Overview
Guarianthe skinneri f. alba is a clump forming, columnar upright conservatory greenhouse in the genus Guarianthe, part of the Orchidaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Guarianthe skinneri f. alba grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1a. Suggested uses include houseplants and conservatory and greenhouse.
About
Guarianthe skinneri f. alba is a clump-forming, columnar upright orchid cultivar within the Guarianthe genus, which comprises epiphytic orchids native to humid forests across Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. This evergreen plant thrives in well-drained loam with neutral pH and prefers full sun exposure, ideally in a sheltered, south-facing position. Suitable for cultivation as a houseplant or in conservatories and greenhouses, it benefits from orchid bark and bright indirect light. It is hardy only under glass (H1a) and can be propagated by division, offering interest throughout all seasons.
About the genus
Guarianthe, abbreviated Gur. in the horticultural trade, is a small genus of epiphytic orchids, growing in wet forests in Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela and Trinidad. It was separated from the bifoliate Cattleyas in 2003, based on phylogenetic studies of nuclear DNA sequence data.
Wikipedia contributors, "Guarianthe", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Guarianthe
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Guarianthe
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1a
Plant details
Guarianthe skinneri f. alba size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants, Conservatory and greenhouse
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Guarianthe skinneri f. alba
- Propagation
- Division
- Pest resistance
- Glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, mealybugs, Thrips
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Guarianthe skinneri f. alba?
Guarianthe skinneri f. alba prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Guarianthe skinneri f. alba need?
Guarianthe skinneri f. alba grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Guarianthe skinneri f. alba hardy in the UK?
Guarianthe skinneri f. alba has an RHS hardiness rating of H1a, meaning it needs tropical warmth above 15°C and must be grown under glass in the UK.
How do I propagate Guarianthe skinneri f. alba?
Division.