Ed M
June 25th, 2005, 01:31 AM
http://www.merklesorchids.com/2Images/26JPEGS/mexipedium_xerophyticum.jpg
My Mexipedium xerophyticum has finally opened its first flower!
This neat little species was first described to science in 1990. It comes from a very isolated locale in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, where it grows on the steep North and East facing limestone cliffs at about 1000 feet elevation. To my knowledge, the discoverers have managed to keep the site a secret. It was first placed in the genus Phragmipedium, but a difference in ovary structure warranted placing it into a brand new genus.
The flowers are about 1/2 inch across...very tiny...and pure white with a dash of pink on the anther shield. The flowers are produced sequentially on a 6 to 10 inch inflorescence which is sometimes branching. The growths have a leafspan of two to four inches, with leaves very stiff and thick. The plant reproduces vegatatively by stolons that grow one to five inches long.
http://www.merklesorchids.com/2Images/26JPEGS/mexipedium_plant.jpg
My plant is growing in a 4-inch pot, and you can see one of the maroon colored stolons left of the base of the plant, creeping on the surface.
I grow my plant in a mixture of coconut husk chips and sponge rock with a top dressing of oyster shell. My plant grew well but did not bloom until I started using the oyster shell this past winter. I grow my plant in bright light of about 3000 footcandles, temps 60F to 90F, humidity 70% to 90%. In nature, this plant grows in an area that receives nearly 100 inches of rainfall per year, with most of it occuring from June to November. I try to mimic this by watering it nearly every day from April to November. From November to April I cut way back to watering just once a week. I fertilize with a weak solution of 16-4-20 Cal Mag during active growth.
A friend gave me a single growth of this plant about four years ago and it has grown nicely. I sold my only division to Rick Lockwood last year, and I think he said his in spike now too.[/img]
My Mexipedium xerophyticum has finally opened its first flower!
This neat little species was first described to science in 1990. It comes from a very isolated locale in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, where it grows on the steep North and East facing limestone cliffs at about 1000 feet elevation. To my knowledge, the discoverers have managed to keep the site a secret. It was first placed in the genus Phragmipedium, but a difference in ovary structure warranted placing it into a brand new genus.
The flowers are about 1/2 inch across...very tiny...and pure white with a dash of pink on the anther shield. The flowers are produced sequentially on a 6 to 10 inch inflorescence which is sometimes branching. The growths have a leafspan of two to four inches, with leaves very stiff and thick. The plant reproduces vegatatively by stolons that grow one to five inches long.
http://www.merklesorchids.com/2Images/26JPEGS/mexipedium_plant.jpg
My plant is growing in a 4-inch pot, and you can see one of the maroon colored stolons left of the base of the plant, creeping on the surface.
I grow my plant in a mixture of coconut husk chips and sponge rock with a top dressing of oyster shell. My plant grew well but did not bloom until I started using the oyster shell this past winter. I grow my plant in bright light of about 3000 footcandles, temps 60F to 90F, humidity 70% to 90%. In nature, this plant grows in an area that receives nearly 100 inches of rainfall per year, with most of it occuring from June to November. I try to mimic this by watering it nearly every day from April to November. From November to April I cut way back to watering just once a week. I fertilize with a weak solution of 16-4-20 Cal Mag during active growth.
A friend gave me a single growth of this plant about four years ago and it has grown nicely. I sold my only division to Rick Lockwood last year, and I think he said his in spike now too.[/img]