365 days of orchids – day 575 – Pleurothallis gracillima
We will start the month of August with a great example of a ‘miniature’ orchid that can grow into a specimen. Plants flower well as tiny plants in 3cm pots or mounted but if left for long enough (the plant shown has been growing in its current basket for ten years) forms a ball that is covered in its delicate sprays of pink and yellow flowers.
This species of Pleurothallis is native to the cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador. It is another from the Specklinia section and is a small growing species that produces masses of flower in the summer but can produce the odd spike at any time in addition.
We find it grows well mounted or in pots and baskets. We grow the species in Cool Americas with lots of water especially in the summer when it is in most active growth.
Join the Discussion
Great excitement here. Edward and I have one of these cute little orchids on our window sill! It is in a tiny pot placed in a little coffee cup.
How much is “Lots of water” and how often should we water? I don’t think we have been watering our little plant enough.
Growing my plants on a windowsill I water every two or three days to keep plants damp but not drowning. Though if you are going away for a holiday it wouldn’t hurt to leave this species sitting in a tray of water.
Thank you. We definitely have not been watering our plant enough.
Ps Rain Beautiful Rain is. beautiful song!
Hi Simon, I bought this from you a second time. The same problem has happened again, all the leaves are falling off. I’ve kept the plant in Leca this time. Do the leaves normally fall in winter? There was a lot of damp on the leaves, may be it’s a fungus. I don’t want to lose the plant again, any suggestions?
Can you send a photo to wsbeorchids@gmail.com it is not a usual problem. We grow plants wet – spraying every day but with good drainage.