365 days of orchids – day 501 – Sobralia leucoxantha
This is another of our giant sobralia species. It grows thin canes about 2m long and in late spring these have large (15cm across) flowers that last about two days. This is a lot of leaves and stems for a couple of days flowers but we are really fond of the species as it has a dramatic splendour all of its own.
The species is native to Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia where it grows as a terrestrial or epiphyte. We grow it in a 90 cm diameter tree container. It is about time we split the plant up – a major operation! and we will send bits of the plant to the Eden Project, Bristol University Botanic Garden and Bristol Aquarium so that more people can enjoy this great plant.
Saw this plant growing in old lava flows around the Arenal volcano along with S bradeorum,the plants were in large clumps about 50cm in height.
Thanks for your comment Doug – that sounds amazing – do you have a photo we could share?