Phragmipedium longifolium, in situ

[D-novice]

This is in Southwest Columbia, Valle del Cauca dept, Pacific Lowlands, in a place called Pericos. It is in the Choco Bioregion, which I was told is the rainiest area in the world.


Phragmipedium longifolium, in situ


closer-up
This isn't out of focus - this is how misty this place was


Phrag longifolium
Big clump to left of waterfall, 5-6 blooms


P longfolium
This clump was growing on rocks just past the pool below waterfall. It had one older fading bloom. But this was the place to get close to the flower.


P longfolium
waterfall is on right

These plants are growing in 100% humidity, 100% of the time. Last year Colombia had a terrible drought and so these plants probably survived somewhat drier conditions than normal (smaller waterfall, less spray.) But, short of trying to grow these underwater, it seems as if our longifolium and longifolium hybrids can take as much water as we can provide.

Curiously, though, I saw some blooming plants cultivated under much drier conditions. And my guide said longifolium is the only Phrag he's flowered, and he neglects his plant so it is usually dry! Maybe that's why it's used in so many hybrids, it can take a licking and keep on ticking.

 

[D-novice]

More pics


path to Pericos


Phrag longifolium, in situ
Big clump on edge of cliff to left is the Phrag


Play Misty For Me
Again - it was 100% humidity there. This is not out of focus. You can vaguely make out the flowers through the mist and amongst the foliage, in the lower left.
Top right is an in-bloom bromeliad, of which I saw hundreds in my brief trip, on top of the hundreds of orchid species, dozens of bird species, tons of mosses ferns plants etc etc.

I will be posting two more series of pics of the two other Phrag species we saw in bloom. I made the trip through Ecotone Tours, my guide was Sebastian. PM me if you have questions.

 

[eteson]

great to see!

 

[D-novice]

Colombia

great to see!

My trip was based out of Cali, we also went to Popayan and Purace.

 

[Phrag-Plus]

Wow! Thank for sharing those gorgeous pictures!

 

[eteson]

My trip was based out of Cali, we also went to Popayan and Purace.

Next time you can also visit our collection in Bogotá.

 

[mrhappyrotter]

Very cool, thanks for sharing. I know my longifolium pretty much always sits in a small amount of water, but doesn't get 100% humidity, yet does perfectly fine. Once it got large enough to bloom, it's been blooming nearly non-stop ever since.

Really fascinating to see the growing conditions for these. IIRC P. longifolium has the widest distribution of Phrags, so I imagine that's at least partly due to their adaptability to different growing conditions.

 

[Spaph]

So awesome to see, I can't wait for you other pics of the other species!:drool:

 

[My Green Pets]

Very interesting. Maybe mine is constantly rotting not because of moisture, but because of heat?

Sent from my SM-G730V using Tapatalk

 

[D-novice]

In addition to constant moisture, there was a constant breeze from the air movement around the waterfall. Because of both, it felt quite a bit cooler in that spot than just a few yards away back in the forest/jungle. So, at least in this locale they wouldn't ever get very hot.

 

[eteson]

they can grow at sea level in the pacific region (Very hot).
They usually rot if overfeed in cultivation.

 

[SlipperFan]

This is all interesting cultural information. Thank you, D-novice & Eliseo.

These longifoliums look to have pink petals instead of red. Or is the color an effect of the mist?

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

What a steamy looking place! Awesome to insitu photos, so thanks for that.

 

[Ozpaph]

very informative, thank-you.

 

[D-novice]

This population has that coloration, not characteristic of all longifolium.

Pericos is quite close to sea level, and it is plenty hot there. Just not by this waterfall. There was a small plant growing by a hut in the forest nearby that would have experienced much warmer temps, but it was tiny compared to the waterfall colony (and obviously planted there).

But to eteson's point, everything I've ever read says feed Phrags lightly.

 

[NYEric]

Thanks for sharing. Very informative.

 

[phrag guy]

That is great, thanks for letting us enjoy this wonder in nature

 

[SlipperFan]

This population has that coloration, not characteristic of all longifolium.

Pericos is quite close to sea level, and it is plenty hot there. Just not by this waterfall. There was a small plant growing by a hut in the forest nearby that would have experienced much warmer temps, but it was tiny compared to the waterfall colony (and obviously planted there).

But to eteson's point, everything I've ever read says feed Phrags lightly.

Thanks!

 

[JAB]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.... case in point! Thank you so much for these!!

 

[Dandrobium]

Wonderful post of in situ longifolium! Many thanks for the pics and habitat description!