Cattleya Orchid Source: Mexico

Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts

Laelia rubescens Photographs

Photograph of Laelia rubescens.
Pale lavender flowers bloom on compact plants.
Photo by orchidgalore.

Laelia rubescens is one of my favorite species of Laelia from Mexico. The pale lavender flowers are charming. Grow in baskets or mount on cork bark to make stunning specimens.

See the blog post on Laelia rubescens for more information on the species description and orchid species cultural information.

Epidendrum veroscriptum

Common Name: Lettered Epidendrum Orchid
Native to: Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua. Epidendrum veroscriptum grows on trees between 700 and 1700 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Small to Medium. Epidendrum veroscriptum has short, cane-like stems that have a few leaves.
Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Flower Description: Fragrant. Epidendrum veroscriptum blooms on a 15 inch (35 cm) branched flower stem. Many flowers bloom at once and perfume the air. The petals and sepals are green and the lip is white with purple markings.
Bloom Season: Summer to Fall
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Epidendrum veroscriptum is an attractive species and is a welcome addition most any collection. Grow this species mounted on cork bark, tree fern, or grow in slatted baskets or well-drained pots. Provide even water and fertilizer throughout the year and warm growing conditions.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum umbelliferum

Common Name: Umbel-Flowered Epidendrum
Native to: Florida, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, Columbia, Peru, Ecuador, Guyana, Brazil, and islands in the Caribbean. It grows on trees.
Plant Size: Miniature.
Flower Size: 0.5 inches (1 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum umbelliferum are produced on a tightly packed, unbranched terminal inflorescence.
Bloom Season: Spring
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Epidendrum umbelliferum is closely related to Epidendrum difforme but has enough unique characteristics to remain as a distinct species. Grow mounted on cork bark or tree fern and provide even moisture and fertilizer throughout the year.
Synonyms: Epidendrum chlorocorymbos, Epidendrum panegyricum, Epidendrum pseudodifforme, Epidendrum subumbellatum

Epidendrum tuxtlense

Common Name: Tuxtla Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico. Epidendrum tuxtlense is found growing in the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Vera Cruz. This species grows on trees in rain-forests and deciduous forests between 1300 and 1700 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Medium to Large. Epidendrum tuxtlense has tall, reed-like stems that have many leaves.
Flower Size: 0.33 inches (1 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum tuxtlense are produced on a short, tightly packed flower stem that develops from the tip of mature stems. Unlike most other species, the flower stem produces flowers for several years. One growth can produce up to 32 blooms. Flowers are fragrant.
Bloom Season: Late Spring to Early Fall
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Epidendrum tuxtlense is named after the San Andres de Tuxtla region in the Mexican state of Vera Cruz. Grow mounted on cork or tree fern plaques or grow in a slatted basket. This species was first described to the scientific community in 1999 and is very similar to Epidendrum polyanthemum.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum tridactylum

Common Name: Three-fingered Epidendrum Orchid
Native to: Mexico south to Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia. Epidendrum tridactylum grows on rock-strewn slopes in wet forests near 1900 meters in elevation. This species is a terrestrial plant.
Plant Size: Medium. Epidendrum tridactylum has reed-like stems that have four or five leaves.
Flower Size: 0.5 inches (1.5 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum tridactylum are produced on a branched inflorescence. The color of the flowers is highly variable.
Bloom Season: Spring
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Grow Epidendrum tridactylum in well-drained pots with terrestrial orchid mix. Keep moist year-round and provide humid growing conditions. It is adaptable to many growing temperatures.
Synonyms: Amblostoma cernua, Amblostoma densum, Amblostoma dusenii, Amblostoma tridactylum, Epidendrum amblostoma

