Species Orchid, Saddle-Shaped Pabstia

Pabstia is a small genus with only one species, the epiphyte P. jugosa, from the dephts of the brazilian rainforests, specialy onve the m...Read Moreountains of Rio de Janeiro.

It´s a vigorous plant with an ovate, 6cm tall pseudobulb, and long, broad, curved, shiny, alternate leaves. The inflorescence bears up to 6 medium sized to small flowers. These flowers, once called "true jewels on this dark environment", have white sepals and deep purple petals and lip, with white spots and marked veins.

This species is very well adapted to its environment: the lower half of the trees, protected from any sun light, a highly humid place. Sometimes, large colonies of about 30 pseudobulbs can be found stuck on a single tree. Although it may be found very close to the soil, it never appears as a terrestrial, probably because the roots need some air circulation.

Because of that strict adaptation, it doesn´t survive outside these conditions. To be successfully grown, plant it on a hanging basket, on bark bits or fiber, and keep it constantly moist and very humid, and protected from the sun. The temperatures are moderate, but must never go below 0°C.