Botanical species from New Guinea, described by Andre Schuiteman in 1989 (born in Amsterdam, 1960), Dutch botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London, where he works as chief researcher in the department for Identification and Taxonomy of Asian plant species, Mediocalcar decoratum has a wide distribution within the native island, both in Papua New Guinea and in Irian Java, where it inhabits epiphytic stands at 900 - 2000 m, but has also been reported at higher altitudes (2500 m).

Small-sized species, forming dense plant carpets and preferring climatic regimes that vary from warm to cold, they present cylindrical to almost clavate pseudobulbs, which bear 3-4 linear, almost elliptical, subacute to obtuse, short-petiolate leaves, inserted in the region the apex of the pseudobulbs, similar to the propeller of a helicopter. The short apical inflorescence generally appears in autumn, winter and spring on new pseudobulbs, being represented by solitary, bell-shaped flowers that persist for a long time. The flowers are about 7 mm long, and despite the fact that there is only one flower on each pseudobulb, a well-developed plant will produce many flowers that will bloom simultaneously. The small flowers, somewhat similar to miniature oranges, show the tips of the petals, yellow in color, recurved outwardly.

The species prefers a level of light radiation between 15000 - 23000 lux, this being filtered or dispersed, avoiding exposing the plants to direct sunlight, which can cause leaf burns. It is recommended to gradually expose the plants to light, moving them to more and more bright areas, until it is found that the leaves have a violet tint, a sign that the plants are getting as much light as they need. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure a permanent air current, to ensure the dispersion of thermal radiation and excess water.

Mediocalcar decoratum is a species with modest heat requirements, the recommended temperature range for its culture being 23-26 °C throughout the year, as daytime temperature, and 12-14 °C for nighttime temperatures, with an amplitude of 10 – 12 °C.

The humidity will have values ​​of 70-75% throughout the year, requiring its decrease to 65% for the period between the end of winter and the middle of spring.

The recommended culture medium will consist of containers with reduced height, which ensure good drainage, or on wooden roots or bark plates, as long as adequate humidity is ensured, with daily watering and spraying, especially in the case of hot days summer. Another cultivation option is represented by the use of low pots or baskets, provided with a loose, fast-drying substrate, consisting of mixtures of fine-grained bark, coconut fiber, gravel, perlite, the latter also having the advantage of cooling and air the culture environment, simultaneously with the preservation of humidity. Amending the cultivation medium with charcoal contributes to its aeration, reduces acidification and, mixed with sphagnum moss, increases moisture retention, an aspect that can represent a critical factor, especially if the specimens are grown in excessively dry environments. It is recommended to change the culture medium as soon as its decomposition is observed, or at the latest after two years, especially if the plants grow outside the intended container. Replanting will be done at the time of signaling the appearance of new growth, in order to increase the success of adaptation to the new environment.

Watering will have to take into account the rainfall regime in the area of ​​origin of the species, where the rains are abundant throughout the year, except for a period of 2-3 months of somewhat drier regime, during the winter. The plants will be watered abundantly during the growth period, ensuring good aeration of the environment, in order to prevent rotting of the roots, following that the intensity of water administration will decrease towards the end of autumn and during the winter.

Fertilization will be carried out at concentrations of 25-50% of the dose indicated on the package, throughout the year, except for the rest period, being able to use both a balanced fertilizer and formulas rich in nitrogen from spring to mid-summer, and rich in phosphorus from the end of summer and throughout the fall.

The period of rest, associated with the cold season, will consist in the slight reduction of the water supply, avoiding the complete drying of the substrate. During this period, we will resort to the cessation of fertilization.

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