Sophronitis coccinea - Orchid Board

Rosim_in_BR · #1 09-17-2007, 04:41 PM

This dwarf species is well known for the scarlet flowers and the intensive use in hybridization to produce large red, cattleya-like flowers. I live less then 15 miles away from the western border of this orchid habitat and loved to go see it in flower by this time of the year. It used to be a spectacle, an impressive view of thousands and thousands of these orchids. It was like the trees were adorned with small red, shinning lights in the sun. I doubt there was a single tree without at least one of these. That was by the beginning of the 80’s. The dark side? There is a highway cutting this habitat… the rest can easily be figured out! I got back there many times and since the 90’s no single plant is found where it was once so plentiful. Progress and conservation seldom go together without education!
This particular clone came from artificial sowing, I mean, in nature it would be a huge stroke of luck finding a flower so round, so full.

shakkai · #2 09-17-2007, 04:52 PM

That is stunning! Great colour & yes, beautiful form. Fingers crossed, mine will flower sometime soon.

Rosim_in_BR · #3 09-17-2007, 04:55 PM

Good luck with yours, Shakkai!

Tindomul · #4 09-17-2007, 05:37 PM

Wow, very beautiful. COngratulations on this one. Its too bad about the population of S. coccinea that is now lost. What happened? Did the road destroy humidity in the area? Or other microclimate factor was disturbed? Or did the road just mean that people came in and chopped down the trees?

Rosim_in_BR · #5 09-17-2007, 05:45 PM

The trees are still there, Tindo. The people simply stripped them!

Tindomul · #6 09-17-2007, 05:46 PM

cathieo · #7 09-17-2007, 06:07 PM

One of many sickening stories about abuse of the planet.

I'm interested in growing this little gem. I've heard they're tricky. I grow in an orchidarium and have good success with Sophronitis cernua.