Dracula vampira and experiment
 

I decided a while back (July?) to see what it takes to bloom a Dracula in outside Florida weather. Dracula species are typically native to high elevations where the humidity is very high, but the temperature is cool.

One of the Dracula species I have much of is Dracula vampira, so I decided to use a piece of it for the "experiment". This high elevation species is native to Mt. Pichincha, which is outside of Quito, Ecuador. Dracula vampira can be found at about a 2,000m elevation.

The division of Dracula vampira has been in outside Florida the entire time through the summer, fall, and now winter, without being moved to protect it from the heat or cold. Here is what I found to keep it alive... first, the plant needs plenty of available water, or water that can be pulled up or taken when needed. This can be easily supplemented by a small pot saucer. Second; little amount of light. Most higher elevation Dracula species like to be shaded out, and cannot tolerate higher amounts of light. Third is air circulation. This can be supplemented by a small fan working during the day, and shut off at night.

Thinking that Dracula comes from rather cooler weather, it would need these cold temperatures to grow, bloom, or even live. This is not true, but these conditions are more suitable for Dracula. If a person were to have over 50 Pleurothallids, it would be better to make an encasement of some kind to grow them (like a terrarium or coolhouse). If a person had a small collection of high elevation Pleurothallids, the simple way of growing outdoors is more practical.

Here's a picture of the Dracula vampira blooming outside today. Typically, when a Dracula is pulled from a coolhouse, the flowers will sag in about a minute. Here, the plant has supplemented conditions, where the temperature is warm, but the flowers are fine. Maybe the plant is accustomed to the warmth too? :)
(not the best picture, it's really hard to photograph Pleurothallids ;))
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...rchids2436.jpg

-Pat

Cool - congratulations! Do you have a pic of the whole plant, "in situ," so to speak? I'd love to see the exact conditions in which you're growing it...

Thankyou for the education. A fascinating and challenging orchid.

Agree with Alexis, I'd like to see the whole plant outdoors.

Excellent test of cultural conditions, great job well done :clap: :clap:

does anybody where I can get a vampira online? Unfortunatly there is no place locally that even sells orchids :(

Wow, very cool :drool:

Really great experiment!! I hope Sue sees this and finds that she doesn't have to give up on the cool growing Pleuros after all!!

I would assume the plant is mounted, thus being able to draw up moisture from a saucer. Is that right?

Thanks so much for sharing this!!

Dracula vampira - Dracula vampira
Right here, Aaron :waving
Hoosier Orchids - Hoosier Orchids : Pleurothallids
Orchids in Our Tropics - Masdevallia / Dracula - Orchids In Our Tropics