This is a lovely little epiphyte is endemic to Costa Rica and it was registered as early as 1855. Lepanthes is a large genus with over 700 species that can be found across the Antilles and through Central- to South America. The lip is actually so highly specialized that it requires its own terminology to describe. An absolutely fascinating species that I am just beginning […]
This is a small hot to cool growing epiphyte found across Central- to South America. It grows in wet montane forests from sea level and up to about 1000 meters and it would probably prefer a little warmer temperatures than what I am providing, but alas, it is blooming so it is not complaining too much. The flowers never quite open all the way and can […]
Finally!! After countless blasted buds this beautiful, but finicky, Dracula is blooming for me and I am sooo excited! It has been trying to bloom for months now, but the buds have blasted one after one with about a week to go before opening. It has been both frustrating and heartbreaking, especially since I haven’t been able to put my finger on exactly exactly […]
A somewhat shy looking Masdevallia only found in Ecuador where it grows at altitudes of 1200 to 1500 meters. It is named after El Pangui, the capital city of the Zamora-Chinchipe Province in Southeastern Ecuador where it was first found by Luer and Andreetta in 1983. This is another lovely species from the impressive section Durae in Masdevallia, a section known for its large […]
A friend of mine is travelling in Costa Rica right now. He is spending a whole month there climbing around in the mountain rainforests looking for orchids. He is telling the story as he goes and posting some beautiful photos as well. I am really enjoying following his adventures from afar […]
This is such an ethereal and elegant little Masdevallia. At first the flowers might seem a bit bland and colorless, but when you really look at them up close you see that the they are cast in an almost metallic sheen. The incredible subtle purple details inside the flowers are further accentuated by the plain outside wrapper. Quite stunning really.
Masdevallia norae originates from South America where it grows at […]
Oh I have been waiting for this one to bloom for a year now, and here it is. Finally! …and what a beautiful flower it is!! A long lasting sensual flower with elegant flowing shapes in delicate shades of cream and white… It has a very pleasant fragrance that grows a lot stronger at night. I read somewhere that it was supposed to […]
For the past few weeks I have been working on a few long awaited upgrades for the cool vivarium. Well, long awaited for me, I am not a very patient person… Now they are finally all done and I am very pleased with the results. So here is an updated photo of the viv today along with an account of all […]
