Origin and Common Names
Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. is a species of orchid that is native to the African countries of Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was first described by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in 1885. The common names of this plant include the dotted brachycorythis and Welwitsch's short club orchid.
General Appearance
The Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. forms a small to medium-sized, terrestrial and evergreen plant that grows up to 30 cm in height. It has a tuberous root and one or two sub-erect leaves. The leaves are long and narrow with a pointed tip and can grow up to 16 cm in length and 1 cm in width. The inflorescence is a terminal spike with flowers that can vary in color from light green to reddish-brown with dotted patterns. The flowers have three sepals, the dorsal sepals are fused, and the lateral sepals are spreading. The petals are smaller than the sepals and form a hood-like structure with a spur at the base. The lip or labellum is three-lobed with the midlobe elongated and curved downwards, and the side lobes are small and erect. The plant blooms from September to December, and the fruits are capsules that contain numerous small seeds.
Uses
Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. is a rare plant species and is not commonly used for medicinal or commercial purposes. However, certain indigenous communities in Africa have used the plant for various traditional medicinal purposes. The plant is used to treat stomach ailments, fever, and as a general tonic. In addition, the tuberous root of this plant is said to have mild hallucinogenic properties and is used in certain African cultures for its psychoactive effects. The plant is also used for ornamental purposes and is considered a valuable addition to any exotic plant collection.
Light Conditions
The Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. plant requires moderate to bright light conditions to thrive. The plant can be grown in partial shade to full sunlight, but it is recommended to provide some shade during the hottest periods of the day.
Temperature Requirements
The Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. plant prefers warm to hot temperatures, typically between 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. The plant cannot tolerate frost or temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, and it is therefore essential to provide warm temperatures, especially during the winter months.
Soil Requirements
The Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. plant requires well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. The plant thrives in soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, typically between 5.5 to 7.5. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged, and watering should be done once or twice a week depending on the weather conditions.
Cultivation Methods
Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. is a small-sized plant that grows well in a shaded area. The plant grows best in well-drained soil with high organic matter content. It's necessary to ensure the plant receives proper sunlight exposure. The plant can be propagated through seedlings or division. Division is the preferred method, taking place in late spring when new growth appears. The soil should be kept moist during this process.
Watering Needs
The Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. requires regular watering during the growing season, especially in the summer heat. However, overwatering can damage the roots, causing root rot. As such, it's essential to allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. The plant may require more frequent watering if grown in a container as they tend to dry out faster than the ground.
Fertilization
Regular fertilization is crucial for the Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. to produce healthy foliage and blooms. It's necessary to use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. Fertilization should occur during the growing season, from spring through to autumn. However, it's important not to over-fertilize as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flower production.
Pruning
Pruning is not a necessary activity for the Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. However, pruning can help encourage healthy growth and remove dead or damaged leaves. Pruning should occur at the end of the plant's growing season in late autumn. Remove the old foliage after flowering and cut back the old flower stalks to just above the ground level. Doing so helps prevent disease and pest problems that could affect the plant's health.
Propagation of Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f.
Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f., commonly known as the Welwitsch's Ploughshare Orchid, can be propagated by vegetative and seed propagation methods. Propagation helps in the conservation of this rare orchid species.
Vegetative Propagation
In vegetative propagation, the daughter tubers are produced from the mother plant, and these can be planted to grow new plants. This method is suitable for plants with underground tubers.
For Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f., vegetative propagation is possible by division of the parent tuber. The parent tuber can be divided into smaller sections, each with at least one eye, and these can be planted in a well-drained substrate. Care should be taken to avoid damage to the roots, and the new plant should be watered regularly to stimulate new growth.
Seed Propagation
Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. orchid flowers have a short lifespan of two to four days and must be pollinated. Cross-pollination between different plants can result in genetic diversity that aids in the survival of the species. Self-pollination is also possible, but it may result in plants with reduced vigor and genetic diversity.
After pollination, seeds are produced. The seeds are small and dust-like, and they have no endosperm for nutrition. Therefore, fungi in the soil are required to form mycorrhizal associations to enable the seedling to obtain nutrients. These mycorrhizal associations must form within a specific time window, usually within two months of germination.
Seed propagation is challenging, and it requires patience and special care. The substrate for seed propagation should have excellent drainage, and it should be free from microorganisms that can infect the seeds. Proper humidity and temperature control are also essential for successful seed germination. The germination of the seeds and the survival of the seedlings require strict environmental conditions.
In conclusion, propagation of Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. orchid is possible by vegetative and seed propagation methods. However, seed propagation is challenging and requires special care. Conservation efforts should focus on both propagation methods, aiming to increase the number of plants and preserve the genetic diversity of this rare orchid species.
Disease Management
Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. is a hardy plant that is relatively disease resistant. However, it can still be vulnerable to some diseases such as leaf spot.
Leaf spot is a fungal disease that can affect the leaves of the plant. It manifests as small yellow, brown, or black spots on the leaves, which can coalesce and cause the leaves to wither and die.
You can manage leaf spot by removing and destroying the affected leaves and improving air circulation around the plant. You can also apply a fungicide to prevent the disease from spreading to healthy leaves. Preventing the plant from being stressed from dry conditions will help to improve its disease resistance.
Pest Management
Brachycorythis welwitschii Rchb.f. is typically not attacked by pests. However, it can be vulnerable to attacks from snails and slugs.
Snails and slugs are mollusks that can feed on the leaves and stems of the plant, resulting in significant damage and death of the plant.
You can manage snails and slugs by manually removing them from the plant and handpicking the eggs from the soil. You can also use a slug and snail bait to kill them. Organic forms of slug and snail pellets are available and are less toxic to other species.
Overall, a healthy plant is less susceptible to pests and disease problems. Ensuring the plant is healthy by providing it with the appropriate growing conditions will aid in keeping the plant healthy and robust.
