8/10/2019 Amesiella monticola.pdf

1/3

Amesiella monticolais a unique and rare Philippine orchid species, as it is a small plant

but with a large white flower, much larger than the plant itself.

Its genus name, Amesiella, was named after Professor Oakes Ames, an American

botanist who did a lot of work documenting and describing our Philippine orchids. On

the other hand, species epithet monticolarefers to the mountainous habitat where theorchid species lives. It is endemic here in our country, commonly in the mountainous

region of Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija, at an elevation between 1,800 and 2,200

meters above sea level. Since it is an upland orchid, it prefers to grow in cool nurseries

or gardens. Years before, the plant is usually sold by orchid dealers here in Metro

8/10/2019 Amesiella monticola.pdf

2/3

Manila, collected straight from the forests. However, nowadays, the plant is being

grown by some of our local orchid breeders and gardeners which makes it available.

The plant has an upright, monopodial growth habit, similar to that of the Phalaenopsis or

butterfly orchid. It is a small plant, about 2.5 cm tall by 16 cm across the two leaves.

The leaves are leathery, oblong and bilobed at the tips. During its blooming period, itusually has 3 blooms with 5 flowers, each about 6 cm in diameter across, which is quite

significantly larger that the plant.

The flowers are white in color, some with faint yellow to orange stripes in the labellum,

with a 11 cm long nectary , similar to that of a mouse tail. The flowers are noticeably

scented, especially in the evening, suggesting that its pollinators are probably insects

arising at night.

For plant lovers who would be interested to grow this plant, here are some tips on how

to cultivate it.

The plant is a shade-loving plant, thus partial shade or diffused light is to be provided,

and prevent the plant from being exposed to direct noon sunlight or else its leaves will

be scorched. Place the plant in a location where it will receive bright morning or late

afternoon sunlight. The plant can be grown indoors, if supplied with a bright artificial

light.

This plant will require a high humidity, thus, provide the plant with plenty of companion

plants like ferns, Tillandsias or Bromeliads. Mist the plant occasionally and you may

place its pot over a dish of water with pebbles to provide moisture. The plant will benefit

from daily watering, but must be able to dry afterwards. Protect plants from too much

rain.

Place the plant in an area with enough space in between plants and to allow air

movement, like a slight breeze, to help dry the leaves between watering. Ocassional

use of an electric fan to induce air movement in indoor gardens is beneficial.

The plant will also benefit from a weekly spray of dilute orchid fertilizer for optimum

growth.

The Amesiella can be potted on clay or plastic pots, with charcoal and chopped coconut

husks, or mounted in wooden slabs.

The plant is sensitive to rotting if excessively watered. A spray of fungicides like

Dithane or Captan will prevent rotting during the rainy season. The plant is also

sensitive to spider mites infestation, and sucking insects. A dilute spray of insecticides

8/10/2019 Amesiella monticola.pdf

3/3

like Sevin or Lanate can discourage insects. For slugs and snails, a molluscide bait can

be used.

Amesiella can be propagated by keikis or anak, or if one has access to an orchid

laboratory, its flowers can be pollinated to produce an orchid capsule with seeds.

Orchid seeds are usually sown in a sterile flask with artificial culture medium through theprocess of orchid embryo culture. This is usually done in legitimate orchid conservation

works.

The Amesiella monticola is a beautiful and elegant orchid to conserve and grow, a pride

among plant lovers in the highlands of Nueva Vizcaya. It is worth saving through the

countrys plant conservation efforts, and from these species stock, new miniature orchid

hybrids can be bred.