Where can I buy a Monkey Orchid??

[JanS]

One of our Southern California TV news stations has a feature called "Fact or Fiction" on which they try to verify or dispel (mostly internet) here-say. Last night they had photos of an orchid that has a flower looking just like a monkey face. They claimed it was true, so I had to investigate further. Yes, this orchid is a very recent (1979) discovery living only at relatively high elevations (1000-2000 meters) in Ecuador and Peru: Dracula simia ( what a cool name!!) also smells like "ripe oranges".

Since I am amassing a fragrant orchid collection I gotta have one. Supposedly it is rare - anyone have leads to a source where we could get one??

[greengarden]

Not sure where you are but there are a few draculas that have a simian sort of look to them. Check out this link and have a look through the pics, you might be able to get something else a bit easier that has a monkey face. Dracula gigas is cute
J&L Orchids ~ Draculas

[Ray]

I was at a speaking engagement with Marguerite Webb (one of the owners of J&L) just last weekend, and she was telling me about the huge number of inquiries she has gotten about those, due to the TV publicity - even folks who, due to not having the right growing conditions, shouldn't even consider buying them.

DO NOT buy a plant just because it's "cool", "neat", or you "really like the looks of it". Understand the needs of the plant and then analyze how well you can-, or how far you'll go to provide those necessary cultural parameters.

Unless you grow in controlled chambers, I really doubt that southern California is appropriate for that plant.

[Paul Mc]

I have to agree with Ray in stating that you should check the cultural requirements of this particular one. They are extremely sensitive to temperature as humidity. I'm on my 4th Masdie in a year and still can't quite get it right. However, my fourth has now lived longer than the other 3 combined, but still not great. I will be modifying my approach/ care yet again. These can be very tricky is my main point.

[Paul Mc]

Masdie's have some similar requirements to Draculas which is why I mentioned it. My understanding is that Draculas can be a bit more tricky still.

[greengarden]

Sorry I can't help much as far as climate goes as I'm pretty clueless when it comes to the climate zones over there. I have a few Masdevellias out under my patio and they do well here so I'm lucky I guess in that way. That said I did try a pleurothallis out there and lost it so it can be a bit hit and miss. Might start trying a few more of this alliance once my greenhouse is properly built.

[JanS]

Thanks for the J&L link.

I appreciate Ray's comments about not buying an orchid if one can't satisfy its growing requirements - but many of us love challenges. I would only buy a cultured plant, not one ripped out of the jungle somewhere and sent to its doom.

I live very close to the coast near San Diego and we are in a microclimate area that stays fairly cool in the summer and downright cold in the winter. I have 2 small greenhouses (the cost was nearly the same to extend my first one or just get a second) so I divide my plants into two different "climates". I've been able to keep a number of high altitude orchids alive and well, as well as wild pitcher plants from Northern Minnessota that stay dormant all winter despite never getting to freezing. I agree though, it's pointless for many people to buy an orchid like the Dracula just because they saw it on TV...

[ronaldhanko]

Dracula simia is not that recent a discovery. It was first described in 1978 as you say, but discovered some. The second photo shows this species, but the first photo does not. That photo shows the similarly named Dracula sijmii, first described in 2002. "Simia" refers to monkeys, "sijmii" does not but to a Dutch orchid collector. If these are photos from the program you watched, the station ought to get its facts right.

[Nanook 2010]

Originally Posted by Ray

I was at a speaking engagement with Marguerite Webb (one of the owners of J&L) just last weekend, and she was telling me about the huge number of inquiries she has gotten about those, due to the TV publicity - even folks who, due to not having the right growing conditions, shouldn't even consider buying them.

DO NOT buy a plant just because it's "cool", "neat", or you "really like the looks of it". Understand the needs of the plant and then analyze how well you can-, or how far you'll go to provide those necessary cultural parameters.

Unless you grow in controlled chambers, I really doubt that southern California is appropriate for that plant.

I constantly buy plants because they are "cool" or "neat". How about just answering her question and let her figure out if they can be grown in CA or not.

I really enjoy going to my local orchid grower and then going home and doing days of research to decide if I have the correct cultural parameters..wow

Ray.....this the beginner section...

just buy one (if someone answers your question) do your best to grow, and if it dies, try something different or move on....

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Nanook 2010

I constantly buy plant because they are "cool" or "neat". How about just answering her question and let her figure out if they can be grown in CA or not.

I really enjoy going to my local orchid grower and then going home and doing days of research to decide if I have the correct cultural parameters..

Ray.....this the beginner section...

just buy one (if someone answers your question) do your best to grow, and if it dies, try something different or move on....

It would be irresponsible and just plain mean for someone to tell another person to go buy an expensive (Draculas are not cheap plants) orchid that will most likely die. Not to mention the fact that Dracs are some of the most difficult orchids to grow without fairly precise conditions to be successful. As this is the beginner section, such advice is not only warranted, but common sense.