Cirrhopetalum
Read about Cirrhopetalum in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
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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. (Robert M. Grey.)
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Cirrhopetalum is a genus of epiphyte orchids (family Orchidaceae, subfamily Epidendroideae). This genus is very closely related to Bulbophyllum and its members have been until recently considered to be in the genus Bulbophyllum. The taxon name comes from Latin cirrus (fringe) and Greek petalon (petal), hence meaning fringed-petaled.
Description
Plants in this genus are usually small plants with creeping rhizomes. Features that distinguish this genus from Bulbophyllum are:
- The dorsal sepal of Cirrhopetalum is much smaller than the usually inrolled lateral sepal which has adnate margins.
- There is generally an umbellate inflorescence which can be upright, pendulous or arching.
- The pseudobulbs are conical-shaped and obscurely angled with a single spoon-like leaf atop each pseudobulb.
Species
- Cirrhopetalum africanum
- Cirrhopetalum andersonii
- Cirrhopetalum annandalei
- Cirrhopetalum antenniferum
- Cirrhopetalum auratum
- Cirrhopetalum biflorum
- Cirrhopetalum boninense
- Cirrhopetalum concinnum
- Cirrhopetalum corolliferum
- Cirrhopetalum cumingii
- Cirrhopetalum curtisii
- Cirrhopetalum cyclosepalon
- Cirrhopetalum fascinator
- Cirrhopetalum gracillimum
- Cirrhopetalum japonicum
- Cirrhopetalum lasiochilum
- Cirrhopetalum lepidum
- Cirrhopetalum lishanensis
- Cirrhopetalum longifolium
- Cirrhopetalum macraei
- Cirrhopetalum makoyanum
- Cirrhopetalum medusae
- Cirrhopetalum picturatum
- Cirrhopetalum puguahaanense
- Cirrhopetalum pulchrum
- Cirrhopetalum purpurascens
- Cirrhopetalum retusiusculum
- Cirrhopetalum taeniophyllum
- Cirrhopetalum rothschildianum
- Cirrhopetalum scrarsii
- Cirrhopetalum vaginatum
- Cirrhopetalum verstrifolia
- Cirrhopetalum wendlandianum
Hybrids
- Cirrhopetalum Elizabeth Ann 'Jean' (Cirr. longissimum x Cirr. rothschildianum)
- Cirrhopetalum Elizabeth Ann 'Buckleberry'
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