cochleanthes-discolor

There are several uncertainties connected with the genus Cochleanthes that numbers fifteen species . For a long time,botanists were unable to agree on the exact classification of the plants. The pseudobulbs of C.discolor are fairly large and bear long leaves reaching lengths of upto 10 in/25 cm that are arranged to look like a fan. Single flowersgrow on shortish spikes at the base of the pseudobulb;they are up to 3.2 in/8cm in size and bear a slight resemblance in shapes to orchids of the genus Lycaste. They are whitish to greenish ,with a tinge of violet;the robust ,tubular lip is deep purple on the inside and yellowish on the bottom.C.discolor is an epiphyte that requires semi -shade and a higher degree of air humidity. If you plant it in a modearately coarse epiphytic mix in a flowerpot ,and allow for a brief period of rest,you may reap a greater amount of flowers that appear between May and June. The species was discovered in Cuba,Panama,CostaRica and Honduras.