Macodes Petola history
Macodes Petola is an epiphyte belonging to the Orchidaceae family. In nature grows in South America, in Asia on the islands of Java, the Philippines in New Guinea, in Malaysia. Prefers to grow in damp forests, settles on tree trunks, rocks, which are covered with moss and humus.
The name macodes petola comes from the Greek “macos” meaning “extent, length”, which most likely refers to the lip that has an elongated shape.
This orchid has velvety foliage, with a unique pattern that is colored in different colors and has a slight shimmer that is very striking and gives the impression of a precious luster.
There are many varieties of this Macodes petola orchid, which differ from each other in color, vein coloring, and pattern. Most often the pattern on the leaves of this orchid depends on the growing conditions, the age of the plant. Specifically, Macodes petola variety is very difficult to determine, because this orchid is very easy to cross with each other.
There are species whose flowers have a rather pleasant fragrance.
Macodes Petola care
The temperature
The Macodes Petola orchid feels good at normal room temperatures of 18-28°C, but in winter the temperature should not drop below 17 °C. In summer the orchid can be placed on a balcony so that it gets plenty of light and a natural change of day and night temperature. The Macodes petola needs to be protected against sudden blasts of wind and rainfall.
The natural temperature difference should not be too big, about 4-5 °C. The resting period for this orchid begins in October and lasts until the beginning of spring, the temperature for this period should be around 18-21°C.
Macodes petola loves fresh air at any time of the year.
Lighting
Prefers to grow in shaded locations, with diffused light. East, west, and north-oriented windows will suit the Macodes petola.
Watering
Soil in the pot should always be slightly moist, the plant does not tolerate complete drying of the substrate, but a strong stagnation of moisture, overwatering also damages the Macodes petola orchid. The frequency of watering depends on the maintenance temperature, how quickly the soil dries out.
After the flowering period watering begins to gradually reduce, and in the resting period, watering is carried out no more than 1 time per week. The surface of the soil in the pot is covered with damp sphagnum moss, which is regularly moistened – it is designed to reduce the evaporation of moisture from the substrate.
Water with filtered or well-drained water. For watering, the pot is dipped into a basin or bucket of water for 30 minutes, so that the substrate is completely saturated with moisture. After watering, place the pot in an empty basin and wait for the excess water to drain off.
Humidity
Macodes petola needs high air humidity, especially at night, needs frequent daily sprinkling, you can also install humidifiers. In winter, it is very important to keep the orchid as far as possible from heating systems, otherwise, they can cause irreparable damage to the plant.
A very important condition for growing this Macodes petola orchid is the inflow of fresh air – the higher the humidity level, the more often there should be airing.
Experienced florists recommend from time to time to arrange the orchid a warm shower, which has a favorable effect on the appearance of young growth and the frequency of flowering.
Many florists prefer to grow this orchid in florariums and orchidariums.
Fertilizers
During the intensive growth, from the beginning of spring to the end of summer the Macodes petola orchid is watered once a week with a special fertilizer for orchids, 3-4 drops of it per 2 liters of water.
During the period when the macodes petola blooms, the fertilizer application is reduced to 1 time per month. Root fertilizer alternates with leaf fertilizer, but the concentration should be even weaker compared to the watering solution.
In the fall and winter fertilization stop.
Planting and transplanting rules for the Macodes petola jewel orchid
Soil for the Macodes petola orchid
Only special soil mixes for orchids or for bromeliads are used for cultivation. If this is not available in the flower store, you can make it yourself by mixing pine bark, fine fractional drainage and adding more charcoal and sphagnum moss.
Proper transplanting of the macodes petola jewel orchid
Transplant annually, changing the substrate completely and enlarging the pot. Repot in the spring or summer, before or after flowering, and the day for transplanting choose not hot, cool necessarily in the spring, in May or April.
The pot is chosen not very large, it must be tight, not more than 6 cm in diameter. At the bottom of a pair of heavy stones, for stability, then pour a thick layer of drainage and a layer of fresh soil, and only then per evaluate itself orchid, filling all the empty spaces with new substrate.
A layer of sphagnum moss is placed on top of the soil, which is humidified from time to time, trying not to let it dry out completely. After transplanting the first 7 days do not water the orchid Macodes Petola.
Method of propagation of the orchid Macodes petola
Shrub division
This method of propagation is applicable to mature, well-grown Macodes petola plants.
Dividing is carried out during transplanting, with the roots of macodes petola completely free from the substrate and carefully untangle, strongly entangled places, cut with a knife, cutting places treated with crushed wood or activated charcoal.
When dividing, keep in mind that each one must have at least 2-3 sprouts. If the dividers have weak roots before planting them in the substrate they can be a couple of days wrapped in wet sphagnum moss and planted only after the roots will grow back at least 2 in.
Each young specimen is planted in a separate container and immediately placed in its usual place for growth. Such young macodes petola plants are quickly enough to touch the growth.
Cuttings
Macodes petola has a creeping and rather branched shoots so sometimes stubs may appear next to the adult leaves. Thanks to these stubs, it is possible to carry out the procedure of cuttings.
On cuttings cut off the shoot half a centimeter below the roots, it should be at least 2-3 stem nodes, the cut is covered with crushed activated charcoal. After that, the cuttings dried for a couple of hours, after which it is planted in a special soil for orchids.
To propagate macodes Petola also use leafless stems of orchids, which are cut into cuttings, and put them on top of moistened sphagnum moss, not deepening and cover with a plastic bag. After some time, the cuttings take root and start young shoots, and then the greenhouse is removed.
Secrets of Success Macodes Petola care
Macodes is a moderately warm orchid. The optimum air temperature is +22-25°C with an allowable increase to +30°C and cooling to +18°C. Such a regime is suitable for year-round keeping, because in culture the plant feels fine without a dormancy period. Keep in mind that flowering in such conditions is impossible. If the owner wants to see the inflorescences, you have to keep Macodes at +18-20°C for two – three weeks.
Each flowering depletes the plant, so it’s better not to force the orchid to waste energy, especially since Macodes flowers are little ornamental.
In nature, high-growing neighbors provide Macodaceae protection from direct sunlight, in culture, the orchids also need diffused sunlight and a 12-14 hour light day. Meet the needs of the plant in the absence of natural light will help the use of phytolamps.
Macodes watered with settled water at room temperature. The procedure should be performed in the first half of the day. In summer the orchid willingly takes a hot shower, after which you need to blot the leaves with a tissue to remove moisture. Drying out the soil is unacceptable. The plant needs a humidity of 40-60% and ventilation.
Feed Makodes once a month exclusively with special fertilizers for orchids, reducing the concentration in 2 – 4 times.
From late spring to early autumn the plant can be kept outdoors, protecting it from the bright sun, rain, and wind.
