The Dracula orchid is one of the most unusual plants belonging to the orchid family. It is also called “monkey face” because of the bizarre shape of the flower. Sometimes, looking at this flower, it’s hard to believe your eyes: is it just an illusion or does the flower really strangely resemble a monkey’s face? However, see for yourself.
Some subspecies of the Dracula flower are grown as beautiful flowering indoor or greenhouse plants. Many orchid lovers dream of growing such a flower at home, but not everyone succeeds. Read the article about the features of caring for this miracle plant.
Dracula: what kind of flower is this?
The Dracula orchid belongs to the genus of epiphytic plants of the Orchidaceae family.
Distribution area: Central and South America.
Generic diversity – more than 120 species. About 20 subspecies of orchids are classified as rare plants. Many of them are listed in the Red Book.
It grows in the wild, in humid climates, creeping along the ground or lower parts of tree trunks, and does not rise high above ground level (maximum 2.5-3 meters).
The nuances of growing the Dracula orchid at home
In order for an orchid with a monkey face to grow in an apartment or private house, without causing trouble to the gardener, the plant should have an appropriate microclimate: maintain the required level of temperature, illumination and humidity in the room. This is a rather labor-intensive process, which is why the exotic flower is rarely cultivated by amateurs.
Temperature
Orchid does not tolerate heat well. In summer, the temperature in the holding room should not exceed 25 °C, otherwise the flower will begin to wither. In winter, the critical minimum is 12 °C. To stimulate flowering, the plant should be provided with daily differences, when the difference between day and night temperatures is 4 °C.
Illumination
In the wild, monkey-face orchids grow in the lower layers of the jungle and do not respond well to direct sunlight. In order for the flower to feel comfortable at home, it should be placed on the windowsills of western and eastern windows. If they are absent, it is permissible to install the pot near the southern windows, but you need to take care of the curtains in advance. At midday they should be closed.
Humidity
An important indicator, which is not easy to achieve in artificial conditions. In the jungle, the orchid grows in conditions of systematic rain and fog, characteristic of a tropical climate. However, the air moves all the time, which is difficult to replicate at home. It is necessary to carry out daily spraying from a fine spray bottle or install a stationary humidifier, and at the same time a fan should be running to improve aeration.
Please note! If it is not possible to install a humidifier, you can make do with handy means: place a container of water next to the orchid.
Home care for the Dracula orchid
Compliance with agricultural cultivation techniques is the basis for the successful cultivation of any crop. If it is a tropical plant, all requirements must be strictly adhered to, otherwise it will die. It is necessary to organize a system of watering, fertilizing and replant it in a timely manner.
How to water
Moistening is carried out only after the substrate has dried. But they do it right away, because the roots are very sensitive. It is best to immerse the pot in a container of water and wait about 20-30 minutes for the plant to drink
An important rule: the cooler the room, the less often watering is needed.
Substrate
Since the flower has an epiphytic form of development, the roots need access to air. It can be grown either in a basket, on a log, or in a substrate based on bark. In addition, you should add moss, which retains moisture, and wood ash, which prevents the rapid decomposition of the main component of the soil mixture. Acidity – neutral.
Top dressing
To grow a flower in artificial conditions, you should provide it with additional nutrition in the form of special fertilizers for orchids. Prepare a working solution with a concentration 2 times less than indicated on the package. The plant is fed only during the active growing season, gradually reducing the frequency.
Transfer
The flower is replanted in the spring when it grows strongly. Select a slightly larger container and fill it with an appropriate substrate of bark and moss. Before filling the roots of the flower, placed in a container on the drainage layer, they must be straightened. The soil mixture should not be compacted so as not to impair aeration
Looseness is an important requirement for successful crop cultivation
Please note! The flower does not have a distinct dormant period; it can bloom at any time of the year. The stagnation stage is organized only when it is not possible to provide the required level of lighting.
Protection from diseases and pests
The plant has good immunity. Most often it is affected by fungal diseases due to improper care - excess moisture. If signs of disease appear in the form of soft stems and yellowing of leaves, the crop should be sprayed with a fungicide solution and replanted in a fresh substrate. Among the pests, if the air is too dry, orchid shoots can be attacked by aphids, spider mites, and thrips. An effective method of protection is treatment with a working insecticide solution according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Botanical description of flowers of the genus Epiphytic
Representatives of the family are low plants with long arrow-shaped leaves of rich green shades. The stems are short, the rhizome is shortened. Most members of this family lack pseudobulbs. Sometimes the leaves take on a spongy structure, partially fulfilling the functions of the missing above-ground tubers, which are responsible for the survival of the plant in extreme conditions.
