This is an intermediate to cool growing cloud forest species from Costa Rica where it grows at altitudes between 1700-2500 meters. I grow it mounted on EpiWeb, on my “Lepanthes branch”, in the cool vivarium, wet and humid and low light. The flowers are rather large for the genus, measuring about 23 mm tall. I think it is simply stunning and I just love the hairy fringe – all hairy flowers are awesome in my book – and the flamboyant color and shape. Near perfection in other words!
Being able to truly appreciate it without the need for a magnifying glass is a clear bonus as well. I really think this would be a more widely grown genus if the flowers were larger and the amazing detail was more apparent to the naked eye. Dear husband rolls his eyes and tells me to just photograph them so he can see them properly when I try to show him these little gems. I see his point but adore them all the same.
My large photo here in this post was actually awarded “photo of the week” from the American Orchid Society. Nice! Especially since I still consider myself a novice photographer… granted I’m heavily influenced by my profession as a designer, but still. Thanks!
Congratulations on your photo award!! You really show this plants beauty in your pictures.
Thank you Sebastian!! 🙂
Wow! Such an elegant and interesting flower!
Thank you!
This is an amazing shot Karma, and your site is equally elegant. Great job and thanks for sharing your devotion!
Thanks a lot Mike! Very nice to hear that you enjoy my photos and my blog. 🙂
I love you picture style it so beatiful very great shot !!
Thank you very much Maple! 🙂
Hello from Ontario,Canada.I have just now found your site after purchasing some back issues of Orchid.I am so happy and am very impressed with your photography and orchid culture.How do I learn more about epiweb?Keep up the great work and thanks.Kurt
Thanks Kurt! Nice to hear you like my blog. 🙂 I personally no longer recommend orchid culture on EpiWeb. To answer your question I suggest you start by reading my findings on EpiWeb, here, and here. I have transferred over all my orchids to natural materials for the past few years. For Pleurothallids and Neofinetia mainly cork, Paphiopedilum in a mix of primarily bark.
Good luck with your orchids!
Hello Karma, First of all I must admit that coming across your website made me start growing orchids again after 30 years. Especially the technical information about building a cool orchidarium. I always wanted to start growing masevallia’s, but didn’t know how. I learned a lot. Thanks!
Above you write that you transferred your Pleurothallids over to cork. Does this mean that you don’t grow most of your orchids in pots with for instance sphagnum, but on blocks of cork?
Ow, this afternoon I was looking for a trip to Costa Rica for two things: orchids and dart frogs. And now I read that you are going at the end of the year. Wow this will be an incredible experience. It’s a little early but I wish you al the best for this trip.
Thanks Andre! Very nice to hear that my blog was an inspiration to you. I am very happy to hear that you found your way back to orchids again! 🙂
Oh and yes, I am going to Costa Rica this winter, it will be an incredible trip! I am literally counting the days. A true pilgrimage for an orchid nerd.
To answer your question, I grow mostly mounted on cork slabs, but also using 1-2 cm cork chunks in mesh pots.
Ok, thnx for the info.
I’m growing the few orchids that I have in sphagnum. But I was looking for something else. Like Hygrolon. Never thought about chopped cork 🙂
Thnx again.
You are welcome! I personally prefer the culture conditions of natural materials best, one reason I stopped using from EpiWeb. Cork holds up well in a high humidity environment like a vivarium.