Isochilus

R. Brown 1813

Pronunciation:

eye-soh-KYE-lus (click on the name to hear it spoken)
Tribe: Epidendreae
Subtribe: Laeliinae

Isochilus is a genus of low to moderate elevation species from Mexico, the tropical Americas and the Caribbean. The species are not clearly defined and plants in commerce may be mislabeled. However, all species are attractive subjects well worth growing. The genus was described by Robert Brown in 1813. The name, iso (equal) and cheilos (lip) alludes to the more-or-less equal size and shape of the lip and the other floral segments. The most distinguishing feature of the genus are the slender stems with narrow distichous leaves giving these orchids an attractive fern-like appearance - the plants are indeed attractive even when out of bloom. The species produce mostly small pink to fuchsia flowers on a terminal inflorescence of second year growths. There are some species or varieties in which the color ranges toward reddish orange. Commonly encountered species are Isochilus linearis and Isochilus major.

Number of species:

Laeliinae

Distribution:

Mexico and Central America, South America, West Indies

Isochilus linearis - plant - ©2009 Greg Allikas
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Iso. linearis - flowers - ©2009 Greg Allikas
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Iso. aurantiacus 'Joyce Sarah'
CCM/AOS - ©2009 Charles Marden Fitch
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**--- C U L T U R E ---**
Temperature:	Most species are from low elevations, plants do best under warm to intermediate temperatures.
Light:	Adaptable to various light intensities, from bright filtered to shady. Plants assume a more graceful habit when grown under lower light intensities and produce a more attractive display.
Water-Humidity:	Do not allow plants to remain dry for extended periods or leaves may drop. Maintain even moisture but not soggy. 50-70% humidity.
Fertilizer:	Balanced fertilizer half-strength once a week during growth (spring-summer), once every other week during cool weather (fall-winter). A rest period is not required.
Potting:	Balanced fertilizer half-strength once a week during growth (spring-summer), once every other week during cool weather (fall-winter). A rest period is not required.
References:	1.Tom & Marion Sheehan. 1994 - An Illustrated Survey of Orchid Genera. Timber Press, Portland. 2. Helmut Bechtel, Phillip Cribb, Edmund Launert 1992. The Manual of Cultivated Orchid Species, Third Edition. MIT Press, Cambridge.
Author:	Greg Allikas
E-mail:	graphicgreg@orchidworks.com

--- C U L T U R E ---

Temperature:

Most species are from low elevations, plants do best under warm to intermediate temperatures.

Light:

Adaptable to various light intensities, from bright filtered to shady. Plants assume a more graceful habit when grown under lower light intensities and produce a more attractive display.

Water-Humidity:

Do not allow plants to remain dry for extended periods or leaves may drop. Maintain even moisture but not soggy. 50-70% humidity.

Fertilizer:

Balanced fertilizer half-strength once a week during growth (spring-summer), once every other week during cool weather (fall-winter). A rest period is not required.

Potting:

Balanced fertilizer half-strength once a week during growth (spring-summer), once every other week during cool weather (fall-winter). A rest period is not required.

References:

1.Tom & Marion Sheehan. 1994 - An Illustrated Survey of Orchid Genera. Timber Press, Portland.
2. Helmut Bechtel, Phillip Cribb, Edmund Launert 1992. The Manual of Cultivated Orchid Species, Third Edition. MIT Press, Cambridge.

Author:

Greg Allikas

E-mail:

graphicgreg@orchidworks.com