This is a fairly common epiphytic orchid in cultivation. And, even though it´s an asiatic species, cultivated specimes can produce seeds...Read More and create large colonies naturally here in Brazil.
It has a long, erect stem with alternate leathery leaves. From the base of each leaf, it produces thick roots that will help it climbing up on trees. The flowers come in large inflorescences. They are medium sized, with red and white spotted sepals and petals, and a small white labellum. There are cultivars with more white or more red flowers, or even purplish or orange coloured ones. The blooming colonies are amazing.
It grows climbing on trees, holding the trunks and branches with its thick roots. It can grow a lot, and form large colonies. There´s a Mango Tree in the Botanical Garden with something around 200 stems of Coral Orchids growing on there. It does not harm the trees, though. Can be reproduced from seeds (in laboratory) or from simple stem cuttings - make sure to not damage the roots when cutting it.
Since it needs a vertical support, it would be better planted on trees, or some kind of fibrous support. It needs regular watering, high temperatures, and can tolerate both full sun and light shade.
This is a fairly common epiphytic orchid in cultivation. And, even though it´s an asiatic species, cultivated specimes can produce seeds...Read More