Odontoglossums come from the New World and nearly all are high altitude plants from the Andes. Although they grow close to the equator there, they enjoy the cool, airy conditions of the cloud forest high in the mountains, where there is little difference between the seasons and the days remain the same length all the year round. This produces an ideal climate of permanent ‘spring‘ where the days are never too hot or the nights too cold. From this idyllic region come the Odontoglossums which are the most popular among thousands of different orchids. The modern hybrids produced in cultivation far from their natural habitat acclimatise easily to a temperate climate, provided they are given plenty of fresh air to keep them cool in the summer and artificial heat during the winter. Because these conditions are not easily met in the home, they are not very successful as house plants. However, when Odontoglossums are crossed with closely related genera, hybrids are produced with a vigour which makes them far more suitable for indoor growing.
Not all the Odontoglossums originate from South America: there is a large branch of this family which comes from north of the Panama Isthmus, including the region up through Guatemala to Mexico. Naturally, with such a wide distribution there is considerable variation in the habit of the plants and type of flowers they produce, although all require similar culture.
Odontoglossums are bulbous orchids, producing a new bulb each growing season. A flowering sized plant may consist of four or five bulbs with a new growth. As the young plant progresses to maturity, each bulb produced is larger and more vigorous than the previous one, but this is only achieved with correct culture! Each bulb may carry two or three leaves which will last for several years, the old bulbs shedding their leaves first. An average plant consisting of five bulbs will probably have two without leaf, the three younger bulbs carrying between six and ten leaves between them. As the new growth reaches maturity and develops its bulb, the flower spike will appear from the base. Depending upon the variety it may carry from two to three or up to a dozen or more flowers, often on a tall arching spray. The flowering period is mainly during the spring or autumn months.
Before discussing the best plants to grow and the hybrids within this genus it is important to look at two other related genera with which Odontoglossums will interbreed to produce much easier plants to grow.
Miltonias, particularly the soft leaved varieties, come from the same Andean rain forest as the Odontoglossums, where they also grow upon the trees as epiphytes. They have achieved a similar habit of growth although with smaller bulbs and much more foliage, which is a beautiful soft green. Their flamboyant blooms are large and rounded and extremely colourful, and Miltonias are often called the ‘pansy orchid‘ owing to the large round shape of the flower which resembles this popular bedding plant.
Oncidiums are a much larger genus with a greater diversity of flower, colour, shape and size, and are widely distributed throughout the tropics of both North and South America. Their habit of growth and structure of bulbs more closely resembles the species among the Odontoglossums.
Among the Odontoglossum species there are still quite a number which are obtainable and suitable for growing indoors. Although becoming scarce in the wild they propagate readily in the commercial greenhouses, and in this way their stocks are maintained. Odontoglossum grande is a beautiful orchid which, with a couple of others, stands apart from the rest of the orchids in this genus. Originally from Guatemala, it produces dark green pseudo bulbs and thick broad leaves. The flowers, which appear in the autumn, are huge, up to 12 cm (5 in.) across, and highly glossed. Three to five can be produced on a stem. They are boldly coloured yellow, barred with rich chestnut, and in the centre of the flower can be seen a form resembling the figure of a man, which gives this plant its common name ‘clown orchid‘. Unfortunately, this species has resisted just about all attempts to hybridise it, and there are few hybrids. Those which have been produced do not compare with the beauty of the species. The plant starts its new growth late in the spring after its winter rest and should be kept watered throughout the summer growing season. With the approach of autumn the bulb matures and the flower spike emerges. After flowering, the mature bulb goes into its rest for the winter. It is important to give this species a complete rest, keeping it in a dry state in full light. This winter treatment is essential to ensure flowering thefollowing year; if insufficient light is given during the winter, it will be unlikely to bloom. Being a very cool growing orchid it is best housed in a window where the light is good all the year round.
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
High Alti¬tude Orchids Odontoglossums and their allied hybrids
- Widely Distributed Orchids Cymbidiums
- High Alti¬tude Orchids Odontoglossums and their allied hybrids continue...
- Care of Orchid foliage and flowers
- Watering Orchids in the Home continue...
- Orchids Indoor growing cases
- Jungles Beauty: Cattleyas and their allied hybrids
- Lycastes Caring and Planting
- Caring for Orchids in the Home continue...
- Watering Orchids in the Home
- All about growing Orchids
Leave a Reply