Coryanthes elegantium 'Naranja'

Introducing the Coryanthes elegantium 'Naranja' - The Elegant Coryanthes

Flower Size: 3" (7.5 cm)

Native Habitat: Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil, specifically along the Rio Negro in wet montane forests at elevations ranging from 200 to 700 meters. This orchid is a medium-sized, hot to warm-growing, and ant-supporting epiphyte. It features elongated, ovate, grooved pseudobulbs with two apical, plicate, elliptic-lanceolate, thin, acuminate, shortly petiolate base leaves. The blooms can appear at any time of the year, featuring a pendant, basal, 10" (25 cm) long inflorescence carrying 1 to 3 short-lived but very fragrant flowers.

Natural Range: This remarkable orchid is unique, as it's the only Coryanthes species found west of the Andes in Ecuador. Its native range spans from Western South America to Northern Brazil. As a pseudobulbous epiphyte, it thrives primarily in the wet tropical biome.

Cultivation Tips:

1. Greenhouse Excellence: The Coryanthes elegantium 'Naranja,' also known as The Elegant Coryanthes, is a rare collector's orchid that thrives exceptionally well in a greenhouse environment. Its specialized needs are best met in a controlled setting.

2. High Humidity: Medium to high humidity is essential for this orchid to flourish and produce its striking blooms. Ensure a humid atmosphere within your greenhouse or growing space.

3. Not for Low Humidity Households: It's important to note that this orchid isn't recommended for households with low humidity. Creating the right humidity levels is crucial for its well-being.

4. Basket or Pot with Adequate Drainage: To accommodate its unique flowering habits, consider growing The Elegant Coryanthes in a basket or pot with large drainage holes. This allows the bucket-like blooms to emerge gracefully from the bottom of the plant.

5. Blooming Period: The stunning blooms of The Elegant Coryanthes typically last 2-3 days. Be prepared to enjoy their beauty for a short but memorable time.

A Fascinating Natural Partnership:

Coryanthes orchids, often referred to as bucket orchids, engage in a captivating dance of coevolution and mutualism with orchid bees (Euglossini tribe of the family Apidae). This remarkable relationship is essential for the reproduction of both species.

The orchid's flower secretes a fluid into a bucket-shaped lip, emitting a strong scent that attracts male orchid bees. These bees collect aromatic oils from the flower, storing them in specialized pouches on their hind legs. The scent plays a crucial role in their courtship rituals to attract females.

However, the bee's quest for these oils can lead to an unexpected journey. As they try to escape the bucket-shaped lip, they find themselves trapped momentarily. The orchid then ensures that the bee comes into contact with its pollen packets, strategically positioned on the bee's thorax.

The bee is only released once the orchid's pollen has securely attached to the bee. Eventually, the bee is free to fly off and, hopefully, visit another Coryanthes flower of the same species. In doing so, it falls into the same captivating trap, transferring pollen and aiding in the orchid's reproduction.

This is a blooming size orchid in a 4” pot, about 1 to 2 years to bloom, grown from seed, Limited!

The Elegant Coryanthes is a stunning example of nature's intricate dance of survival and reproduction. Its magnificent blooms, among the largest in the Orchid Family, are a testament to the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

If you're a dedicated orchid enthusiast or simply appreciate the wonders of the natural world, The Elegant Coryanthes is a must-have addition to your collection, offering a glimpse into the fascinating interplay of species in the tropical rainforests of South America.