How to grow Symphyglossum sanguineum; a fabulous cool growing species orchid!

This week Plant Lovers I was DELIGHTED to discover a flower spike on this little beauty - Symphyglossum sanguineum - a few weeks ago. I wasn't expecting it and literally stumbled across the bloom...which goes to show that caring neglect can sometimes work! We'll look at basic care for this easy to grow cool growing species orchid from Ecuador and Peru; watering, light requirements and fertilising.
If you're in Australia I bought this plant here: orchidspeciesp... and they also have a great Ebay shop.
I mention my 'What potting mix do I use?' video which you can see here: • What do I pot my orchi...
And my fertilising video here: • What fertilisers do I ...

[@masondanshortyfaddoul2596]

Nice orchid Matthew, interesting orchid ,haven't come across this litte beauty

[@helloplantlovers]

It's a little tricky to find!

[@wandashaw3551]

She's lovely and this is the first time I've ever seen this type. Thank you for introducing me to her!!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@wildflowers477]

Reminds me of the unusual cyms that china loves so much.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@JazzMeUinFLUSA]

I like your beautiful garden. That flower is stunning 😍

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@garyknight3019]

I managed to score one of these…I’m in Queensland so will be an interesting experience growing it. But you never ever know if you don’t try😬😬

[@helloplantlovers]

Good luck!

[@chuanjie01]

Nice vid. 👍

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@lucythecat529]

Congratulations on a lovely plant and blooms!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@michelleslifeonrepeat]

I so enjoy your Friday videos. This plant would do well in my home.I’m going to be on the lookout for her.thanks for sharing

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@justinsdutchtropics]

Wel done flowering this one and your collection looks great. Which masdevallias are you growing?

[@helloplantlovers]

A few hybrids and an accidental species! I have a play list here: kzbin.info/aero/PLXVNKHj1A0dTetraKGmmz7KVGJLkVOdQY

[@christiangunawan8691]

Hi Matthew, it is a very nice plant with beautiful flower. I would be interested in getting its division if it is overgrown.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@carolesykes7955]

What a gorgeous flower 💖. Do you think it might have been your Cuitlauzina pulchella that you showed us which reminds you of the shape? Mine is in flower at the moment in the UK but the blooms are much smaller than yours. This one of yours is missing the 'fangs' however 😁

[@helloplantlovers]

Aha! That’s it!! Well spotted! Very similar form…different arrangement on the spike…the flower shape is very similar though!

[@michellesmail795]

Not all languages have a word for pink, so depending on the native language of the person who named the orchid, they may have thought of it as light red and labeled it so.

[@helloplantlovers]

Aha! There's a point! Thanks for watching!

[@huequang2023]

Đẹp quá

[@helloplantlovers]

Cảm ơn đã xem!

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

The classification of this one has definitely made the rounds. it has been Symphyglossum, Odontoglossum and Cochlioda. The current accepted name, according to Kew, is Oncidium strictum. (I'm still not on board with the Oncidium consolidation but that's what the experts have decided)

[@helloplantlovers]

There you are - the roundabout of taxonomy!

[@aussiecam74]

Hi Matthew & Michael, I am extremely new to Orchids so advice and education is received with genuine gratitude. Why is this NOT an oncidium in your opinion?

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

@@aussiecam74 interesting question. Classification has typically been based on geographic distribution and morphology (Camels and Llamas, for example, are quite closely related and capable of producing fertile offspring, which should warrant them being in the same genera but they are not). With the advent of DNA analysis, plants have been being reclassified based on genetics alone. While the DNA relationship is important, the old system of classification provided more useful information as specific genera were found in specific climates and had shared characteristics. Odontoglossum, for example, were confined to cool to cold growing montane habitats with larger blooms with more elongated petals and sepals, while more traditional Oncidium were generally from lower elevation, warm to hot climates. By moving Odontoglossum into Oncidium, there is no longer the distinction between geographic distribution/climate. I think a more correct approach would be to add a level of classification of supergenus Oncidium, and redividing the genera into their original components. In the fish hobby, the killifish genus Aphyosemion was denoted as a supergenus and divided into several smaller genera (Aphyosemion, Chromaphyosemion, Archiaphyosemion, etc.). As with plants, there is hybrid compatibility between the genera, but they have been divided based on other factors. When looking at this plant, there is sufficient morphological difference in the plant and flowers comparative to "true" Oncidium to warrant being in a separate genera.

[@helloplantlovers]

@@aussiecam74 Hi there! I’m not a botanist so I couldn’t say. From my perspective it’s always about plant care, and this orchid takes basic cool growing Oncidium conditions. As to the taxonomic questions, if you are really interested there are always papers lurking online from researchers about the whys and wherefores of taxonomic change. Kew has a great site, as does the American Orchid Society. But to be honest I’m not that interested! I’m more interested in the care question.

[@aussiecam74]

Hi Matthew, I absolutely appreciate what you are saying. I am just a little excited and curious and sometimes go down rabbit warrens that I don’t need to go down. I have only just begun my Orchid journey and get caught up. I can’t thank you enough for the information you share, it has helped me significantly. Kind regards, Cam

[@HolidayGlow]

Years ago pink was considered a boys colour and more manly because it was the colour of diluted blood or an equivalent to red, which was considered for men but lighter for boys. Perhaps it has some linkage to this time era namewise? The other thought could be that when true reds were rare, perhaps that was the most vivid pink-red that they'd found?

[@helloplantlovers]

Who knows - the mystery of plant naming!

[@BlackCat-fr4ue]

It's flowering habit appears wrong. Don't orchids bloom from the base to top? This one is in reverse forming new blooms from the base?

[@helloplantlovers]

I think in the natural world there are no rules!