions of plant growth: The temperature regime for trichopilia should be within the strict limits of +7 +29 degrees.

• The humidity level must be above 80%. Moreover, this indicator should be maintained throughout the year.
• Precipitation from 10 mm - for February, up to 480 mm - for October.
• Temperature indicator (day / night) - + 24 / + 10 degrees for January, + 25 / + 13 degrees for April.

Trichopilia marginate orchids are characterized by flowering even in those gardeners who have just started growing this plant. if you often divide the plant, then you can get a large number of flowers.

Trichopilia: description and characteristics

Trichopilia: photo of an orchid

Trichopilia is a sympodial epiphtha, the height of which can reach 40 cm. The pseudobulbs are up to 8 cm long, up to 6 cm wide, have a dark gray-green color, have a fleshy structure, are slightly flattened, and grow in a heap. They can have an oblong-oval, elliptical, hemispherical shape. Each pseudobulb is distinguished by the fact that its base is covered with a pair of scales, which have a thin structure that resembles tissue paper, and these scales are characterized by rapid drying. The top of each of the pseudobulbs of trichopilia has a single elliptical-lanceolate pointed leaf, the length of which can reach 38 cm and up to 8 cm wide. The narrowing of the leaf begins towards the base, and a short petiole is formed. Peduncles begin to grow at the base of the youngest and most mature pseudobulbs, have a curved or hanging appearance. Each inflorescence has 2 to 5 large, magnificent and fragrant flowers, the diameter of which can be up to 10 cm.The petals and sepals are white or creamy white with spots of light pink or red, widely spread, long and narrow, have wavy edges ... The petals are slightly shorter than the sepals. The three-lobed lip is large, white or creamy white in color and pink specks. The lateral lobes of the lip curl up into tubes near the column, the middle part is wide, has wavy or corrugated edges. The throat of the lip is yellow or orange, sometimes there are red spots. The plant can bloom at any time. The peak of flowering occurs in March.

Trichopilia: care

Trichopilia marginata: video

Temperature conditions.

The plant has moderate temperature requirements. In summer, the temperature can reach +22 degrees during the day and +13 at night. The daily temperature drop is 9 degrees. The warmest day and warmest night, and therefore the largest temperature difference, occurs in late winter and early spring, as well as during drought. The coldest day and the smallest temperature difference occurs in the fall.

Lighting mode.

Lighting should be filtered and diffused. Trichopilia marginate should not be grown in direct sunlight. The plant needs constant and strong ventilation. The lighting should be bright because the thick foliage of the plant is prone to burns.

Water the plant.

In the wild, trichopilia cultivation should be abundant throughout the year, but the end of winter is characterized by short periods of drought. During the period from late spring to autumn, the plant substrate should be kept moist. The soil should dry out a little between waterings. At the end of the autumn period, new growth can reach maturity, and it is at this time that the plant should be watered less.

We apply fertilizers for the trichopilia orchid.

when the plant is in a period of active growth, it should be fertilized every week in ¼ or ½ the dose, which is indicated in the fertilizer instructions for orchids. At the beginning of this time, when the appearance and intensive development of new growths begin, it is possible to add fertilizers that contain a large amount of nitrogen. At the end of the summer period and with the beginning of autumn, fertilizer should contain a large amount of phosphorus to improve flowering, as well as to accelerate the ripening of young growth.

We are preparing the substrate.

For a trichopilia orchid, tree fern blocks are best, but the plant needs a high level of moisture. In the summer, watering should be done once a day. In hot and dry times, multiple watering will be required throughout the day. Undoubtedly, it will be quite difficult for flower growers to maintain the required level of humidity; it is best to grow in a container with loose soil. The soil must be able to quickly release excess moisture, and also include components that will help retain a certain amount of moisture, these can be sphagnum moss and perlite. It is also possible to add charcoal, which will help to improve the permeability of the soil, and will also protect it from acidification. It is also possible to use rhizomes of osmunda ferns or pieces of fibers of tree ferns as a soil for growing a plant. Regardless of the type of soil you use, the most important thing is a good drainage system. Transplanting a plant is only possible when the soil becomes poorly permeable. For transplanting, it is best to use the end of the winter period, before flowering begins, when new roots begin to appear.

Air humidity level.

For most of the year, the humidity level should be 85-90%. At the end of the winter period, the humidity level can drop to 65-70%.

Dormant period

Trichopilia: photo of an orchid

In winter, when the air temperature will be +22 +25 degrees, at night +11 +13 degrees, i.e. daily temperature drops will be about 11-14 degrees. To achieve good growth and development in the trichopilia orichid, you can provide the plant with a cold and dry dormant period for several weeks. In the wild, growing this plant species for 2 months at the end of the winter period is characterized by a small amount of precipitation. It is possible to obtain additional moisture as abundant dew. In winter, trichopilia needs a little water. The soil should dry out a little between waterings, but it should not remain dry for a long period of time. It is not necessary to allow the pseudobulbs to begin to wrinkle. Fertilization needs to be reduced or completely finished before new growths begin to appear and abundant watering resumes.