365 days of orchids – day 345 – Pleurothallis alvaroi
This is a delicate multi-flowered species with large translucent sepals and characteristic drooping petals. Pleurothallis alvaroi is native endemic to Ecuador where it grows in cloud forests at around 2000m and the species is found in a wide range of colour forms including yellows, browns and reds making it a great addition to any collection. Our plant is this soft pinky brown and the effect on a large plant is very attractive.
We have grown the plant mounted and in pots and find that while a mount shows off the rather pendulous habit well it is important to keep the plant well watered to avoid heat stress marks on the leaves and so pot culture is a little easier.
[…] Finally, if you want more orchids in your life (and who wouldn’t..?), it’s not too late to catch up with Simon Pugh-Jones’ 365 days of orchids. […]