After several species split off to form other orchid genera, the genus Ondontoglossum now includes around 60 orchid species from Central and South America. According to the special look, the botanical name can be translated into German as “tooth lip” or “tooth tongue”.
How do I properly care for an Odontoglossum orchid?
Caring for Odontoglossum orchids includes regular watering with room temperature, low-lime water, repotting if necessary, careful fertilizing and a bright, indirect light source. In winter temperatures should be between 12-18°C.
What should you consider when watering Odontoglossum species?
Basically, Odontoglossum species should only be watered with room temperature and stale water. Low-lime rainwater that has also been filtered is ideal. Watering should be much more regular and abundant in summer than in autumn and winter. However, the root area should never dry out all year round and should never suffer from waterlogging (€34.00 on Amazon). The plant can also be occasionally sprayed with a fine mist of water.
How to repot these orchids?
Since the Odontoglossum species have relatively fine roots, the plant pot should be chosen sufficiently high, but not too large. A plant should be transplanted as soon as the bulbs and plant shoots grow beyond the edge of the plant pot or when the substrate in the pot dries out very quickly due to the grown root mass.
Also note the following tips when repotting:
- The next larger pot size should only be about 2 to 3 cm larger
- Soak the roots in lukewarm water for about 20 minutes to make them more supple
- after repotting you should not water for at least 24 hours
When and how should toothtongue orchids be cut?
When repotting, check the root ball of the odontoglossum and remove any dead or mushy root pieces with sharp planting scissors. After the inflorescences have faded, wilted stems can be cut off slightly above the base. Otherwise, these slow-growing orchids do not require any pruning care.
Which pests or diseases can be dangerous to the genus Odontoglossum?
Regular inspection is important in the fight against pests such as mealybugs, mealybugs and scale insects in order to be able to take countermeasures at an early stage. In most cases, growth problems and a lack of flowering in the Odontoglossum can be traced back to care and location errors.
How can an odontoglossum orchid be optimally fertilized?
The roots of Odontoglossum are quite sensitive to s alt, so in summer they should only be fertilized in a sparing dose every 2 to 4 weeks with a special orchid fertilizer. In winter, these plants can safely be dispensed with any fertilization.
What should you consider when caring for an Odontoglossum orchid in winter?
While the Odontoglossum orchids can grow optimally in summer at temperatures between 15 and 22 degrees Celsius, the range from night to maximum daytime temperature in winter should be around 12 to 18 degrees Celsius. In addition, the plants should be relatively bright all year round, but never in direct sunlight.
Tip
The time of repotting can also be used to propagate Odontoglossum orchids. To do this, sections with sufficiently large roots and bulbs are simply cut off with clean planting scissors and planted in their own planter.
