Mediocalcar decoratum Schuit.

국표에 없다.

Today we are talking about a splendid sympathetic miniature, from Papua and New Guinea. It is a ground cover orchid, it forms the clusters that are almost always in bloom. Its flowers have a very characteristic shape, which resembles a bell; they have about 6 mm in diameter. In the wild, Mediocalcar decoratum is found in mountain forests at an altitude of 900-2500 meters, where it grows as an epiphyte and, occasionally, as a lithophyte. It prefers shady and humid locations.
In cultivation it does not present difficulties as long as we can respect its needs regarding the preferred temperatures, i.e. intermediate-cold.

 

Classification

Family: Orchidaceae Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Podochilaeae Subtribe: Eriinae Genus: Mediocalcar Species: M. decoratum

Placement

Although it is possible to grow it in pots (choosing medium-small bark as a substrate), it is much better mounted bare-rooted. As a base for mounting it, you can choose a piece of cork or an Epiweb. When placed on a raft, the Mediocalcar decoratum likes a layer of sphagnum placed under its roots, as it helps to maintain the right moisture.
In the months when night temperatures do not drop below 13-14°C, it is recommended to keep it outdoors, in a semi-shaded or shaded position, protected from direct sun, winds and rain. If you happen to have a place in the garden where there is also a cool breeze, it will be perfect.

Temperature

The only difficulty in growing this orchid is the temperatures it requires: 18-20°C during the day and 14-15°C at night. As a solution, you can move it to the cellar for the night, then bring it to light during the day. First, however, the temperature in the cellar must be measured: if it is below 12°C, it is not indicated.

Air humidity

Mediocalcar decoratum needs at least 70-75% if it is bare-rooted. We can maintain them by spraying it regularly. If, on the other hand, it is placed in pots, 50-60% is enough; however, sprays are always welcome.

Light

It is not needed in a high intensity of light, on the contrary, its tender leaves can be damaged by excess lighting. It is a typical plant that thrives in bright shade, with 10000-13000 lux. The recommended photoperiod is 10-12 hours.

Wetting

Mediocalcar decoratum gets wet as soon as the substrate has dried well but before it has become completely dry. The aerial roots, produced in quantity, like daily spraying of 1-3 times a day (depending on the season and temperatures). Let's take into account that before the night the plant must dry, so you should not spray it during the evening. The last spraying must take place about 3 hours after the end of the photoperiod (so 3 hours before we turn off the lighting).
To see the details of how to water an orchid, click here: how to water an orchid

Fertilizer

This species is fertilized every 4 wets, with a liquid fertilizer for orchids. I recommend using 1/4 of the dose indicated on the bottle. To learn more about how to fertilize orchids, click here: how to fertilize an orchid

Flowering

The Mediocalcar decoratum can bloom throughout the year, as it has no resting period. As seasons, however, it prefers autumn, winter and spring. In summer, if the temperatures are too high for its needs, it stops not only the blooms, but also the growth. Its flowers are very long-lasting.

Mediocalcar decoratum Orchidofili Italy (orchidofili-italia.com)

Description

A unique species native to New Guinea growing at elevations from 3,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level. This plant likes intermediate to cooler temps but will tolerate some heat in summer. The creeping mat of foliage looks a bit like moss but when you feel the leaves they are stiff and hard. The flowers emerge usually in the spring but we have also seen them in the fall once things cool down. These plants can be mounted but really grow well when planted in New Zealand sphagnum moss. Water as the moss approaches dryness. This plant grows rather quickly into a nice specimen. The orange and yellow flowers look a bit like lanterns and last for a month or two. The flowers are about 3/8 of an inch in size. Grow in shady to medium light conditions and use clean water without lots of minerals in it.

 

https://youtu.be/R6rXxY4Nir8?t=242