A botanical species also known as Osmoglossum pulchellum, Odontoglossum pulchellum, Odontoglossum pulchellum var. dormanianum, Osmoglossum pulchellum f. dormanianum, described by Robert Louis Dressler and Norris Hagan Williams in 2003, native to Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. In Mexico, the species' range extends to the state of Chiapas, where it grows exclusively as an epiphyte in oak and pine forests at altitudes of 1400 – 2100 m, but sometimes also in wetter forests.
Medium-sized plants, fond of cool climates, reaching heights of up to 46 cm, with grouped pseudobulbs, ovate to ovoid-ellipsoid, compressed, about 10 cm long, basally covered by several membranous, overlapping, distichous sheaths, bearing leaves in an apical position. At the top of these pseudobulbs, 2-3 leathery, erect, linear-ligulate, acute leaves about 36 cm long are inserted.
Cuitlauzina pulchella blooms from autumn to winter, on erect to pendulous stems 20 – 50 cm long, racemose, with 3 – 4 triangular bracts bearing 4 – 10 fragrant, non-resupinate flowers that persist for a long time. The general white background of the flowers is often shaded with pink spots towards the marginal areas. They have a diameter of about 3 – 4 cm, and the labellum develops along an ascending trajectory, measuring about 2 cm in length and 1.2 cm in width when fully open. The labellum's callosity is fleshy, well-developed, yellow in color, with dark red spotting.
The light intensity requirements for this species range between 15,000 – 25,000 lux.
The optimal growth temperature will be 22 ℃ during summer days and 14 ℃ at night, ensuring a difference of 8 – 9 ℃. For the cold season, daytime temperatures will range between 19 – 22 ℃ and nighttime temperatures between 9 – 10 ℃, with an amplitude of 10 – 11 ℃.
No variations in relative humidity are necessary for the successful cultivation of the species Cuitlauzina pulchella; a value of approximately 75% is sufficient throughout the year to ensure the successful cultivation of this recently discovered species with fragrant and long-lasting flowers. However, it is recommended that at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, the air moisture saturation value drops to around 65%.
Cuitlauzina pulchella is usually grown in pots, the preferred growing medium being well-aerated, loosely compacted substrates with fine granulation, such as a mixture of coconut fiber compost, perlite, small-caliber bark, possibly ceramic balls, or other substrates that can ensure rapid and efficient drainage.
During summer and early autumn, in the native area, precipitation is abundant, but it is followed by a 6-month drought period lasting from late autumn to early spring. During the growth period, abundant irrigation is recommended, allowing only superficial drying of the substrate between waterings. When new growths reach maximum development in autumn, watering will be gradually reduced.
Fertilizations will be carried out during the active growth period, with a weekly frequency, at a concentration of 25 – 50% of the recommended dosage.
During the resting period, which will be ensured during winter, drying of the substrate between waterings will be allowed, but not for long, except for a period of about one month at the end of spring, when waterings will reach their lowest frequency. Fertilizations will be excluded until new growth development is observed, at the beginning of spring, when the normal routine regarding watering and fertilizations will resume.
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