Chiloschista pusilla - Care and characteristics
Botanical species of the genus Chiloschista , was described by the German botanist and orchidologist Friedrich Richard Rudolf Schlechter (1872 - 1925) in 1919. The accepted synonyms for this species are Epidendrum pusillum J.König in AJRetzius 1791; *Limodorum pusillum Willd. 1805; Oeceoclades retzii Lindl 1833; Taeniophyllum pusillum (Willd.) Seidenf. & Ormerod 1995.
Considered as one of the Chiloschista species with the smallest flowers, measuring approximately 7.5 mm, Chiloschista pusilla inhabits the primary mountain forests of China, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Vietnam, at altitudes between 300 and 1500 m. The growing stations are exclusively epiphytes, on the branches of trees in humid areas, of intermediate jungles, between the areas of low altitudes and those of high altitudes.
Chiloscista varieties can be purchased here (link).
A miniature species, loving a cooler climate, compared to the other representatives of the genus, Chiloschista pusilla blooms frequently in the spring, with several fragrant flowers arranged on a pendulous, racemose stem of approximately 15 cm. The plant is presented as a root ball formed by flat, long roots, which emerge from a very short central stem, on which are inserted oblong lanceolate leaves, approximately 1.3 cm long and 0.6 cm wide, with a pointed tip and poorly developed petiole, which appear during the growth period and fall before the flowering period, which lasts from March to June. The small, cup-shaped, yellowish-green flowers measure approximately 0.75 cm in diameter. The base of the petals and sepals is covered with hairs with a woolly appearance. The oblong dorsal petal is concave, with a rounded apex and recurved anteriorly, forming a hood that covers the labellum and column, and measuring 0.3 cm long and 0.8 cm wide. The lateral petals, oval in shape, with beveled tips, are more or less anteriorly oriented and slightly recurved inferiorly. The lower petals have bevelled, rounded tips. The column is poorly developed, flattened, with a divided apex. The base of the labellum consists of short, hairy tubercles, and its disc, also covered with hairs, presents a knotty callosity, in the shape of the letter V.
For optimal growth, Chiloschista pusilla requires a light radiation level of 15,000 - 25,000 lux, preferring more shaded positions, with filtered or diffused light, and well ventilated.
Being a thermophilic species, the ideal summer temperatures will be between 26-28 ℃ during the day and 20-23 ℃ at night, with an amplitude of 5-6 ℃. The average temperatures during spring days fall between 29-30 ℃ during the day and 18-22 ℃ at night, with a daily difference of 12-8 ℃. For the winter period, temperatures of 27-29 ℃ during the day and 17-19 ℃ at night are recommended, with a difference of 8-12 ℃.
The atmospheric humidity required to maintain this species will be around 80% for the whole year, the species requiring high values for this parameter.
Due to the fact that this species does not produce leaves, photosynthesis is carried out at the level of the root tissues, an aspect that indicates the impossibility of cultivating this species or any other species of the genus Chiloschista in pots. Due to the fact that it does not tolerate rough surfaces, it is recommended to mount specimens of Chiloschista pusilla on bark plates or wood fragments with a smooth texture. Chiloschista species react badly to handling, and often removing specimens from the growth support will lead to their loss. As a rule, the breeder will decide to mount the specimens from the seedling stage, after removing them from the tissue culture medium (generally nutrient agar) and will position the plants on a support that will not be changed later. Carrying out these operations during the development period of new root growths will ensure the fixation of the support plant.
Irrigations will be abundant and frequent for the entire period of the year, but during the winter, for a period of 2-3 months, exceptionally in areas with a short photoperiod, they can be rare, but without establishing a period of its own - called stop irrigation. At the most, it can be decided to postpone watering for 2-3 days after the roots have sprouted. The plants will be kept permanently moist during the growth period.
Fertilization will be carried out during the period of active growth with balanced fertilizers, but at maximum dilutions of 25% of the dosages recommended by the manufacturer. During spring and until mid-summer, a fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content can be used, and from mid-summer until the end of autumn, fertilizers with a high phosphorus content will be used.
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