The Calanthe Sedenii Harrisii orchid is a secondary hybrid, originating from the crossing of the botanical species Calanthe Vestita with the primary hybrid Calanthe Veitchii - in turn originating from the crossing 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 conducted research that led to the discovery of numerous species and genera of plants in Australia) in 1821, publishing his manuscript in the Botanical Register (also known as "Edward's Botanical Register" , illustrated horticultural journal, published between 1815 and 1847).

Beyond the aesthetic value of the taxa of this genus, the fame also derives from the fact that J. Dominyi, an orchid breeder, obtained the first artificial orchid hybrid by crossing some botanical species of Calanthe, obtaining the taxon Calanthe Dominyi (C. masuca X C. fork).

The distribution of the genus is associated with the southern hemisphere, the species being present in all tropical areas, with greater concentration in Southeast Asia. There are known taxa that even have a subtropical or tropical distribution, being found in China, India, Australia, Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and the 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 ("true" Calanthe ( gr. Eu = true, kallos = beautiful, anthos = flower), characterized by keeping the leaves throughout life , including tropical and cold-climate, terrestrial species - with a basal rosette from which the inflorescences emerge - and are devoid of pseudobulbs, and Preptanthe, which includes species of Calanthe with falling leaves during the rest period, represented by the cold season, which possess pseudobulbs with a role in the storage of nutrients and presents a constriction approximately 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 indicates the fact that there is a possibility that they are distinct genera.

Due to the complex origin of this taxon (grex), obtained from successive hybridizations of two botanical species, the phenotypic characteristics and culture parameters for Calanthe Sedenii "Harissii" are represented by the common elements in this sense, possessed by the parental species.

Thus, for this special and particular terrestrial orchid, the presence of large pseudobulbs (7 - 10 cm in adult size), voluminous, relatively conical, with specific longitudinal edges and grooves, covered by a membrane and presenting a transverse strangulation at approximately one third of at their peak. The large, corrugated or wrinkled, erect leaves, with obvious veins, of a relatively delicate consistency, compared to other orchids, emerge from the top of the pseudobulbs, where they are inserted through a narrow structure similar to a petiole. The erect floral stems, straight or sometimes arched, are inserted at the base of the pseudobulbs, bearing inflorescences composed of multiple individual flowers, grouped towards the top of the stems, white in color, with the sepals and petals narrowed and relatively similar in size, and the labellum visibly lobed, with 3 or 4 lobes that extend outward. One can almost always notice the presence of a basal spur and the labellum that merges with the column.

The flowering is slow, it takes place in the cold season, after the loss of the leaves, between the months of November and March. In this group of orchids with easy growth , the inflorescences persist for a long period of time, slightly exceeding a month or two from the initiation of the flower stalks, an action that brings satisfaction to the breeders and being known among enthusiasts as "Christmas Orchids" , due to the period in which reach the maximum flowering.

From the point of view of cultivation, Calanthe Sedenii Harrisii can be applied to the culture mode typical for the Cattleya genus, with strong to moderate light (25000 - 35000 lux), strong permanent ventilation and temperatures of 18 ℃ at night and up to 26 ℃ during of the day, to benefit from a vigorous growth regimen.

Being a taxon with seasonal growth, similar to the genera Cycnoches and Catasetum, it is recommended to make the growth process more efficient in the appropriate period, in order to obtain pseudobulbs as large as possible during the summer, by frequent administration of water and fertilizers . After the ripening of the pseudobulbs, the watering will be gradually reduced, until the leaves fall, at which point the water administration will be completely stopped.

The large, broad leaves are frequently attacked by mites, spiders, woolly lice, aphids, thus requiring periodic intervention by administering insecticides and acaricides.

The culture medium : the pseudobulbs will separate individually after flowering, and before the emergence of new growths in the spring. It should be taken into account that pseudobulbs older than 2 years will wither and rot, this aspect being part of the natural cycle of representatives of the Preptanthe subgenus. The roots of the pseudobulbs will also die in the cold season, during the rest period.

The substrate used must have the ability to retain moisture, but at the same time to quickly and efficiently drain the excess water, we recommend mixes specific to groups of orchids with terrestrial growth. They can contain fir or pine bark, sphagnum moss, peat, but also organic matter or horticultural soil. Calanthe sedenii "Harissii" lends itself well to hydroponic culture .

The recommended culture containers will be at least 30 cm in diameter, to facilitate the development of new growth.

Pseudobulbs without leaves and roots can be wintered in cool cellars, cellars or cellars, after flowering.

It is not recommended to water the plants before the new pseudobulbs produce their own roots, because the root formation process could be slowed down. Pseudobulbs are extremely fragile, and can split, separating into two pieces, when replanting. The upper parts of the pseudobulbs can be used for obtaining new growth, if they are dried overnight and then horizontally mounted on a layer of sphagnum moss, or another culture medium with similar properties.

The recommended humidity for this taxon will be between 40% and 80%, depending on the growing season.

Fertilization will be administered twice a week during the growth period, and will be stopped during the rest season, after the leaves fall.

In exceptional climatic conditions, when humidity and temperature remain constant, one can notice a continuation of growth without a rest season and, sometimes, without flowering, its initiation being closely linked to the presence of a dry season, as in the case of the Catasetines. In this case, if the initiation of leaf fall does not occur by itself, it is recommended to intervene by reducing and stopping the administration of water, a practice also applicable to species of the Dendrobium genus, from monsoon climates.

From the point of view of taxonomic classification, Calanthe Sedenii Harrisii belongs to the family Orchidaceae, subfamily Epidendroideae, tribe Collabieae, subtribe Bletiinae, genus Calanthe, subgenus Preptanthe.

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