I got my first Monkey!

[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.