Odontoglossum (lat. Odontoglossum) – a large genus of the Orchid family, including more than 60 species of various plants found in all corners of the globe. Most often, representatives of the genus settle in the subtropics on trees and in rocks. This orchid has an unusual flower structure. At the base of the lip, convex growths resembling teeth are clearly visible. The rich color range of the petals should also be noted. They also always have a dark pattern of spots and stripes.
Description
Odontoglossums are most often lithophytes that grow on trees. Some varieties are terrestrial plants. The roots are short, with slightly flattened pseudobulbs, on which there are small thin root processes. Orchids of this genus can range in length from 20 to 90 cm.
The leaf plates are elongated, leathery, emerald in color, with a sympodial growth pattern. The bush consists of many powerful shoots. Stems located horizontally form a root system, vertical shoots build up thickenings called pseudobulbs.
Odontoglossum orchids are among the most difficult to grow, so they are recommended for breeding only by experienced flower growers. To get a luxurious unique flower, you should visit a flower shop. But it should be understood that odontoglossums are not found in culture in their original form. For breeding at home, many hybrids have been bred, obtained by crossing with other varieties of orchids of the Orchid family. The most interesting ones are described below.
Types
The second name is “tiger orchid”. This is a rhizome plant with flattened pseudobulbs located on it. In total, there are 2 – 3 pieces on one copy. Leaves develop at the top of the pseudobulbs. The inflorescences drooping, racemose, consist of 3 – 9 flowers with a diameter of 11 – 14 cm. The petals are large, wavy along the edge, dark yellow in color with transverse brown stripes. The lip is light yellow or white with burgundy spots and streaks on the surface. Flowering occurs in autumn or winter. Lasts for a month.
Outwardly very original plant, reaching 18 – 20 cm in height. Differs in the presence of flattened pseudobulbs on the shoot. Leaf plates are formed in the lower part of the stem in 4 – 5 pieces and in the upper part at the bases of the pseudobulbs in 2 – 3 pieces. The inflorescence is loose, racemose, including several flowers 4 cm in diameter. The flowers are yellow-green, with brown and burgundy spots on the surface. The lower petal is white or light lilac, with a wavy edge. This species blooms from October to December.
The flattened pseudobulbs are closely spaced to each other. In the upper part of the pseudobulb, narrow linear leaf plates are formed. Peduncles are curved and develop in the leaf axils. Inflorescences are loose, racemose, composed of white flowers. The lip is widened at the top. At its base there is a yellow outgrowth and small red dots. Flowering begins in January and lasts until the end of winter.
It is one of the most beautiful species of odontoglossum, characterized by hanging racemose inflorescences, consisting of 10 – 15 flowers with a fringe along the edges of the petals. The color of the petals can be lilac and white. There are brown and burgundy spots on their surface.
Sorts
Currently, there are a huge number of odontoglossum orchid varieties on sale, which differ in a rich color palette, flower shape, plant height. Among the most popular in indoor floriculture are the following:
Care
Lighting. This orchid is photophilous, it can develop fully only with an abundance of bright light. However, it is necessary to protect the flower with delicate petals from the midday sun rays. The best place for it will be the windows of the southeast and southwest orientation.
Air temperature. This plant grows in nature in cool places, therefore it is not recommended to keep it in a hot room in an apartment. Usually an exotic beauty is kept in rooms with a temperature of 18 – 20 degrees. At night, the temperature should be lowered to 15 – 16 degrees. In winter, the recommended air temperature for an exotic flower should be 13 – 16 degrees.
Watering. When caring for odontoglossum at home, watering an orchid should be often and abundantly, but at the same time, excess moisture should always leave the pot. To avoid stagnation of water in the substrate, you should choose a pot with drainage holes for growing this culture. The earth should not be allowed to dry out, it should always be slightly damp. During the rest period, it is enough to moisten the substrate once a week.
Air humidity. For the full development of this plant, high humidity is required. When breeding odontoglossums, daily spraying or wiping the foliage with a damp cloth is necessary. You can put the flower on a pallet half filled with water and expanded clay.
The soil. Ready-made orchid substrate, which can always be found in specialized stores, is suitable. You can prepare a potting mix with your own hands by mixing in equal proportions pieces of coconut bark, chopped fern roots, and charcoal.
Top dressing. At the end of the dormant period, the orchid is fed with a liquid mineral complex. During active growth, the soil is fertilized once every 1 to 7 days, during the flowering period – once a month. It is recommended to alternate root and foliar feeding.
Transfer. The root system of this culture is developing quite quickly, so a transplant is necessary annually. This work must be done before bud formation or after flowering. When transplanting, the substrate is changed to a fresh one, a new pot is taken a little larger (2 cm in diameter) in size than the previous one.
The fact that it is time to transplant is evidenced by the appearance of a young shoot, which has reached about 7 cm in length.
Before placing the plant, a drainage layer is poured into the pot, then a loose, well-permeable substrate. During transplantation, old pseudobulbs are removed. On top, after planting, a layer of sphagnum is laid on the substrate, which allows moisture in the soil to remain longer. The first watering after this procedure is carried out in a week.
Below is a photo of the odontoglossum orchid, which proves that this flower is truly luxurious and unique: