This is one of the favorite brazilian orchids, widely cultivated and used for hybridization, with many different cultivars. Still, it is ...Read Morecollected illegally from natural sites, which is contributing to its extinction...
Anyway, this is a short epiphyte, with cylindric pseudobulbs and a pair of round, leathery leaves on the top. The apical inflorescence bears 1 to many big, scented, and long lived flowers that vary from white to magenta, with even spotted varieties. The lip folds the broad collumn, while its frontal lobe remains flat, and often with a darker color than the rest of the flower. Hummingbirds love it.
It needs an organic medium (bark bits or fiber), although it isn´t very fond of vases, preffering to have its roots free to breath fresh air. A good piece of chopped wood or Tree Fern may do it. It needs constant watering, light shade or even a few hours of filtered sun light, and high temperatures. Mind, this is an endangered species, so be careful of the procedence when buying it.
In natural conditions, growing on trees in the brazilian woods, this species an be seen forming immense colonies, sometimes so massive that the branches where they are hanging from fall flat on the ground.
This is one of the favorite brazilian orchids, widely cultivated and used for hybridization, with many different cultivars. Still, it is ...Read More