I got my first Monkey!

[The Orchid Boy]

Now I'm tempted to try one. Good job! How high of humidity do you have? I grow under T5 lights in a room with 60% to 75% humidity and lots of fans. I'm managing to grow two mounted dendrobiums so far.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I want to say another thing....

I know what the people cautioning JanS about growing Draculas are saying and where they're coming from. They're not really entirely wrong either! The issue was that they were most likely unsure of San Diego's climate and what kinds of orchids could be grown there.

I've been to that part of SoCal, so what I said in response to this thread was in reassurance to JanS that she could grow Draculas there. San Diego is a beach city in San Diego County. It stays relatively cool there even during the summer compared to the inland cities of SoCal. She can grow certain species of Draculas far easier than I could.

Plus, Encinitas is one of San Diego's neighbouring cities. Encinitas is also where Andy's Orchids is. He has lots of Draculas available for sale.

[JanS]

Hi All - few answers:

RE: Andy's Orchids near me - yep, I found via the net they sell Draculas and also for @ $30 like J&L Orchids. Don't know if theirs are bigger for the price...but my friend beat me to it with his gift!

RE: Humidity in my GH: during cooler months runs in the 70% to 90+% range. These days in the 65-85% range, the lower end being because I leave the door open for better ventilation during the day when the sun hits it (I do have shade cloth over almost all of it) otherwise inside temps could hit 90+. With the door open I can keep the temps to under 85. Last night's low was 61.

RE: Some of you having Draculas that have never flowered (yet): I just read on another site that Draculas like to send their flower spikes downward so you should plant them in baskets - not pots. So far all my plants' buds (that I know of) went out up or sideways from the pot - but who knows, maybe we all have "Monkeys" trying to tunnel through the pot sides with no luck...

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by JanS

RE: Some of you having Draculas that have never flowered (yet): I just read on another site that Draculas like to send their flower spikes downward so you should plant them in baskets - not pots. So far all my plants' buds (that I know of) went out up or sideways from the pot - but who knows, maybe we all have "Monkeys" trying to tunnel through the pot sides with no luck...

Some "monkeys" like to grow upright spikes so they can "see you".

I have one of those "monkeys" growing on my porch right now! Maybe you've heard of this special monkey?.

Its name is Dracula gigas.

There are other monkeys that grow upright spikes such as: Dracula levii, Dracula lotax, and Dracula sodiroi.

As for Andy's Draculas - you're local; go set up an appointment and pay him a visit to check out his beautiful monkey garden.

People having trouble with blooming Draculas should check for root damage, insufficient lighting, or humidity issues if their temperatures are in the correct range.

[pleuro3]

What kind of lighting do they enjoy? I have A lotax and cordoba in my cool to intermediate growing chamber with mostly other pleurothalids. himidity ranges from 65-90% and they are under 4 x 40 watt T8 florescents. I have had some new growth but they do not seem to be doing much. Also does anyone know if the cordoba sends out an upright or pendant spike. It may need a new pot. The lotax is mounted.
JanS, Parkside Orchids is just over the jersey line in PA south of Bethlehem and they have have a few different draculas along with many masdies and whatever else you can imagine. definitely worth the trip over there if you get a chance.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Draculas can handle bright shade to the low end of moderate indirect lighting. Pleuro3, I think your lighting may be sufficient, but just to be sure, check the color of your orchid's leaves - they should be a shade of light green. If they're dark green, they need a bit more light.

I think your Draculas might still be on the smaller side, they may bloom when they get a bit bigger, idk. Many Draculas also seem to have a more definite blooming season than most people think.

Dracula cordoba has pendulous spikes.

[pleuro3]

Cool, thank you King of Orchid Growing. The leaves look are the right color. I should have know to check that . I guess I'll mount the cordoba. Thanks for the feedback

[charitysmama]

HI, Jan, I purchased some monkey orchid seeds on eBay for $.99 with free shipping. The seller says they are Orchis simian. It took forever for them to sprout, and the plants are about 6 inches tall and have been that way for a long time. I read in one place that it takes 7 years from germination for the plant to flower. I am a senior citizen, not sure I have that kind of time, hehe. I am in western Oregon so don't know if I have the right climate, but I enjoy experimenting with plants. Hope this helps. Linda

[pipsxlch]

Charitysmama, I'm very sorry to tell you it is 99.999999999% certain you have been scammed. Orchid seed of any species just isn't something you can grow without a lab or JUST the right conditions and symbiotic fungus; not something the average home gardener can manage in other words. Also, were the seeds something you could handle, or did it look like they sent you a baggie of face powder? Orchid seed lacks a germ and is almost microscopic. There's been a lot written about the Chinese scammers of 'orchid seeds' on eBay, but unfortunately eBay won't do anything about them- by the time people find out they've been scammed, it's past the reporting period. And as a not-so-easy-to-cultivate and rare European species, how likely are there to be Chinese seed vendors?

It doesn't necessarily take 7 years from seed to flower, but it does take several. From seed to 6" on the commonly grown species (I don't grow Orchis) would probably be 2+ years, often quite a bit more.

Can you post a picture of your plants? And might you have a picture of the seeds? Folks here who have grown or are familiar with the genus can then give you their opinions. But sadly, you probably have common four o'clocks or something (that's what at least one person who also fell for it ended up with).

[charitysmama]

Yeh, I knew all that when I bought them, but I am a sucker, and after watching the ads on eBay for several months, I bit, something like curiosity killed the cat or whatever. Right now they look like 6" blades of grass, will wait to see what I actually get, who knows, maybe these seeds are GMO Monkey Orchids on steroids. They are large, about like a radish seed. Will be interesting to see what comes. I only paid $.99, big spender that I am. I'm the person that buys orchids on the marked down table because I feel that I can rescue them.

---------- Post added at 06:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:30 PM ----------

PS, wish I had a friend like Jan's who would buy me orchids like that, lucky girl, go for it.