Epidendrum stamfordianum

Common Name: Stamford's Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico south to Columbia and Venezuela. Epidendrum stamfordianum grows in seasonally dry forest and is usually found growing on large tree limbs.
Plant Size: Medium. Epidendrum stamfordianum has upright pseudobulbs with three or four oblong leaves.
Flower Size: 1.5 inches (3.75 cm)
Flower Description: The flower stem emerges from the base of a maturing pseudobulb and grows to 24 inches (60 cm) tall. Flowers are fragrant.
Bloom Season: Winter, Spring, Summer
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Epidendrum stamfordianum was named after Mr. Stamford who was an English orchid grower and collector who lived during the 1800's. Grow mounted on driftwood or cork bark and provide ample water and frequent fertilization during the spring and summer months. Allow the plants to rest (i.e. reduce water and fertilizer) during the cooler fall and winter months. Wild-collected plants may sulk for up to two years before making new growth.
Synonyms: Auliza stamfordiana, Epidendrum basilare, Epidendrum cycnostachys, Epidendrum cycnostalix, Epidendrum stamfordianum var. lawrenceanum, Epidendrum stamfordianum var. leeanum, Epidendrum stamfordianum var. parviflorum, Epidendrum stamfordianum var. pictum, Epidendrum stamfordianum var. wallacei, Psilanthemum basilare

Epidendrum scriptum

Common Name: Spotted Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica. Epidendrum scriptum grows as a terrestrial plant near streams and rivers between 900 to 2000 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Large
Flower Size: 0.75 inches (2 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum scriptum are produced in quantity on a 4 inch (10 cm) terminal flower stem. The flowers open over a long period of time. There are spots on the flowers.
Bloom Season: Spring to Fall
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Epidendrum scriptum is closely related to Epidendrum veroscriptum and Epidendrum paniculatum. Grow this species in well drained pots with good terrestrial orchid mix. Provide even water throughout the year. The plant blooms for a long period of time and produces impressive specimens with time.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum rigidum

Common Name: Rigid Epidendrum
Native to: South Florida, Caribbean islands, Mexico to Venezuela to Peru. Epidendrum rigidum grows in wet forests on trees. This tropical species is found in semi-deciduous, evergreen, and mangrove forests. It is found from sea level to 1300 meters.
Plant Size: Medium. Epidendrum rigidum has reed-like stems with up to six leaves.
Flower Size: 0.5 inches (1.2 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers are produced at the tip of the mature stems.
Bloom Season: Spring and Fall
Growing Temperature: Cool to Warm
Additional Information: Epidendrum rigidum has been found growing in south Florida. Grow mounted on cork bark or tree fern plaques or grow in a well-drained pot or slatted basket.
Synonyms: Epidendrum cardiophorum, Epidendrum pium, Spathiger rigidus

Epidendrum repens

Common Name: Crawling Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico south to Panama, Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Leeward Islands. Epidendrum repens is a widespread species that grows on trees.
Plant Size: Small. The sprawling stems are long and are covered with green leaves.
Flower Size: 0.75 inches (2 cm)
Flower Description: Flowers are produced singly on a short infloresence at the leaf axil. The plants bloom over a long period of time.
Bloom Season: Spring to Fall
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: This widespread species is somewhat variable and has a creeping habit. Grow mounted on in shallow pots and let the stems ramble over the edge.
Synonyms: Epidendrum bourgeaui, Epidendrum protractum, Epidendrum ramistratum, Epidendrum solisequum, Spathiger repens

Epidendrum raniferum

Common Name: Frog-carrying Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico to Costa Rica. Epidendrum raniferum grows on trees in wet forests.
Plant Size: Large. Epidendrum raniferum has tall, upright reed-like stems.
Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum raniferum are produced on a terminal inflorescence that grows to 7 inches (18 cm) in height. Flowers are formed on mature stems.
Bloom Season: Fall. Sometimes in the Spring.
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Grow Epidendrum raniferum mounted on cork or grow in a slatted basket. Provide water and fertilizer throughout the year.
Synonyms: Epidendrum raniferum var. luteum, Epidendrum raniferum var. lutescens, Epidendrum raniferum var. hexadactylum, Epidendrum raniferum var. obtusilobum

