About
An epiphytic orchid of dry forests in Ecuador and Peru with tall, one-leaved pseudobulbs and lilac to pale rose flowers marked by a dark-veined lip.
Care at a glance
- Pet safety
- Listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses. General guidance for the genus
- People
- Not recorded.
- Light
- Bright light such as an east- or west-facing window; direct sun burns the leaves. Mid-green leaves indicate good light, dark green too little. General guidance for the genus
- Water
- Let the potting medium dry completely between waterings, then run lukewarm water through the pot until it drains. Avoid salt-softened water and water colder than 10 °C (50 °F). General guidance for the genus
- Humidity
- Above 50%; a pebble tray under the pot helps. Good air circulation is essential. General guidance for the genus
- Temperature
- About 21–29 °C (70–85 °F) by day and 13–16 °C (55–60 °F) at night. General guidance for the genus
- Soil
- Coarse orchid bark (chopped fir or redwood) or an inorganic kiln-fired medium; never ordinary potting soil. General guidance for the genus
- Pot
- Repot about every two years, in spring or just before new roots appear, when the rhizome grows over the pot edge or the medium breaks down. General guidance for the genus
- Propagation
- Divide when repotting, keeping at least three healthy pseudobulbs per division; also raised from seed or tissue culture. General guidance for the genus
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 10a–12b; grown indoors or under glass elsewhere. General guidance for the genus
“General guidance for the genus” marks advice sourced for the genus as a whole rather than this species.
Field notes
Morphology
Club-shaped pseudobulbs to about 39 cm topped by one thick, oblong leaf up to 35 cm long; plant about 61 cm tall overall. A stem to 30 cm carries 3–6 flowers (upland form) or 12–15 (lowland form), each 12–15 cm across. The tubular, frilled lip has dark purple veins and a yellow centre.
Distribution & habitat
Epiphytic on trees in dry forest from 100 to 1800 m in Ecuador and Peru; the upland form also grows on rocky slopes.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- Ecuador, Peru
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- Not recorded
- Temperature
- About 21–29 °C (70–85 °F) by day and 13–16 °C (55–60 °F) at night.
- Humidity
- Above 50%; a pebble tray under the pot helps. Good air circulation is essential.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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