Cirrhopetalum

Plant Characteristics
Origin:	✈	?

Cultivation

Exposure:	☼	?"?" is not in the list (sun, part-sun, shade, unknown) of allowed values for the "Exposure" property.
Water:	◍	?"?" is not in the list (wet, moist, moderate, dry, less when dormant) of allowed values for the "Water" property.

Scientific Names
Orchidaceae >	Cirrhopetalum >

Read about Cirrhopetalum in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
Cirrhopetalum (tendril petal, alluding to the narrow lateral sepals). Orchidaceae. Epiphytes, grown in baskets or on blocks in a warmhouse. Pseudobulbs from a creeping st.: dorsal sepal free; lateral sepals much longer than the dorsal, cohering excepting at the base; petals much shorter, often ciliate; lip entire, usually recurved; column short, 2-winged at the apex; pollinia 4.—About 90 species in Trop. Asia, Mascarene Isls., and Australia. Being of rambling habit, with creeping rhizomes, cirrhopetalums should be grown in baskets sufficiently large to afford plenty of growing surface, and suspended from the roof where they will get abundant light and free access of air to the roots, which is equally essential. Liberal allowance must be made for drainage, which should consist of either broken potsherds or charcoal, the latter being preferable, as it is light, durable and contains nothing detrimental. Two-thirds osmundine, or other clean fiber, and one-third chopped live sphagnum moss, well mixed together, afford a good compost; and after this has been carefully tucked in about the roots and interstices, the plant should be held firm with brass or copper wire until reestablished. The compost should be used rather sparingly to prevent over-watering. Many of the smaller-growing species do very well on orchid blocks, firmly attached, with a small quantity of compost beneath them. During the winter months, little or no shade is required. The temperature may range from 58° to 65° F. by night, with about 10° rise through the day, or even a little more, with sun-heat, will do no injury. No artificial heat is necessary in summer, except in extreme cold or wet weather, but a shaded moist location should be chosen, such as is afforded in the cattleya or palm department. When the plants are dormant, light syringing overhead will keep the compost moist and the plants in healthy condition, but as the growing season advances, a liberal quantity of water and copious syringing in bright weather will be necessary. The stock is increased by division, the most judicious method being to cut nearly through the rhizome with a sharp knife, about three pseudobulbs behind the lead, just before growth action, allowing the part to remain until the dormant eyes start to grow, when it may be removed and treated as an established plant. A little extra heat and moisture at this period will prove beneficial with the weak plants. All are of moderately easy culture. ^CH The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

Cultivation

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Propagation

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Pests and diseases

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Species

Species^wp:

More Species:

C. Andersonii, Kurz. Dwarf habit: fls. in umbels: lateral sepals whitish, with fine rose dots; dorsal sepal marked with purple lines. Sikkim.^CH
C. appendiculatum, Rolfe. Dorsal sepals and petals pale yellow: lip rosy purple. E. Indies.^CH
C. biflorum, J. J. Smith. Sepals purple-spotted, the dorsal elliptic, about 1¼ in. long, including the seta, the lateral sepals linear-lanceolate, 3-3½ in. long. Java.^CH
C. breviscopum, Rolfe. Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, about ¼in. long, dull purple, the lateral sepals yellow, spotted red-brown, about 1 in. long, the lip rose-purple, broadly cordate, ovate-cuneate, hairy at base. Perak. ^CH
C. caudatum, King & Pantl. Dwarf species: dorsal sepals short; lateral sepals tail-like, about as long as scape. Himalayas.^CH
C. chinense, Lindl. Fls. pale fawn-color, the dorsal sepal hooded, crimson-spotted, the lateral sepals linear-lanceolate, the lip crimson-spotted. China. ^CH
C. chryseum, Kranzl. Scape filiform, 1-fld.: fls. yellow. Philippines.^CH
C. Cumingii, Lindl. Umbel 9-12-fld.; fls. purple, the dorsal sepal glandular-ciliate, the lateral sepals 1 in. long, linear-oblong: lip with 2 erect processes. Philippines. ^CH
C. Hodkeri, Duthie. Fls. 1 in. long, yellow, the dorsal sepal about ¼in. long, obtuse, purple-streaked, the lateral linear-lanceolate, acuminate. Himalayas.^CH
C. lepidum (Bulbophyllum lepidum, J. J. Smith). Dorsal sepal, erect, ciliate, ⅓in. long, brownish yellow; lateral sepals united, spreading, bright brownish yellow, somewhat red- flushed, at base, the upper portion pale yellow, marbled with brown-red, about 1 in. long; petals ⅓in. long, ciliate. Java.^CH
C. longissimum, Riddell. Fls. whitish, rosy-streaked, the dorsal sepal lanceolate, ⅔-¾in. long, the lateral sepals linear, 8-12 in. long, with slender tails; petals falcate, ciliate. Siam.^CH
C. Micholitzii, Rolfe. Umbels 8-12-fld.; lateral sepals deep yellow; dorsal sepal and petals blotched with dark purple on a pale ground. Annam.^CH
C. miniolum, Rolfe. Fls. vermilion-colored with hairs of dorsal sepal and petals yellow; lateral sepals caudate, almost thread-like. Annam.^CH
C. papillosum, Rolfe. Umbels usually 6-fld.; dorsal sepals and petals lined with dark purple on a pale ground; lateral sepals speckled with red-brown. Siam.^CH
C. pulcherm, N. E. Br. ^CH
C. retusiusculum, Reichb. f. Fls. ¾in. length; upper sepals dark purple; lower coherent, yellow, marked with dark red. China.^CH
C. Roxburghii, Lindl. Small, with ovate reddish green lvs. and almost, globose umbels of cream-white fls. tinged with rose or purple. India. A pretty dwarf species.^CH
C. Thowirsii, Lindl. Umbel of 10-12 fls.; sepals and petals tawny yellow, the dorsal ovate, cuspidate, with purple warts, the lateral lanceolate, acute, stained claret; petals small, ovate-lanceolate, pale yellow, purple-spotted, with a thread-like tail at apex; lip oblong. Madagascar, Java, Philippines, Society Isls. ^CH
C.sinensis=C. chinense.

Hybrids

Gallery

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References

Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

External links

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