Monkey Orchid Real name and availability

[kaarthiik]

Hi Guys,

Need your inputs in finding out the monkey orchid, I have seen the pictures of this orchid on net, and some information that it is from South America.
Does any one grows it? And can I get a plant/flask to India? As it is so Godly to us. I am much concerned.

Here is the links of the picture.
Monkey Orchid | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

The Monkey orchid

Farming & Agriculture: Monkey Orchid Flower

Any information in finding out this would be of great help

Thanks
Kaarthiik

[Mapp]

I'm new to all this, but it appears to be some sort of Dracula. Sorry I can't be more specific.

[kaarthiik]

Yes, Mapp

Thanks for your reply, just got to know that it is dracula simia.

Now finding out the seller who can ship internationally.

Any care information would be wonderful. In India, Hanuman (Monkey faced) God.. symbol or power and courage and braveness.

So, I am so much to buy and care for them.

[Bud]

Ecuagenera sells them for $10

You have to go to their site and make arrangements on buying online(it is advisable to buy in bulk than just a single plant)

They sell orchids internationally

Find out the customs rules and regulatiuons between India and Ecuador; but if they come to Europe for a show they might be able to mail it to india via England.

[Paul Mc]

Be careful with Dracula's though. Generally speaking, they want high humidity (80% or above) and cool to cold temperatures. There are a few that can take slightly warmer, but not many. Do your research to make sure you can provide for it's basic needs before ordering. I'd hate to see you waste money on something that would only die if you are unable to give it a proper or near proper environment.

Sorry, don't want to discourage you, but just to make you aware that they are temperamental and need a specific environment or they will not survive.

[kaarthiik]

Thanks for your suggestions. Bud and Paul.
I am learning abot them. I can get humidity required. Would dedicate cool mist humidfiers for it solely.
But the temperatures in Summer is problematic. Winters are suitable 5 to 25 C. Summers r upto 45 C. With cooler temp can be reduced to 5 degree.
Keeping in summer with AC at night helps? But day temps r worry.

Any idea to reduce temps would be a great help to me.

Thanks again.

Kaarthiik

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The Dracula species in the photos is Dracula gigas, not Dracula simia.

Dracula gigas

IOSPE PHOTOS

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

This is Dracula simia:

IOSPE PHOTOS

http://haerdekel.hu/wp-content/uploa...ey-orchid-.jpg

[Bud]

both of them look like 'Hanuman" of the Mahabharata epic....

Ecuagenera sells the Dracula gigas for $12
Dracula simia for $10

these flowers from Ecuagenera also look like Hanuman:


Dracula carlueri $15
Dracula inaequalis $12
Dracula psittacina $30
Dracula radiosa $12
Dracula wallisii $12

If you hang the plant near a flowing pond even if it is a small electric kind or above a fish aquarium you will deal with humidity and temperature right then and there just dont let it feel temperatures over 45C in the daytime....45C and below the plant can take for a few weeks....humidifiers and oscillating fan can be a great help.
you can water it or spray it from the water cooler

India can be very hot in summer....I was in Delhi three summers ago

good luck and good growing !

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I don't know how close you think the flowers of this particular species looks to Hanuman, but Dracula lotax is known to be more warmth tolerant than most Dracula species.