Amesiella Monticola: The Exotic but Endangered Orchid

Amesiella Monticola is an endangered, tiny orchid species from the Philippines. Also called the mountainous Amesiellas, this is an orchid that produces a bloom larger than itself.

With the proper guidance and taking only little extra care measures, you, too, can plant and grow them by yourself.

No matter where you choose to put them inside your home, their elegant white flowers would look heavenly everywhere.

Amesiella Monticola: What Does It Look Like?

It is a member of the orchid family native to the Philippines and is considered an epiphyte, i.e., in nature, it tends to grow on ferns and trees. It is a somewhat sensitive plant; due to the destruction of its natural habitat due to human activity, IUCN has declared it an endangered species.

Amesiella Monticola is a tiny plant. You can put them anywhere in the house, and they will brighten up that little corner for you.

Keep reading to find out its defining characteristics.

– Flowers

Each plant produces three blooms; each with five flowers that are approximately 2.3 inches in diameter. You will find that the flowers are large in comparison to the plant. The petals are pure white with occasional yellow stripes. There is long, thin nectar in the center.

– Leaves

The leaves are fresh green, oblong, and leathery to touch. And measure about two to three and a half inches long. You will not help but smile every time you look at them.

– Fragrance

The flowers, once in bloom, produce a beautiful scent often at night.

Amesiella Monticola Care: Ideal Conditions for Growing These Orchids

All plants grow best if subjected to conditions similar to their natural habitat. Caring for Amisiella Monticola, too, should take place under ideal temperatures, soil substrate, and humidity levels so that it leads to an exuberant growth of this endangered orchid. Read here to learn what these ideal conditions are;

– Temperature Requirements: Ideal Temperature for The Mountainous Amesiella

Ideal temperatures vary from season to season as well as throughout the day. Don’t worry about it, though. Just see that your plant’s surrounding temperature is within the following range;

• During summer days, spray it with a suitable fungicide spray regularly: 73-75 F
• During summer nights: 60 F
• During winter days: 68-70 F
• During winter nights: 55-57 F

– Soil: Most Suitable One?

• Depending on your preference, either mount them on slabs or plant them in pots during the growing season. Baskets are a good alternative too.
• This plant loves moss, so make sure to include plenty of that in the potting substrate. We recommend that you use sphagnum moss.
• Ask your local vendor to provide you specifically with a substrate that does not lead to water stagnation.

– Humidity Conditions

• Like most orchids, this one also needs high levels of humidity.
• Humidity levels needed vary depending on how you choose to grow these plants: In rafts, you will need humidity levels up to eighty percent. In a vase, then levels up to 60 percent will be sufficient as well.

• Are you struggling with maintaining the proper humidity levels? Try huddling similar plants together like ferns, Bromeliads, etc. Or get a pebble tray filled with water to put under your pot or vase. If you can spare some extra cash, make this easier for yourself and simply get a humidifier.

Amesiella Monticola Care: The Do’s and Don’ts of Growing Them at Home

Fortunately for the lazy bunnies and the busy bees out there, these orchids do not require a very high level of care and maintenance. You can easily squeeze time out of your schedule to grow them and enjoy an exuberant bloom and foliage. Read on to learn how to do that!

– Light Requirements: To Shade or Not to Shade?

• Amesiella Monticola is a shade-loving plant. Therefore, it makes an ideal houseplant. Experts recommend a light level of only 12,000 to 18,000 lux for it.
• It should be placed in a shaded area with exposure to only filtered or diffused light: preferably early morning or evening sunlight.
• If you choose to keep them entirely indoors, use bright artificial light for photosynthesis.
• These orchids need to be exposed to filtered or indirect light for at least twelve hours each day, no matter what time of the year it is. Otherwise, they enter a state of dormancy which stunts growth and flowering.

– Water Requirements: How Much Watering Does Your Amesiella Monticola Need?

Our answer is A lot! This orchid needs copious amounts of watering, and you will need to do it daily.

• You will need to water it regularly and check that the soil does not become completely dry between watering sessions.
• If you live in an area with a hot and dry climate, you will have to take extra care when it comes to watering the Monticola orchids.
• Any type of water will do. These orchids are not fussy when it comes to their water intake.
• There is, however, a limit to watering too. If you keep watering this plant without giving the soil a chance to dry up a bit (but not completely), you risk the rotting of roots and stems of the orchid.

– Fertilizer: The Right Type and Amount

You can use any reputed orchid fertilizer for Amesiella. The amount should be one-fourth of that specified by the manufacturer.

• Mix the fertilizer in water and gently spray it on the potted orchids.
• Orchid gardening experts suggest watering or spraying the plant first before spraying fertilizer. As a result, the fertilizer will not come in direct contact with the plant roots, and any potential toxicity will be prevented.
• Some gardeners recommend fertilizing with every third watering. Others swear by once-a-week fertilization. We have found both ways to be effective and healthy.
• Do not overdo it, though. Overfertilization is quite harmful to plants.

– Repotting Amesiella Monticola: Time and Types

Monticola blooms during the cold winters, particularly during the months of January-February. So repotting should be done in spring.

These orchids have an upward growth pattern and can be grown in various ways: You can grow them in pots. Or mount them bare-rooted on wooden slabs. Even a vase or basket is a good enough option.

– Common Diseases and Problems

This plant tends to be a bit on the sensitive side. No wonder destruction of its natural habitat has led to it being classified as an endangered species. Read this list that we have compiled of the potential problems you could encounter while gardening monticola and how to maneuver past them successfully.

• This plant loves water. And yet, it is sensitive to root rot if excessively watered. Striking a delicate balance between the two extremes can be pretty frustrating for the florist. Don’t worry, if you follow our instructions, you will do just fine.
• If you keep this plant outdoors, don’t forget to regularly spray it with a suitable fungicide spray.
• Amesiella Monticola is an orchid species prone to insect and spider mite infestation. Every time you water, check to see if there has been an infestation or not. If so, then any effective insecticide is your savior.
• Do not put these orchids under direct sunlight unless you want them burned black.
• Planting monticola in pots can cause rot to the stem. To prevent this from happening, plant them within the substrate so that only the roots and no part of the stem touches the substrate.
• Snails and slugs are also irritating creatures ingesting orchids, and this problem can be solved by using molluscicide bait.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the natural habitat of Amesiella monticola?

The natural habitat of Amesiella monticola is in montane forests, particularly in the Philippines.

2. How many flowers does Amesiella monticola produce per spike?

Amesiella monticola typically produces 5-10 flowers per spike.

3. How long does it take for Amesiella monticola to mature?

It takes around 3-5 years for Amesiella monticola to mature and start blooming under ideal growing conditions.

Conclusion

Now that you are well-versed in the basics of growing Amesiella Monticola as well as know the common mistakes to be avoided, let’s do a quick recap to make sure you’re confident enough to raise these little, endangered beauties:

• Amesiella Monticola is a small-sized orchid that is on the endangered list due to the loss of its natural habitat by human activity
• It grows white flowers that are large compared to the plant and produce a scent at night
• They are best grown on wooden slabs. Pots are fine too. Repotting season is early spring
• Use Sphagnum moss as the substrate
• It requires high humidity levels and daily watering throughout the year.
• Fertilize at least once a week using only one-fourth of the usual amount of orchid fertilizers
• These plants are shade lovers and need only partial light. Never put them under direct sunlight, or  even under the rain

 

Now that you know how relatively effortless it could be to plant these and care for them, what are you waiting for? Buy a couple of monticolas the next time you are out shopping for plants and enjoy their beautiful bloom and heavenly nocturnal fragrance, along with contributing to the conservation of this tiny orchid.