02/04/08 – NH - G
Liparis latifolia
Origin in the Wild
China, Indonesia (Kalimantan
Lesser Sunder Islands, Java
Sulawesi, Sumatra, Timor)
Malaysia (Borneo, Peninsula)
New Guinea, Philippines
(Mindanao), Thailand
Elevation in the Wild
200 – 1,700 meters
Habitat in the Wild
On Borneo this species grows as an epiphyte in shade close to the forest floor close to streams and rivers.
Light Average Climate Warm - intermediate
Water – Summer Copious Water - Winter Reduce slightly do not let the plant dry out
Mist - Summer Frequent, at least once a day
Mist - Winter On sunny days in the morning
Air Movement Constant
Feeding – Growth Weak, every third water
Feeding - Dormancy Weak, once a month
Temperature and Humidity
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov D
Min o C 22 22 23 23 23 22 23 23 23 23 23 2
Max o C 32 33 33 33 33 33 32 32 32 32 32 3
Humidity max 97 97 97 97 97 96 95 96 96 96 97 9
Humidity min 60 60 58 63 66 63 63 62 64 65 66 6
Temperatures and averages are taken from the BBC world weather readings at Kuala Lumpur. The
averages are a guide only, plant can be grown much cooler..
Recommended for Indoor Culture?
Recommended for Outdoor Growing?
Yes, during the warmer months
Scent No
Flowering Season
During autumn. The flowers do not last long and are usually gone within a week.
According to the Orchids of Borneo this species is reported to flower twice a year.
Length of Spike/Inflorescence
The inflorescence can grow to 25cm long. The inflorescence arches gently and arches
more when there are more flowers.
Maximum Flowers per Spike/Inflorescence
Between 10 and 80 flowers can grow. The flowers are spaced approximately 1cm
apart along the rachis and alternate in position. The flowers measure 1cm across.
Growing Method
Pot – I have grown this species successfully in a free draining bog plant pot with a
mixture of fine fir bark, perlite, sphagnum moss and clay pellets.
Basket – Responds well, a very shallow basket is preferred grow as above.
Mounted – This method is recommended in areas of very high humidity and that are
not in danger of drying out. Mount on cork bark or tree fern with sphagnum moss
underneath and mist daily except in summer when this plant should get a good
dunking in water daily. To be creative you could mount on a horizontal log with plenty o
moss underneath, this would look ideal and mimic the way the plant grows in the wild. A
vertical mossy pole would also look appealing and mimic its wild rambling habit. Mis
daily, water even more in hot weather, a mist machine nearby would be ideal.
Propagation
Division
Synonyms
Malaxis latifolia Blume, Bijdr.: 393 (1825), nom. illeg.
Cestichis latifolia (Lindl.) Pfitzer in H.G.A.Engler & K.A.E.Prantl (eds.), Nat. Pflanzenfam. 2(6): 131
(1888).
Leptorkis latifolia (Lindl.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 671 (1891).
Stichorkis latifolia (Lindl.) Pfitzer in H.G.A.Engler & K.A.E.Prantl (eds.), Nat. Pflanzenfam., Nachtr. 1:
103 (1897).
Cestichis latifolia M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones, Orchadian 15: 40 (2005), nom. illeg.
Liparis robusta Hook.f., Hooker's Icon. Pl. 21: t. 2012 (1890).
Liparis scortechinii Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 703 (1890).
pompé sur un document pdf de www.rainforest-orchids.co.uk - dont je n'ai pas su mettre le lien.