A botanical species originating from New Guinea, described by Andre Schuiteman in 1989 (born in Amsterdam, 1960), a Dutch botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, where he works as the chief researcher in the department for Identification and Taxonomy of Asian plant species, Mediocalcar decoratum has a wide distribution within its native island, both in Papua New Guinea and in Irian Jaya, where it populates epiphytic stations at 900 – 2000 m, but it has also been reported at higher altitudes (2500 m).
A small-sized species, forming dense vegetative carpets and preferring climatic regimes ranging from warm to cold, it presents cylindrical to almost club-shaped pseudobulbs bearing 3 – 4 linear, almost elliptical leaves, subacute to obtuse, shortly petiolate, inserted in the apical region of the pseudobulbs, similar to the blade of a helicopter. The short apical inflorescence generally appears in autumn, winter, and spring on new pseudobulbs, represented by solitary, bell-shaped flowers that persist for a long time. The flowers are about 7 mm long, and despite the fact that there is only one flower per pseudobulb, a well-developed plant will produce numerous flowers that will bloom simultaneously. The small flowers, somewhat resembling miniature oranges, have yellow petal tips that are recurved outward.
The species prefers a light radiation level between 15000 – 23000 lux, which should be filtered or diffused, avoiding exposing the plants to direct sunlight, which can cause leaf burns. Gradual exposure of the plants to light is recommended, moving them to increasingly brighter areas until a purplish tint of the leaves is observed, a sign that the plants are receiving as much light as they need. At the same time, a constant air current is necessary to ensure the dispersion of thermal radiation and excess water.
Mediocalcar decoratum is a species with modest heat requirements, the recommended temperature range for its cultivation being 23 – 26 °C throughout the year as daytime temperature, and 12 – 14 °C for nighttime temperatures, with an amplitude of 10 – 12 °C.
Humidity will have values of 70 – 75% throughout the year, requiring a decrease to 65% for the period between the end of winter and mid-spring.
The recommended growing medium will consist of containers with reduced height, ensuring good drainage, or on wood roots or bark plaques, as long as adequate humidity is maintained, with daily watering and spraying, especially during hot summer days. Another cultivation option is the use of shallow pots or baskets, provided with loose substrate that dries quickly, consisting of mixtures of fine-grained bark, coconut fiber, gravel, perlite, the latter also having the advantage of cooling and aerating the growing medium while retaining moisture. Amending the growing medium with charcoal helps aerate it, reduces acidification, and, mixed with sphagnum moss, increases moisture retention, which can be a critical factor, especially if specimens are grown in environments with excessive dryness. It is recommended to change the growing medium as soon as its decomposition is observed, or at the latest every two years, especially if plants grow outside the intended container. Replanting will be done at the time new growths appear to increase the success of adaptation to the new environment.
Watering must take into account the rainfall regime of the species' area of origin, where rains are abundant throughout the year, except for a 2-3 month period of somewhat drier conditions during winter. Plants will be watered abundantly during the growth period, while ensuring good aeration of the environment to prevent root rot, with the intensity of water administration decreasing towards the end of autumn and throughout winter.
Fertilizations will be carried out at concentrations of 25 – 50% of the dose indicated on the packaging, throughout the year, except during the rest period, using either a balanced fertilizer or nitrogen-rich formulas from spring until mid-summer, and phosphorus-rich ones from late summer through autumn.
The rest period, associated with the cold season, will consist of a slight reduction in water supply, avoiding however the complete drying of the substrate. During this period, fertilization will also be stopped.
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