The Calanthe Sedenii Harrisii orchid is a secondary hybrid, originating from the crossbreeding of the botanical species Calanthe Vestita with the primary hybrid Calanthe Veitchii - itself originating from the crossbreeding of the botanical species Calanthe Vestita and Calanthe Rosea. The formula of this hybrid is as follows: Calanthe Rosea 25%, Calanthe Vestita 75%.
The Genus Calanthe was first described by Robert Brown (botanist and paleobotanist from Scotland, December 21, 1773 - June 10, 1858, who led research that led to the discovery of numerous plant species and genera from Australia) in 1821, publishing his manuscript in the Botanical Register (also known as "Edward's Botanical Register", an illustrated horticultural journal published between 1815 and 1847).
Beyond the aesthetic value of the taxa of this genus, its fame also comes from the fact that J. Dominyi, an orchid grower, obtained the first artificial orchid hybrid by crossing botanical species of Calanthe, obtaining the taxon Calanthe Dominyi (C. masuca X C. furcata).
The distribution of the genus is associated with the southern hemisphere, the species being present in all tropical zones, with a higher concentration in Southeast Asia. Known taxa even have subtropical or tropical distribution, being found in China, India, Australia, Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and various islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Within the genus Calanthe, which includes almost 220 species and horticultural taxa, there are two subgenera, namely Eucalanthe (the “true” Calanthe (gr. Eu= true, kallos= beautiful, anthos= flower), characterized by retaining leaves throughout their life, including tropical and cold climate species, terrestrial - with a basal rosette from which the inflorescences emerge - and lacking pseudobulbs, and Preptanthe, which includes Calanthe species with deciduous leaves during the dormant period, represented by the cold season, possessing pseudobulbs that store nutrients and showing a constriction about one third from their tip, and the floral stems emerge from the base of the leafless pseudobulbs.
The two subgenera of Calanthe cannot reproduce to form hybrids, this aspect probably indicating that there is a possibility that they are distinct genera.
Due to the complex origin of this taxon (grex), obtained through successive hybridizations of two botanical species, the phenotypic characteristics and cultivation parameters for Calanthe Sedenii “Harissii” are represented by the common elements in this regard, held by the parental species.
Thus, for this special and particular terrestrial orchid, the presence of large pseudobulbs (7 - 10 cm at adult size) is notable, voluminous, relatively conical, with specific longitudinal edges and grooves, covered by a membrane and showing a transverse constriction about one third from their tip. The large, corrugated or ridged, erect leaves, with evident veins, of relatively delicate consistency compared to other orchids, emerge from the top of the pseudobulbs, where they insert through a narrowed structure similar to a petiole. The erect floral stems, straight or sometimes curved, insert at the base of the pseudobulbs, bearing inflorescences composed of multiple individual flowers, grouped towards the tip of the stems, white in color, with narrow sepals and petals relatively similar in size, and a visibly lobed labellum, with 3 or 4 lobes extending outward. The presence of a basal spur and the labellum fused with the column is almost always noted.
Flowering is slow, occurring in the cold season, after leaf loss, between November and March. In this group of easy-growing orchids, the inflorescences persist for a long period, easily exceeding one or two months from the initiation of the flower spikes, an action that brings satisfaction to growers and is known among enthusiasts as "Christmas Orchids", due to the period in which they reach their flowering peak.
From the cultivation point of view, the typical culture method for the genus Cattleya can be applied to Calanthe Sedenii Harrisii, with strong to moderate light (25000 - 35000 lux), constant strong ventilation and temperatures of 18 ℃ at night and up to 26 ℃ during the day, to benefit from a vigorous growth regime.
Being a taxon with seasonal growth, similar to the genera Cycnoches and Catasetum, it is recommended to optimize the growth process during the appropriate period, to obtain pseudobulbs of the largest possible size during the summer, through frequent watering and fertilization. After the pseudobulbs mature, watering will be gradually reduced until the leaves fall, at which point watering will be completely stopped.
The large, broad leaves are frequently attacked by mites, spiders, woolly aphids, aphids, thus periodic intervention through the administration of insecticides and acaricides is necessary.
Growing environment: the pseudobulbs will be separated individually after flowering, and before the appearance of new growths in spring. It should be noted that pseudobulbs older than 2 years will wither and rot, this aspect being part of the natural cycle of representatives of the subgenus Preptanthe. The roots of the pseudobulbs will also die in the cold season, during the rest period.
The substrate used must have the capacity to retain moisture but also to drain excess water quickly and efficiently; specific mixes for terrestrial orchid groups are recommended. These can contain fir or pine bark, sphagnum moss, peat, as well as organic matter or horticultural soil. Calanthe sedenii “Harissii” is also well suited for hydroponic culture.
Recommended culture containers will have at least 30 cm diameter to facilitate the development of new growths.
Leafless and rootless pseudobulbs can be overwintered in pantries, cellars, or cool basements after flowering ends.
Watering the plants before the new pseudobulbs produce their own roots is not recommended, as the root formation process could be slowed down. Pseudobulbs are extremely fragile and can split into two pieces when repotting. The upper parts of the pseudobulbs can be used to obtain new growths if dried overnight and then mounted horizontally over a layer of sphagnum moss or another culture medium with similar properties.
Humidity recommended for this taxon will range between 40% and 80%, depending on the growth season.
Fertilizations will be administered twice a week during the growth period, to be stopped during the resting season, after leaf drop.
Under exceptional climatic conditions, when humidity and temperature remain constant, a continuation of growth without a resting season can be observed and sometimes without flowering, the triggering of which is closely linked to the presence of a dry season, as in the case of Catasetinae. In this case, if the initiation of leaf drop does not occur naturally, it is recommended to intervene by reducing and stopping watering, a practice also applicable to species of the Dendrobium genus from monsoon climates.
From the taxonomic classification point of view, Calanthe Sedenii Harrisii belongs to the Orchidaceae family, Epidendroideae subfamily, Collabieae tribe, Bletiinae subtribe, Calanthe genus, Preptanthe subgenus.
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