Sophronitis mantiqueirae.

[JaneEyre]

So cute!

[Jorge V.]

Thanks!!

Kostas, here is very hot in summer, often more than 40ºC, I have a misting system and the temperatures are about 32-33ºC.

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[Kostas]

Thank you very much for the information Jorge!

How big were the biggest flowers it has produced for you? In how much sun/shade do you keep it and its so well grown? Are you growing any other Sophronitis species like S. brevipenduculata or S. wittigiana?

[Jorge V.]

Kostas, the biggest one is this on the picture (5cmX4,5cm). I grow it in very good ligth but not sun (here is very strong). I grow also Sophronitis (cattleya) cernua and I hve just bought Sophronitis coccinea but it is very bad plant :-(

[bballr4567]

Beautiful! Love the color!

[Kostas]

Thank you very much for your reply Jorge! Do you find it grows bigger flowers with each year or are they about the same size. Did it ever produce flowers on the smaller scale for this species(2,5cm)?

Why is S. coccinea a bad plant? Is it overly sensitive to your summer heat or something else?

[Jorge V.]

Kostas, this year the flower is bigger than last year and also last year was bigger than 2,5cm.
And the coccinea that I bougth is a bad quality plant, too small, no roots...

[Kostas]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with this beautiful species! I very much appreciate your first hand info! I hope the S. coccinea establishes and grows well for you!!!

[Jorge V.]

You are welcome! and tell us...do you grow any Sophronitis?

[Kostas]

Unfortunately i am not growing any Sophronitis at the moment but i am trying to decide which species of this beautiful genus would be the best choice for mounting in my Pyrgos garden in medium shade. There are many beautiful species,namely yours,S. mantiqueirae,S. wittigiana and S. brevipendunculata and its a tough choice. I had heard from a Greek grower that S. mantiqueirae has difficulties with our hot summer weather but if it does ok for you,so it will for me in the correct location! Also,all the S. mantiqueirae flowers i have seen photos of in a greek forum are around 2,5cm(all from young plants but i dont know if thats genetic or the flower size increases considerably with age?) which,however nicely colored and if they are,makes them non-spectacular while your 5cm flowers are definitely attention drawing from far away!

I will open a thread with some questions on the other species i mentioned to be able to make an educated choice