The most interesting part of the plant is the flower. In different species they differ in shape, color, size, but in general they consist of three sepals, connected at the formation so that they form a cup with the tips of the elongated petals extended outward. These outgrowths are often densely covered with hairs.
Peduncles are single-flowered (in most species), slightly drooping or straight, in some representatives they are directed downward, penetrating through aerial roots. The seeds of the monkey orchid are small, numerous, and spindle-shaped.
Visually, the flowers resemble the face of a monkey or the mouth of a vampire, which is where they got their name - the Dracula orchid.
An epiphytic orchid can bloom at any time of the year, but it all depends on proper care and compliance with the temperature regime.
In nature, orchids are pollinated not only by small insects, but also by certain species of bats and small rodents (shrews), which, you see, is unusual.
In a poorly ventilated room with a stable daytime temperature of +25°C and above, plants shed buds that have not yet opened and do not bloom. This phenomenon occurs frequently. Therefore, we can judge that the Dracula orchid is a rather finicky and demanding plant.
As for their characteristics, such plants react critically to direct sunlight, summer heat, and drying out roots. This must be taken into account when trying to grow an orchid at home.
Knowledge and application of some agrotechnical tips in culture contribute to the flowering of orchids almost all year round. This also applies to multi-flowered plant subspecies.
Common diseases, their treatment and prevention
- Scientists count “only” 32 species of orchid pests ;
- And more than 90 fungi, bacteria and viruses ;
- They can cause various diseases of the leaves, roots and flowers of your plants. These are: Leaf spot;
- Various rots (black, gray, brown, fusarium);
- Anthracnose and others.
Spider mites, thrips, aphids
Here's who you'll have to deal with to protect your favorite flowers:
- Thrips are a very serious pest. You won’t see them right away: Signs – silver color and excrement dots;
- Means of struggle. Acaricides (Aktellik, Omite, Fitoverm, Actofit).
Thrips.
- Signs of appearance are small white dots on the bottom of the leaves;
Remember! Periodic spraying with garlic infusion is recommended as a good preventive measure against many orchid pests.
Fungal infections
- When the first signs of disease are detected (brown spots, drying out, rot), the plant must be isolated from other flowers;
- Remove all affected parts of the plant;
- Use fungicides Fundazol, Topsin-M for prevention. Copper oxychloride;
- Optimize the conditions of detention to the recommended ones;
- High humidity and temperature promote their occurrence and development.
If a fungus is detected, the orchid is immediately isolated.
Bacterial rot (or brown rot)
- Watery brownish spots;
- Spreads (increases) quickly at low temperatures;
- Small ones can be cut out. Treat with crushed charcoal;
- Use preparations containing copper (copper oxychloride, copper sulfate) for prevention;
- If it is not detected in a timely manner, you will have to part with the plant so that others do not become infected.
Temperature
Creating an optimal temperature regime is the first thing you should pay attention to when “planting” a Dracula orchid in your home. This flower does not like heat, therefore it belongs to plants that love cold growing temperatures. For comfortable orchid growth, it is necessary to maintain the temperature in summer no higher than +25°C, in winter – no lower than +13°C.
Experts in the field of growing orchids note an important condition for the formation of flower buds - fluctuations in day and night temperatures. It is necessary to ensure that the difference between the daytime and nighttime regime of keeping flowers is no more than 4°C.
History of origin
The genus Dracula was first described in 1870 by German botanist Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach, based on a plant found by orchid collector Benedict Roel in the Western Cordillera.
The researcher was amazed by the shape of the flower and called it a “chimera.” This flower amazed the researcher with its unusual shape, for which it received the name “chimera”.
Initially, representatives of the genus Dracula were classified with another orchid - Masdevallia, but in 1878, in the light of other finds, the genus was separated. At the end of the 19th century, Dracula was a popular and valuable greenhouse plant in Europe .
Light
The Dracula orchid (photos of the plant are presented in the article) grows naturally in the lower tiers of tropical forests. But do not forget that in tropical latitudes the brightness of the sun is much higher than in average latitudes. Therefore, it would be optimal to provide bright but diffuse lighting, but not scorching sun.
The ideal place to keep such plants is south-eastern window sills. Windows facing south are not suitable: there is a danger of the orchid overheating.
Contents: step-by-step instructions
For high-quality survival of the plant, the conditions must be close to its natural habitat.
Choosing a location . The ideal side for placement is east or southeast (with diffused light), the north side is also suitable, but in winter the orchid will need additional lighting.