Epidendrum radioferens

Common Name: Rayed-lip Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras. Epidendrum radioferens grows on trees in wet forests.
Plant Size: Medium.
Flower Size: Small.
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum radioferens are produced on a terminal inflorescence that develops on mature growths.
Bloom Season: Winter
Growing Temperature: Cool to Warm
Additional Information: Grow this species mounted on cork bark or tree fern plaques. Provide ample water and fertilizer during periods of active growth and reduce water during cool months of the year.
Synonyms: Epidendrum arbuscula var. radioferens

Epidendrum radicans

Common Name: Ground-rooting Epidendrum Orchid
Native to: Mexico to Columbia. Epidendrum radicans is a widespread species that grows as a terrestrial plant in moist rocky meadows. and disturbed areas in mixed pine-oak forests. It is found growing between 900 and 2500 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Large. Epidendrum radicans has tall reed-like stems with numerous linear leaves. The plant has roots all along the stem. The plants have creeping habit.
Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum radicans are produced on a terminal inflorescence that grows to 15 inches (50 cm) tall. Many flowers are clustered at the tip of the stem and the flowers open over a period of time.
Bloom Season: Spring to Fall
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Epidendrum radicans is one of the most common reed-stem Epidendrum species. Grow in a pot with terrestrial orchid mix. The plants develop large specimens with age and bloom heavily for a long period of time. Easy to grow. Epidendrum radicans is closely related to Epidendrum ibaguense.
Synonyms: Epidendrum pratense, Epidendrum rhizophorum

Epidendrum pugioniforme

Common Name: Dagger-shaped Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico. Epidendrum pugioniforme grows on oak trees and rocks in mixed pine-oak forests. This species is only found growing in the southwestern portion of Mexico.
Plant Size: Medium. Epidendrum pugioniforme grows upside down (pendant) and has pseudobulbs that grow up to six inches (15 cm) tall. Each growth produces up to five leaves.
Flower Size: 2.25 inches (5.5 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum pugioniforme are produced on newly matured pseudobulbs that have up to 10 star-shaped, copper-brown flowers. The lip is green and shaped like a dagger. The flowers are lightly fragrant and have a soapy scent.
Bloom Season: Winter to early Summer
Growing Temperature: Cool
Additional Information: Epidendrum pugioniforme was first described to the scientific community in 1890. Due to the pendant growing habit of this species, it needs to be grown mounted on cork bark, tree fern, or driftwood. Provide a semi-dry rest period during the cooler months and increase water and fertilizer when growth begins.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum pseudohueycatenangense

Common Name: False Hueycatena Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico. Epidendrum pseudohueycatenangense grows on oak trees around 1300 meters in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
Plant Size: Small.
Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum pseudohueycatenangense are produced on short terminal inflorescence that bear a few flowers. The flowers open over an extended period to time.
Bloom Season: Winter?
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: False Hueycatena Epidendrum was named after the Mexican town of Hueycatena. Grow mounted on cork bark and provide even moisture.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum propinquum

Common Name: Closely Related Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador. Epidendrum propinquum grows on trees or more commonly as terrestrial plants between 500 and 2700 meters in elevation. It is found in oak, oak-pine, and evergreen tropical forests.
Plant Size: Large. Epidendrum propinquum has reed-like stems. The stems branch with age.
Flower Size: 0.75 inches
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum propinquum are produced on terminal inflorescences and have around ten flowers. The flowers open all at one time and have a mild, pleasant fragrance.
Bloom Season: Spring to Fall
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Grow Epidendrum propinquum in well-drained pots in a high-quality terrestrial orchid mix. Provide humid conditions with water and fertilizer throughout the year.
Synonyms: Epidendrum cingillum, Epidendrum lamprocaulon, Epidendrum ledifolium, Epidendrum lucidum

