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 serves as the lead researcher in the department for Identification and Taxonomy of Asian plant species, Mediocalcar decoratum has a wide distribution across its native island, both in Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya, where it inhabits epiphytic stations at 900 – 2000 m, but has also been reported at higher altitudes (2500 m).
A small-sized species forming dense vegetative mats and preferring climates ranging from warm to cool, it features cylindrical to almost club-shaped pseudobulbs bearing 3 – 4 linear, almost elliptical, subacute to obtuse leaves, shortly petiolate, inserted at the apical region of the pseudobulbs, resembling a helicopter rotor. The short apical inflorescence generally appears in autumn, winter, and spring on new pseudobulbs, consisting of solitary, bell-shaped flowers that persist for a long time. The flowers are about 7 mm long, and although there is only one flower per pseudobulb, a well-developed plant will produce numerous flowers blooming simultaneously. The small flowers, somewhat resembling miniature oranges, have yellow petal tips that curve outward.
The species prefers a light radiation level between 15,000 – 23,000 lux, which should be filtered or diffused, avoiding direct sunlight exposure that can cause leaf burns. Gradual exposure of the plants to light is recommended, moving them to increasingly brighter areas until a purplish tint on the leaves is observed, indicating the plants are receiving the right amount of light. At the same time, a constant airflow is necessary to ensure the dispersion of thermal radiation and excess moisture.
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 a variation of 10 – 12 °C.
Humidity should be maintained at 70–75% throughout the year, requiring a decrease to 65% during the period from late winter to mid-spring.
The recommended growing environment consists of shallow containers that provide good drainage, or on wood roots or bark plaques, as long as adequate humidity is maintained with daily watering and misting, especially during hot summer days. Another cultivation option is using shallow pots or baskets filled with loose, fast-drying substrate made of fine bark mixtures, coconut fiber, gravel, and perlite, which also cools and aerates 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 critical, especially if specimens are grown in excessively dry environments. It is recommended to change the growing medium as soon as decomposition is noticed, or at the latest every two years, especially if plants grow outside their intended container. Repotting should be done when new growth appears to increase adaptation success to the new environment.
Watering should take into account the rainfall pattern of the species' native area, where rains are abundant throughout the year, except for a 2-3 month drier period during winter. Plants should be watered abundantly during the growth period, ensuring good aeration of the environment to prevent root rot, with watering intensity 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 resting period. You can use either a balanced fertilizer or nitrogen-rich formulas from spring until mid-summer, and phosphorus-rich ones from late summer through autumn.
The resting period, associated with the cold season, will consist of a slight reduction in water supply, while avoiding complete drying of the substrate. During this period, fertilization will also be stopped.
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