Dracula orchid is one of the most unusual plants belonging to the orchid family. It is also called the “monkey muzzle” because of the bizarre shape of the flower. Sometimes, looking at this flower, it’s hard to believe your eyes: does it seem or does the flower really in a strange way resemble a monkey face? However, see for yourself.
Some subspecies of the flower of the genus Dracula are grown as a flowering indoor or greenhouse plant. Many orchid lovers dream of growing such a flower at home, but not everyone succeeds. Read about the features of caring for a miracle plant in the article.
Dracula: what is this flower?
Orchid Dracula belongs to the genus of epiphytic plants of the Orchidaceae family.
Distribution area - Central and South America.
Generic diversity - more than 120 species. About 20 subspecies of orchids are listed in the ranks of rare plants. Many of them are listed in the Red Book.
It grows in the wild, in humid climates, creeping along the ground or the lower parts of tree trunks, does not rise high above ground level (maximum 2.5-3 meters).
Epiphytic botanical description of flowers
Representatives of the family are low plants with long arrow-shaped leaves of saturated green shades. The stems are short, shortened rhizome. Most representatives of this family have a lack of pseudobulbs. Sometimes the leaves take on a spongy structure, partially fulfilling the functions of the missing above-ground tubers, which are responsible for the survival of the plant in extreme conditions.
The most interesting part of the plant is the flower. In different species, they differ in shape, color, size, but on the whole they consist of three sepals, connected at the formation so that they form a cup with the tips of elongated petals elongated outward. These outgrowths are often densely covered with hairs.
Peduncles are single-flowered (in most species), weakly drooping or straight, in some representatives they are directed downward, penetrating through aerial roots. The seeds of the monkey orchid are small, numerous, spindle-shaped.
Visually, the flowers resemble the face of a monkey or the mouth of a vampire, from where they got their name - Dracula's orchid.
Epiphytic orchid blooming can occur at any time of the year, but it all depends on proper care and compliance with the temperature regime.
In nature, orchids are pollinated not only by small insects, but also by separate species of bats and small rodents (shrews), which, you see, is unusual.
In a poorly ventilated room with a stable daytime temperature of +25 ° C and above, plants discard buds that have not yet opened and do not bloom. This phenomenon is often observed. Therefore, we can judge that Dracula's orchid is a rather picky and demanding plant.
As for the features, such plants react critically to direct sunlight, summer heat, drying of the roots. This must be taken into account when trying to grow an orchid at home.
Knowledge and application of some agrotechnical tips in the culture contribute to the flowering of orchids almost all year round. This also applies to multifloral subspecies of plants.
Recommendations for growing Dracula orchids at home
Amazingly beautiful plant - Dracula orchid. Caring for such a plant requires maintaining a special microclimate and constant monitoring of the plant, but the beauty of the blooming “monkey face” cannot go unnoticed, which means that your work is not in vain.
Temperature
Creating the optimal temperature regime is the first thing you should pay attention to, “settling” the Dracula orchid in your home. This flower does not like heat, therefore it belongs to plants - lovers of the cold temperature regime of cultivation. For a comfortable growth of an orchid, it is worth maintaining the temperature in summertime not higher than +25 ° C, in winter - not lower than +13 ° C.
Experts in the field of orchid cultivation note an important condition for the formation of flower buds - the fluctuation of day and night temperatures. It is necessary to ensure that the difference between day and night regime of flower content is not more than 4 ° C.
Shine
Orchid Dracula (photo plants are presented in the article) in nature grows in the lower tiers of rainforests. But do not forget that in tropical latitudes, the brightness of the sun is much higher than in average. Therefore, it will be optimal to provide bright, but diffuse lighting, but not the scorching sun.
An ideal place to contain such plants is the southeastern window sills. Windows facing south are not suitable: there is a danger of overheating of the orchid.
Maintain humidity
In the latitudes where the orchid grows in nature, short-term rains occur almost every day; in the morning, fog settles with dew on the leaves. Dracula is used to moisture. Therefore, it is important to make every effort to bring the cultivated plant as close as possible to the microclimate in which it is created.
Try to prepare the room for growing monkey orchids as much as possible. In addition to maintaining humidity, ventilate the room with a winter garden regularly, since a humid stuffy room is an ideal environment for the mass reproduction of fungal diseases and bacterial infections that affect plants.
Systematic watering
This item directly depends on the temperature in the room, because the warmer the air and the higher the illumination, the more often you need to water the plant. For irrigation, soft rain water is ideal, which will bring the orchid closer to the conditions of natural growth in nature.
What soil to choose
Dracula orchid at home is grown in a pot or basket, planted in a substrate. Sometimes they practice a growing system without a substrate - on blocks.
As a mixture for growing, finely chopped coniferous bark along with sphagnum moss, charcoal and fern root are suitable. The acidity level is from 5.5 to 6.5 pH.
How to transplant a plant?
Orchid "monkey" (Dracula) does not need frequent transplants. It is enough to properly care for the plant and follow the periods of development. An orchid is transplanted only in case of emergency. The best time for transplantation is considered to be the moment young orchids sprout their own roots.
Fertilizer application
Top dressing is carried out during the phase of active plant growth at every third watering, using organics for orchids at a dose half that indicated on the package.
Remember! An excess of fertilizers is much more dangerous for these plants than a lack of nutrients.
Rest period
In such a period, neither in winter nor in the period between blossoms does Dracula's orchid need. Planting and care with the right actions are the best you can give this plant.
Propagation Features
In an cultivated form, the orchid undergoes vegetative propagation by dividing a large bush into parts. Forming new plants, it is recommended to leave 4-5 sprouts for them.
As you can see, the orchid, called the "monkey" or Dracula, is demanding in care and bizarre in appearance. Such a flower will be appreciated not only by amateur gardeners, but also true connoisseurs of amazing plants. Experts attribute the cultivation of orchids of this species to a number of the highest complexity, so those who managed to acquire such beauty at home can be proud of their gardening skills.