I was on a website that featured odd things- indeed i didn't say on very long because some of it/the things they showed/ wasn't good- but when I was on there I saw a weird orchid that had a monkey's face on it. not painted or anything just naturally occuring.



i would like to know more about this orchid. care and cultivation/ ect. without having to go back to that site.


thanks

There are actually 2 orchids with faces.

The monkey face orchid was originally in the genus Masdevallia, but was moved to the genus Dracula, species simia. It is an epiphytic orchid and the flowers smell like ripe oranges.

http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc...

This site sells D simia
http://www.andysorchids.com/pi...

The other is the baboon face orchid, Dracula anthracina.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/...

I found a nursery that sells D anthracina (baboon face)

http://www.akerne-orchids.com/...


The sites should have the info on care included

I have read Masdies like it cool and cooler. Intermediate growing conditions. So that is like temps in the mid to high 50s and highs up to mid 80's, cool but humid conditions. Think like high mountains cool temps in a rainforest setting.

Being from Ecuador and Columbia almost guarantees that these orchids like cool growing conditions and great humidity. These are the Pleurothallid Culture orchid species. They are many, and most prefer to live in temperatures ranging around 50 to 58 F at night with daytime temps in the 60 to 75F range . Here is some info for cultivation etc.

http://www.mountainorchids.com...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

My pleurothallids are happiest here in my area during late Fall to early Spring when we get cooler temps, tule fog, occasional cool rains..that is when I get some blooms. It is really great they thrive better here during our very mild winters. But mine are Barbosellas, not masdies. Come summer..I just try to find the shadiest spot I can and frequently water them to cool down. Thankfully this May is cooler than usual..fun for the 'chids.

Down here it would require a shade house and swamp cooler in summer, and would still have to have heat in winter. ( http://home.howstuffworks.com/... )

Plants that come from cloud forests are almost always incredibly hard to grow, it's not an easy environment to duplicate...

It's been a while since I looked but I thought I remember there being quite a few species of Dracula orchid.

i do not know if this is an all inclusive list, but there are about 125-130 species in Dracula. Unfortunately, their habitat is specific, and some are becoming endangered. The 3rd link has lots of really nice pictures...

http://www.dracula-species.eu/...

http://www.dracula-species.eu/...

http://orchidphotos.org/images...

Agree with Swayback, really hard to duplicate optimal growing conditions.

Oh I remember, during the Pacific Orchid Show here last Feb here in San Francisco, they have various masdies on display..and as you can see they have enclosed the orchids in this special booth, just to sustain their needs during the show, unlike the other orchids that were just freely on tables during the show. Just shows, if you will try these dracula orchids, you have to be ready to provide extra effort to duplicate its growth environment..otherwise, it will be really frustrating. You would need a good cool greenhouse.

A friend of mine has a home with 2 and 3/4 baths...the smaller one had a shower enclosed in glass. He installed a skylight and a water cooler system and grew his Pleurothallid genera in there...tile and glass and orchids...oh my. Not many can be that extravagant or indulgent... told him that may be why he has never married.

Neat pix Tarev

Thanks Jean! Trying to visualize your description of your friend's pleurothallids..heaven for those plants indeed

Plantsmylove, if you feel like trying one, it would sure be a learning experience to grow one.

Nope I have enough plants, esspeically sense getting the A bulbifer. staff have issued a ban on plants, so I need to stick to it. I have 14 in this room alone.