Gomesa crispa – 365 days of orchids – day 1932
Another charming orchid species to go alongsode yesterday’s Pleurothallis amporoana is Gomesa crispa. A species we found growing abundantly as a pioneer epiphyte in Brazilian re-growth forest.
I first came across this species in the forests around Macae de Cima in our school expeditions in 2000 and 2005. Gomesa crispa is a pioneer species, meaning that it is one of the first epiphytes to establish in regrowth forest. As soon as humidity is high enough for moss to grow at the base of the trunks of young trees, the plant will establish in this moss as a very low level epiphyte just 10cm off the ground. It also grows in more mature forest and in elfin forest on mountain ridges.
The flowers are a yellow/green colour but very attractively crisped (hence the name) and a healthy plant produces a very long spikes and usually two spikes from each bulb (see photo)
We have grown this species successfully in both Cool Americas and Warm Americas but we find it does best grown in Cool Americas which is similar to its natural habitat and enjoys growing in a small basket where it is a little dryer than some of the surrounding plants. The very extensive root system also reflects an ability to cope with dryer conditions.
The photo here from our 2005 trip to Brazil shows the natural habitat for the species in relatively open regrowth forest with young trees.
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Hi Simon
Great plant and wonderful flower spikes, any news to my last comment to you regarding whether you have seedlings of this plant available, thanks Chris
Hi Chris.
Thank you for your comments. We are busy growing Cymbidium tigrinums. They are still in flask and are not quite ready yet. We also have some Dendrobium Victoria~ reginae seedlings which will be deflasked in about a years time.
Thank you again for your comments
Agnes
Hi Agnes thanks for your response, and look forward to seeing the plants in due course, have asked Simon to chase my parcel with the four Coelogyne’s, should of arrived Wednesday/Thursday, and still not arrived. Thanks Chris
Hi Agnes the parcel with the plants has finally arrived. Thanks Chris
Hi Chris
I wrapped your four Coelogynes myself and they were posted yesterday. They should be arriving with you very soon.
Thanks
Agnes
Hi Agnes as you can see from my last email, the four orchids have arrived.
Have you any idea which new cymbidium seedlings and Coelogyne’s will be available including Cymbidium Tigrinum. Thanks again the plants are just amazing well done. Best wishes Chris