Cambria orchids (intergeneric) - characteristics and care guide

Orhidee Cambria (intergenerice)

The orchids from the Cambrian Notogen also include the following hybrids: Beallara, Burrageara, Colmanara, Miltonidium, Odontonidium, Odontoglossum, Vuylstekeara & Wilsonara.

Intergeneric hybrids - "Cambria" - Notogen Cambria represents the trade name for intergeneric hybrids obtained from the crossing of orchid genera belonging to the subfamily Epidendroideae, tribe Cymbideae and subtribe Oncidiinae, more precisely, Odontoglossum, Kunth 1816, Oncidium, Sw.; Miltonia, Lindl. 1837; Cochlioda, Lindl. 1853; Brassia, R. Br. 1813.

A notogen is known in systematics (more frequently in horticulture) as a genus that includes hybrid plants, most of the time coming from crossings of several species. It comes from ancient Greek, namely from nothos, which means bastard, and genos, genus.

The complete Cambria offer from Secret Garden is available here (link).

The first orchid of this type was obtained from the crossing of the species Odontoglossum crispum X Miltonia X Cochlioda noetzliana, obtained by Charles Vuylsteke in 1911, and named Vuylstekeara in his honor. Almost 10 years later, the Vuylstekeara Cambria Plush orchid was obtained, by crossing the hybrid created by Charles Vuylsteke with Odontoglossum Clonius, this hybrid receiving the award of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the American Orchid Society (AOS). Once the first steps in this direction were taken, the intergeneric crossings within the Cambria notogen took off, creating numerous spectacular hybrids, with impressive color and fragrance.

Notogen Cambria is distinguished by the presence of strongly flattened pseudobulbs, from which the leaves and flower stalks emerge. As a rule, the number of flower spots varies between 3 and 70 for each flower stem. At the end of the flowering period, the plants will produce new young pseudobulbs, which will follow the same development cycle as the mature ones.

The variability of the plants included in the Cambria notogen is particularly high, both morphologically and chromatically, generally including medium-sized plants, sometimes large, with flowers of intense, vibrant colors, such as deep red, dark red, purple, orange, yellow intense, white, provided with pigmentation in the form of dots, spots or lines, in colors as varied as those of the background colors, and mainly with strong contrasts.

Flowering can occur in any season, depending on environmental conditions. Growing Cambria notogen hybrids is generally easy, without raising particular problems.

From the point of view of the culture environment, although the Cambria notogen orchids are robust and resistant, there is a certain sensitivity of the root system, due to the small diameter of the roots and their fragility. Thus, opaque pots, not transparent, made of porous materials, such as ceramics, possibly perforated, will be preferred, to protect the roots from light, to ensure adequate ventilation, and at the same time, to ensure efficient drainage.

The ideal substrate for Cambria will be small-grained conifer bark, 3-9 mm, plain or mixed with sphagnum moss, coconut fiber, and added perlite or vermiculite.

The average culture temperature for Cambria notogen hybrids will be around 18-22 degrees Celsius. The ideal atmospheric humidity will be between 65-80%.

The light radiation values ​​are in the medium to strong light zone, being included in the range of 20,000 - 35,000 lux, an aspect in which the Cambria notogen hybrids resemble the species of the Vanda and Cattleya genera. However, due to the fragile texture of the leaves, in the period March - September, partial shading of the specimens will be resorted to, in order to ensure a more diffuse light radiation, which will not lead to the burning of the leaves.

Irrigation will be carried out in moderation, without administering excess water, this aspect being tolerated only during the flowering period. In case of lack of water, the leaves will develop with difficulty, having a folded appearance in the transverse plane. The substrate will be kept moist, not wet, allowing it to dry between waterings.

The complete Cambria offer from Secret Garden is available here (link).

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