Found Orchids in Costa Rica

[yves2013]

,

I recently moved down to Costa Rica from Canada, and have been wandering the forest in front of my home all morning. I found a fallen tree and I'm guessing that as it came down, some of the Orchids growing on it fell off. I picked up a few specimens and brought them home. I will be potting and mounting the miniature specimens soon.

None of them are currently in bloom, and I have no idea where to start for identifying them. I took a few snap shots of the foliage. Maybe some of you can point me into the the right direction, although, I'm quite sure it can't be 100% as they are not flowering. (I'm still quite new to this)

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by yves2013

,

I recently moved down to Costa Rica from Canada, and have been wandering the forest in front of my home all morning. I found a fallen tree and I'm guessing that as it came down, some of the Orchids growing on it fell off. I picked up a few specimens and brought them home. I will be potting and mounting the miniature specimens soon.

None of them are currently in bloom, and I have no idea where to start for identifying them. I took a few snap shots of the foliage. Maybe some of you can point me into the the right direction, although, I'm quite sure it can't be 100% as they are not flowering. (I'm still quite new to this)

Welcome to Orchid Board This is a great place to learn. Have you been growing orchids in Canada?
I've traveled to Costa Rica many times, and I'm envious that you have moved there. I hope to do so in the not too distant future myself.
There are at least one or two people on here from Costa Rica and hopefully they will respond. I'm not good enough at orchids to identify them without the flowers, but some look like they are in the laelia/cattleya group, and some appear to be reed stem epidendrums, though they are terrestrial rather than epiphytic.
There is a two volume book on Costa Rican orchids available. If you are in or near San Jose, there is a lot of information at Lankester Gardens and Inbio.
Pura Vida

[Connie Star]

There is a user named rodrigo who is from Costa Rica. Perhaps you can contact him if he doesn't respond to this thread.
Connie
PS my profile picture was taken in Monteverde.

[yves2013]

Hi Connie,

Thanks for the info.

I'm quite sure they demand the same conditions, as they all came from the same tree about 30 meters from my porch. So I'll just have them out on my porch and water them when it rains. Can't get much easier. lol. I just want to know their family group so I can know what to expect when they decide to bloom.

When I was living in Canada I did keep a few Orchids mounted on a nice piece of drift wood, but really nothing too special, common market specimens like Phals and a few Dendrobiums. I'm really excited about these though. Especially the Large one I have hanging over my window and the miniatures.

I'm going to San Jose this weekend, So I'll be looking out for those books.

[RobS]

Picture 2 + 3 Scaphyglottis spec
Picture 4 + 5 Epidendrum schlechterianum
Picture 6 Stelis or other Pleurothallis alliance
Picture 7-10 Scaphyglottis spec

My best guesses without flowers fairly confident to.

[yves2013]

thanks.

I'm going to go out again tomorrow and look for some more.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I can tell the Scaphyglottis from the rest right away.

What species you have I don't know. You gotta wait till they flower.

Scaphyglottis flowers are very small and come from between the leaves.

They're unique in that new shoots appear from between the leaves as well.

It's a Cattleya relative.

[RobS]

well not completly true

IOSPE PHOTOS

Although not a Scaphyglottis on this Orchidspecies.com. Wikipedia claims Hexisea and similar bot to be considered Scaphyglottis. Can't seem to able to confirm this status at the RHS. But Hexisea bidentata / Scaphyglottis bidentata is possible as well form the plant type.

[Tropicgirl]

Wow, how lucky are you?! It's just raining orchids over there!

Seriously, you are pretty lucky to live in such a beautiful place!

[yves2013]

Can't wait for them to flower, I found some new species. But I think I should stop before my whole apartment becomes a greenhouse. not that that's a bad thing...