Phragmipediums in Situ

[gonewild]

Amazonas Peru at 1680 meters elevation.
If you have ever wondered how your Phrags compare to wild ones growing in Nature then here you go.....

 

[gonewild]

 

[gonewild]

 

[gonewild]

 

[AdamD]

How amazing is that? Wow. Love that last pic. Thank you so much for sharing.

 

[SlipperFan]

Interesting. It's like they are hiding...

Thanks, Lance.

 

[NYEric]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Dido]

great to see this pics

 

[Susie11]

They look great.

 

[SlipperKing]

So what is the substrate Lance? Rock ruble collected in among boulders?

 

[gonewild]

So what is the substrate Lance? Rock ruble collected in among boulders?

Pretty much that is what it is. there is a fair layer of dirt(I won't give it credit for being top soil) that the grasses and Phrag roots share. Very poor growing media but that seems to be what they grow in. Rock, clay with organic mulch but the roots are in the dirt below the mulch. You can't tell well from the photos but the hillside is very steep, almost vertical so there is extreme drainage.

If we tried to mimic the soil and use it in a pot the roots would rot for sure. But with the vertical drainage and all the grass to suck up soil moisture the plants can get a huge amount of water and still have only moist soil.

 

[eggshells]

Beautiful photos.

 

[Chuck]

Wonderful. Brings back fond memories of my trip to Ecuador.

Chuck

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

Fantastic. Can someone help with the IDs on these?

 

[Hera]

Really nice shots. Thanks for taking the time to post them.

 

[SlipperFan]

Fantastic. Can someone help with the IDs on these?

Not sure about the brown pouch Phrag, but I think the others are boisserianum.

 

[Rick]

Are there any seeps and springs nearby?

 

[gonewild]

Are there any seeps and springs nearby?

Lots of seeps and springs but these phrags don't seem to be in the wet spots but rather on the drier places. BUT drier is only relevant since it rains so much the ground is pretty saturated everywhere. During the dry season the ground does dry out and then the plants need the night dew.

 

[eaborne]

Super pictures and it puts a lot into perspective.

 

[danielmusza]

Is very interestant!!
I never saw in situ before