Lapris Viridiflora - What alliance?

[Don Perusse]

Can anyone tell me what Genus a Laparis Viridiflora belongs to? Is there a web site I can go to, to find out about an orchid like this one. Someone gave me a 5 pseudobulb division but doesn't know anything about it.
I would like to find out any cultural needs it might have.

[ronaldhanko]

Liparis viridiflora is the correct spelling. It is from Southeast Asia and is related to a few other relatively unknown genera named Malaxis and Oberonia (after the king of the fairies; cf. Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare). The family in which these three genera are found is named after the genus Malaxis. I would assume that it is warm growing, but cannot give any specific info, never having owned it. Oberonia to which it is related is warm growing, likes good humidity and seems to do best mounted. Northen in her book on Miniature orchids says that there are both epiphytic and terrestrial species in Liparis and suggests that the terrestrial species be grown in a fine bark mix well drained. I would assume that this one, since it has pseudobulbs, would do best grown that way.

[Don Perusse]

Hi Ronald - Thanks for the info. It is very interesting. I am in the deep south with lots of humidity so should do well. In between my original post I found out from another member that has them, that he grows his in Spaghnum that is loosely packed in a basket. So that is what I did. I will just hope for the best. I did find a picture of one on the web. Thanks again.

[pheli]

Liparis viridiflora is a local species that usually dwells on the trunk of big trees along rivers. It grows well in Phal's condition but tolerates cold temperature(5-degree Celsius). Since it has fine roots and loves high humidity, people here often grow them in sphagnum.

[Don Perusse]

Thanks Pheli, I guess I am on the right track as I have been told the same thing since my post for info.

[kiki-do]

I have this plant also. It came in spag. moss and I was told to keep it moist like a phrag. I've changed the moss to bark mix, only because it needed repotting and I didn't have any good moss. The bulbs were literally coming out of the pot it was in. It gets watered every other day. I have so many new growths and many with small sheathes, that it's rather exciting. I noticed that before I learned to water every other day (and I soak it for a good hour) that some of the leaves started to wrinkle up, and one new bulb dried right up on me. I treat it like my phals as far as fertilizing. It's growing leaps and bounds. I was told it blooms in the fall.
Hope that helps!

[Don Perusse]

Thanks Kiki, it does. Nice to know when it blooms. I was given a division with 5 pseudobulbs so I don't think it will be blooming this fall. BUT one can hope!