Orchid Snails ~ The Genus Cochlioda
by
Sean Eaton
Some orchids are quite beautiful in themselves, while others are important for their
contributions to their showier offspring, the product of various intergeneric crosses.
This is the case with members of the genus Cochlioda, though some might argue that
certain species in this group might stand perfectly well on their own.
Cochlioda are closely related to Miltonia, Oncidium, and Odontoglossum, and have
been frequently crossed with these to produce such bigeneric hybrids as Miltonioda,
Oncidioda, and Odontioda. They also contribute to several trigeneric and quadrigeneric
hybrids as well, such as Wilsonara, Vuylstekeara, and Burrageara. They are in the
tribe of Cymbidieae, subtribe Oncidiinae--a solid member of the Oncidium Alliance.
As a group, Cochlioda are probably most renowned for their contribution of bright
red, orange, scarlet and pink hues to various Odontoglossum hybrids. (Cochlioda
noezliana is especially important in this regard.) The genus Cochlioda was established
by Lindley in 1853.
There are about six species, (namely C. rosea, C. sanguinea, C.
coccinea, C. vulcanica, C. densiflora and C. noezliana),
and they tend to grow at medium to high altitudes in the Andes mountains of northern
Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. In these highland cloud forests humidity is typically
high and nights are cool, perhaps around 45°-50°F. They usually grow as epiphytes,
but are often found with roots growing in moss, and occasionally, in gravelly soil.
It is believed that Cochlioda flowers are especially adapted to pollination by hummingbirds.
Cochliodas most closely resemble Odontoglossums in form, habitat and culture. Plants
are small, sympodial, with short flattened pseudobulbs topped with one or two leaves.
When in bloom, numerous flowers are carried in graceful sprays on slender spikes
which emerge from the base of the pseudobulbs. Flowers tend to be small, approximately
one to one and one-half inches across, and may be white, pink, magenta, red, red-orange
and rose. Petals tend to be broader than the sepals, and the lip is three-lobed with
fleshy keels or crests on its surface. In fact, the name Cochlioda refers to the
appearance of these crests on the lip, thought to resemble snail shells.
Cochliodas prefer diffuse light and cool temperatures, although their hybrids are
somewhat more adaptable to different conditions,depending on the parentage. They
do well in small pots or baskets of coarse sphagnum moss or fine grade pine bark.
It is recommended that the compost be freely draining so that they can be watered
frequently. One writer suggests light in the range of 2400 to 3600 footcandles. Cochlioda
require cool nights year round, with summer nights no warmer than 75°F. They enjoy
medium light, lots of fresh air, and relatively high humidity levels, (40-60% at
least).
Here are some of the better known species:
Cochlioda coccinea ~ This one produces long spikes of up to twenty
flowers on ten inch plants, with flowers approximately one and one-half inches wide.
It blooms in spring.
Cochlioda noezliana ~ One of the last species of the genus to be discovered
and cultivated, (in 1891), it has small bright red orange flowers, with a disc of
golden yellow on the callus of the lip and a violet-purple column. Flowers are carried
on arching, occasionally branching twelve inch spikes. Pseudobulbs are about two
inches long, with leaves about six inches long. It blooms in winter or spring.
Cochlioda rosea ~ This was one of the first of the Cochlioda to be
discovered and cultivated, (in 1851). The entire plant is a deep green infused with
violet. Arching or pendulous spikes of approximately eight to sixteen inches long
carry five to twenty, rosy carmine flowers, about an inch in diameter with a pronounced
white column. Leaves are about eight inches long from the tops of the
pseudobulbs. This plant blooms in winter.
Cochlioda sanguinea ~ This one needs a rest period in the winter, when
it can be kept fairly dry. One writer recommends not removing the old spikes because
these may still develop additional blooms.
Cochlioda vulcanica ~ Six to twelve, wide-open, dark rose-pink or rose-purple
flowers are held on erect eight inch to fourteen inch long spikes, somewhat larger
than the others. This one blooms in late spring or autumn.
Cochliodas have contributed to numerous spectacular hybrids, among them Beallara,
(Brassia x Cochlioda x Odontoglossum), Burrageara, (Cochlioda x Miltonia x
Odontoglossum x Oncidium), and Vuylstekeara, (Cochlioda x Miltonia x Odontoglossum).
Though nearly impossible to pronounce, these plants are more easy to grow due to
their tolerance of wider temperature ranges.
Both for their own beauty and for their contribution to scores of beautiful new hybrids,
the Cochliodas have a welcome place among a collection of cool growing miniatures.
The following were helpful resources in preparing this article, as well as being
of general interest:
"Fascinating Botanicals for the Hobbyist", AOS Bulletin, February, 1957,
#26.
"Fifty Dwarf-Growing Orchid Species for Window Culture", AOS Bulletin,
April, 1977, #46.
The Manual Of Cultivated Orchid Species, by Helmut Bechtel, (et.al.).
"Oncidiinae Intergenerics", by Milton O. Carpenter, AOS Bulletin, January
1994, #63.
Orchids, A Complete Guide to Cultivation, by O. Eigeldinger and L.S. Murphy
All About Orchids, by Charles Marden Fitch Home
Orchid Growing, by Rebecca Northern
Miniature Orchids and How to Grow Them, by Rebecca Northern
The Orchid World, by Walter Richter
"Orchid Genera Illustrated--Cochlioda", by T. and M. Sheehan, AOS, March
1989, #58.
Orchids, (Kew Gardening Guides), by Joyce Stewart
Taylor's Guide to Orchids, by Judy White
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