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, from the native range in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. In Mexico, the species' range reaches the state of Chiapas, where it develops exclusively epiphytic populations 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, ovoid to ovoid-ellipsoid, compressed, about 10 cm long, basally covered by several membranous, imbricated, distichous sheaths, bearing leaves in an apical position. At the upper end of these pseudobulbs, 2-3 leathery, erect, linear-ligulate, acute leaves of about 36 cm in length are inserted.
Cuitlauzina pulchella blooms from autumn to winter, on erect to pendulous stems 20 – 50 cm long, racemose, equipped with 3 – 4 triangular bracts, bearing 4 – 10 fragrant, non-resupinate flowers, persistent for a long period. The general white background of the flowers is often shaded with pink spots towards the marginal areas. They have a diameter of approximately 3 – 4 cm, and the labellum develops along an ascending trajectory, measuring about 2 cm in length and 1.2 cm in width at full opening. The callosity of the labellum is fleshy, well developed, yellow in color, with dark red spotting.
The light intensity requirements for this species range between 15000 – 25000 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 be within the range of 19 – 22 ℃ and nighttime temperatures of 9 – 10 ℃, with an amplitude of 10 – 11 ℃.
No variations in relative humidity are necessary for the successful cultivation of the species Cuitlauziana pulchella, a value of approx. 75% being sufficient throughout the year to ensure the successful cultivation of this recently discovered species with fragrant and long-lasting flowers, but it is recommended that at the end of winter and beginning of spring, the saturation value of atmospheric air humidity 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-sized 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 performed 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 the lowest frequency. Fertilizations will be excluded until new growth development is observed, at the beginning of spring, when the normal routine regarding waterings and fertilizations will resume.
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