Leptotes bicolor

A very small orchid genus consisting of only nine species from Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Leptotes bicolor is a lovely epiphyte that grows at elevations between 500 and 900 meters. The species recorded by John Lindley in 1833, but five of the nine Leptotes species were registered as late as the last few decade. My plant is from German grower Karge and is a faithful bloomer every spring. The flowers measuring about 5 cm wide and each inflorescence gives three or more flowers in a row. The pure white is a stark contrast to the stunning purple lip. I grow it mounted on cork in the warm/intermed viv, high humidity, medium light and it is allowed to dry out fairly well between waterings. More Photos on the blog.

 

Thanks a lot!! I really love this genus too, and I would not mind growing more of them. I have the unicolor too, but that one I am struggling with.... I grow it the same as the bicolor, but all I get is blasted buds.... Kelly, my spikes do not seem to develop exceptionally slow, pretty normal to me. Thanks Dale, I have read that too. Maybe I need to pollinate it and check.

 

Thanks a lot! Yes Marni, I keep mine on the dry side too, seems to work.