2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Chysis - a genus of herbaceous perennial plants belonging to the Orchid family (Latin Orchidaceae). It differs from many types of orchids in wide oval-lanceolate leaves, similar to those of ordinary plants; multi-flowered inflorescences of small flowers, born from the axils of the lower leaves; A "bunch" of pollinia responsible for the continuation of the genus. Khizis is popular in indoor floriculture.
What's in your name
Latin name of the genus"
Chysis ”Is based on the Greek word meaning“heap”. Plants of the genus owe this name to their reproductive organs, called "pollinium". In plants of the genus Khizis, there are eight of them, which are divided into small and large, 4 pieces of both. Their number and crowded arrangement created the association with the "heap".
In the literature on decorative floriculture, the genus name is reduced to three letters - “
Chy ».
The name of the genus "Chysis" officially adopted by botanists for various reasons has synonyms, one of which is "Thorvaldsenia".
The type species of the genus is “
Chysis aurea (Khizis golden).
Description of a number of species of the genus "Chysis" belongs to the English botanist, John Lindley (John Lindley, 1799 - 1865), a great connoisseur of plants in the orchid family.
Description
Plants of the genus Hisis naturally live in the humid forests of Central and South America, located above sea level up to an altitude of 2000 meters. As epiphytes, they are located on tropical trees, spreading their freedom-loving roots, like senile beards, along the trunk of the support. Some of the lithophytes prefer rocky mountain slopes. Although plants of the genus Hisis are widespread, they are quite rare.
Fusiform pseudobulbs, growing up to 45 centimeters long, have a slightly thickened end and often take on a mournful appearance, drooping to the surface of the earth.
The appearance of the broad-oval lanceolate leaves is more like the herbaceous leaves of Lily of the Valley than the fleshy or leathery leaves of many orchid species. Distinct longitudinal veins, lost in the sharp tip of the leaf, give a ribbed-crumpled appearance to the sheet platinum. The sheath of the previous leaf gently hugs the subsequent leaf.
From the axils of the leaves located in the lower part of the stem, even before the complete formation of all the leaves of the plant, strong peduncles are born, bearing multi-flowered spring inflorescences. The flowers, forming a fragrant inflorescence, are medium and large for the orchid community, fleshy, giving the impression that the lip of the flower is molded from beeswax. The flower petals are colored yellow, pink or white.
Varieties
The Heathis clan is not too numerous. According to various sources, it includes from 6 to 10 species, of which three species are most often used in culture:
* Chysis aurea:
* Chysis bractescens:
* Chysis tricostata:
Growing conditions
Plants of the genus Hisis, being epiphytes, grow best on the rough bark of trees, or in hanging flower pots or baskets filled with a substrate that provides good drainage, allowing the roots to dry quickly after watering. Watering in the summer is carried out daily, during the dormant period of the plant watering is stopped.
Although orchids love good lighting, direct sunlight is harmful to the leaves, as they provoke burns on the surface of the leaf plate. Therefore, the light should be bright, but diffused.
The temperature regime is divided into four types, depending on the season (active growing season or dormant period), as well as on the time of day. On a summer day it is 20 to 28 degrees Celsius; on a summer night around 17; in the winter period of rest, the temperature is maintained at about 13 degrees.