Epidendrum polyanthum

Common Name: Many-flowered Epidendrum
Native to: Southern Mexico to Costa Rica, Venezuela and Brazil. It is found in the Mexican state of Chiapas. Epidendrum polyanthum is widespread and grows on trees in low elevation forests.
Plant Size: Medium. Epidendrum polyanthum has upright reed-like stems that have many dark green leaves.
Flower Size: 0.75 inches (2 cm)
Flower Description: Epidendrum polyanthum produces many flowers on an 18 inch (45 cm) flower stem. Up to 20 flowers bloom on one stem. The flowers open up over a long period of time.
Bloom Season: Summer. It can bloom any time of year but most blooming happens during the summer.
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Grow in well-drained pots, slatted baskets or on cork bark. Provide even water and fertilizer throughout the year. The plant is adaptable and easy to grow.
Synonyms: Epidendrum bisetum, Epidendrum colorans, Epidendrum funiferum, Epidendrum heteroglossum, Epidendrum lansbergii, Epidendrum polystachyum, Epidendrum quinquelobum, Epidendrum stallforthianum, Epidendrum verrucipes

Epidendrum incomptum

Common Name: Insignificant Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico south to Panama. Epidendrum incomptum grows on trees between 900 to 1600 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Small. The stems are reed-like and have between two and four leaves.
Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Flower Description: A short flower stems produces up to 20 flowers.
Bloom Season: Late Winter to Spring
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Epidendrum incomptum is quite compact and a good candidate for slab or raft culture. Mount on cork bark or tree fern. Provide warm growing conditions with even water throughout the year.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum ibaguense

Native to: Mexico south to Argentina. Epidendrum ibaguense grows on rocks or as a terrestrial orchid.
Plant Size: Large. The plants are variable but generally have upright stems with many leaves spaced along the stem. Sometimes keikis will form on the flower stem.
Flower Size: 1.25 inches (3.25 cm)
Flower Description: Flowers of Epidendrum ibaguense are brightly colored and are produced on a 14 inch (35 cm) unbranched flower stem that develops at the tip of mature stems. The flowers open over a prolonged period of time.
Bloom Season: Blooms throughout the year. Sometime it is everblooming.
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Epidendrum ibaguense is widespread and adaptable. Large specimens seem to always be in bloom. Easy to grow. Provide a pot with good drainage and a well-drained terrestrial orchid mix. Grow in bright light; the foliage should be yellow-green in color. Provide even water, temperature, and moisture thoughout the year for best results.
Synonyms: Epidendrum baumannianum, Epidendrum bituberculatum, Epidendrum fraternum, Epidendrum miquelii, Epidendrum planiceps, Epidendrum smithii, Epidendrum sororium

Epidendrum hueycantenangense

Common Name: Hueycantantengo Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico. Epidendrum hueycantenangense is native to the Mexican states of Guerrero and Oaxaca where it is found growing between 1800 and 1950 meters. It grows on trees.
Plant Size: Medium. Epidendrum hueycantenangense produces reed-like stems with up to ten fleshy leaves.
Flower Size: 0.75 inches (2 cm)
Flower Description: A few small flowers are produced on a pendulous terminal inflorescence. The three inch-long flower stem can produce new flowers for several years.
Bloom Season: Fall to Winter
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Do not cut the flower stem after the flowers fade because it may produce new flowers for a number of years. Grow mounted on in slatted baskets with coarse fir bark. Provide Cattleya orchid growing conditions.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum guerrerense

Common Name: Guerrero Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico. Epidendrum guerrerense is native to the Mexican state of Guerrero in the southern part of the country where it grows between 1800 and 1900 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Small.
Flower Size: 0.5 inches (1.5 cm)
Flower Description: Epidendrum guerrerense produce between ten an thirty flowers on a pendant terminal inflorescence. Unlike most other orchids, this species will produce flowers from a flower stem for many years. The flowers open at the same time and do not have any fragrance.
Bloom Season: Fall to Early Winter
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: something interesting
Synonyms: None.