Mystery mounted mini - Orchid Board

malteseproverb · #1 03-13-2018, 06:59 PM

I was trying to figure out what this is. I inherited it and this is one of the few that didn't have a tag attached. I assumed it was some kind of mini bulbophyllum when I first saw it, but now I'm not sure because of the spiky thin leaves. I don't think I've seen a bulbo without broad, flat leaves. See my finger for scale.

AnonYMouse · #2 03-13-2018, 10:26 PM

I can't see the pic well enough but from the description, it might be a sophronitella/Isabelia. Although, I don't think neither my sophronitella violacea nor Isabelia virginalis resemble bulbos at all.

ETA: definitely not virginalis-doesn't have the webbing but what used to be Isabelia pulchella? It was tough enough without the taxonomists changing everything around!

chrisc147 · #3 03-14-2018, 10:19 AM

I would say this is most likely Neolauchea pulchella.

Pattywack · #4 03-14-2018, 12:02 PM

I have, what is tagged as Isabelia pulchella (Neolauchea) and it looks to be the same plant. Great little orchid with beautiful flowers.

I see what looks like new leaves towards the center of the mount. Hopefully it will fill out and grow nice and full for you.

Orchid Whisperer · #5 03-14-2018, 12:03 PM

I was also thinking Isabelia (=Neolauchea) of some kind. No idea which species.

malteseproverb · #6 03-14-2018, 12:18 PM

Thanks everyone! I looked at photos and I agree that it must be an Isabelia. Anyone grow these? I'm looking online for cultural notes. Seems like high light, can dry out a bit but can't stay dry.

Orchid Whisperer · #7 03-14-2018, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malteseproverb

Thanks everyone! I looked at photos and I agree that it must be an Isabelia. Anyone grow these? I'm looking online for cultural notes. Seems like high light, can dry out a bit but can't stay dry.

I have N. pulchella (but I don't grow it well enough to be offering anyone advice!). gnathaniel grow it, much better than I do, you might send him a PM, maybe ask if he will verify the ID from your photos.

Pattywack · #8 03-14-2018, 06:13 PM

I purchased my plants from Mountain Orchids two years ago. These were cuttings, a lot of long thick cuttings. Their website says bright light, intermediate to warm, 55-75% humidity.

I received much more plant than I anticipated as I wanted this to mount in my Exo Terra terrarium. I used what I needed, mounted onto a cork stump to let it ramble. It has no moss at the roots, it simply grows onto the cork. I have cfl lights, full spectrum daylight bulbs I believe 5000k. My terrarium is a small one .

The remaining pieces I mounted onto a cork mount and have it growing in a indoor greenhouse shelving unit. The lights there are t5 ho 6500k. It is easy to grow and flower. I have noticed if it gets higher light the bulbs are closer together. I spray these daily though they like to dry between waterings slightly. The larger plant I did add moss to the cork when I mounted the pieces.

I hope that is somewhat helpful. I find this very easy to grow, it roots extremely well. It was just the “look” I wanted for my terrarium with plenty of left over plant.

gnathaniel · #9 03-16-2018, 10:16 PM

Definitely looks like Isabelia pulchella, which is the more current name as far as I know. The three Isabelia species were previously in separate monotypic genera (Neolauchea pulchella, Sophronitella violacea, Isabelia virginalis) until all combined into Isabelia.

This species is pretty tolerant, I give mine lots of water, bright light, and temperatures ranging between 35 and 105 F throughout the year.