- Preparing the soil and pot . Planting is done in transparent plastic pots or special wooden baskets. Sphagnum moss is laid at the bottom, on top of which a substrate is laid (a mixture of chopped fern roots, pine bark, charcoal) and the topmost layer also consists of moisture-retaining moss.
- Temperature . The summer temperature should be no more than +24 degrees, in winter it should be between +12-16.
- Humidity .
Air humidity should be very high - 80-85% and in order to avoid the growth of fungi and bacteria, the room must be regularly ventilated. Important : To increase humidity, you can use air humidifiers or place a tray with wet expanded clay next to the plant, which, when heated, will evaporate water and locally increase humidity. - Lighting . The Dracula orchid grows best in diffused light or partial shade, which corresponds to the lower layer of the tropical forest that they are accustomed to, where direct sunlight does not penetrate. If there is insufficient lighting, the orchid will not bloom; if there is too much light, burns will appear on the leaves, and the plant will begin to dry out.
- Watering . Orchids need regular and sufficient watering. It is recommended to use soft water, preferably melted or filtered. The frequency and abundance of watering is directly related to the temperature and amount of light. The plant must absorb and evaporate moisture evenly. At the same time, the water should not stagnate so that the roots do not rot, but too dry soil can lead to the death of the root system.
- Feeding . Dracula is fertilized during the period of new growth during every third watering. It is best to use fertilizers specifically labeled “for orchids,” since the plant is extremely sensitive to the salts usually contained in fertilizers.
- Transplant . Frequent replanting is not required for the Dracula orchid. It is worth replanting if the soil has become salty or compacted or the roots have grown too much. The best time to replant is during the period of active green growth before flowering.
- Reproduction : Usually this type of orchid is propagated vegetatively - by dividing the mother bush into parts. The plant is removed from the pot, the roots are cleaned. The cut is made with a sharp knife, the cut areas are sprinkled with charcoal and the roots are allowed to dry. Then the bushes are planted in separate containers.
Maintaining Humidity
In the latitudes where the orchid grows in nature, there are short-term rains almost every day, and in the morning there is fog that settles with dew on the leaves. Dracula is used to moisture. Therefore, it is important to make every effort to bring the cultivated plant as close as possible to the microclimate in which it was created.
Try to prepare the room as much as possible for growing your monkey orchid. In addition to maintaining humidity, ventilate the room with the winter garden regularly, since a damp, stuffy room is an ideal environment for the mass reproduction of fungal diseases and bacterial infections that affect plants.
What soil to choose
The Dracula orchid is grown at home in a pot or basket, and the plant is planted in a substrate. Sometimes they practice a growing system without a substrate - on blocks.
Finely chopped coniferous tree bark along with sphagnum moss, charcoal and fern root are suitable as a growing mixture. Acidity level from 5.5 to 6.5 pH.
Reviews
Svetlana:
I raise a monkey in moss. I water it with distillate and once a month with a weak fertilizer solution. The most amazing and beautiful flower, but capricious. I placed it on the windowsill on the north side.
Olga:
I keep it on the eastern balcony, with the windows wide open. When it's hot, I spray the floor. If someone keeps Dracula in the room, be sure to turn on the air conditioning. A windowsill where tree crowns create partial shade is suitable.
Monkey Face is a very fancy and demanding orchid. Those who raised her at home can be proud. Unique and gentle Dracula is a dream for amateurs and professionals.
Features of reproduction
In its cultivated form, the orchid undergoes vegetative propagation by dividing a large bush into parts. When forming new plants, it is recommended to leave 4-5 sprouts for them.
As you can see, the orchid, called the “monkey” or Dracula, is demanding in care and bizarre in appearance. This flower will be appreciated not only by amateur gardeners, but also by true connoisseurs of amazing plants. Experts consider growing this type of orchid to be of the highest difficulty, so those who managed to acquire such beauty at home can be proud of their gardening skills.
Bloom
When and how?
With proper care, Dracula can bloom several times at any time of the year. Flowers do not need a period of rest and special conditions during the flowering period. Under natural conditions, the plant blooms from June to August.
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Features of care
Dracula does not need special care before and during flowering. When the peduncle begins to fade, it is removed. If necessary, the plant is replanted. To adapt the orchid, it is placed in dry soil.
Dracula belongs to the revolving flowering type. It is necessary to remove faded buds in time so that new flowers form on the peduncle.
Flowering can be activated by artificial temperature changes. At night, keep the temperature five to six degrees lower than during the day. From May to September, the orchid can be kept on the balcony. Thus, the plant will be provided with a natural decrease in temperature at night. In winter, it is recommended to use artificial light.
