Ionopsis utricularioides

[Bud]

This orchid specie is endemic to Florida all the way down to Brazil. I received this plant from a grower in Puerto Rico a year ago. This orchid has been seen growing in Guava trees, Crescentia, Randia, and in assorted citric trees; sometimes falling to the ground yet still survive. But if taken from its natural habitat this orchid plant will only survive a year tops in captivity. I grow this in cool to warm conditions with moderate to bright light in the south facing bay window. I water the plant right before the potting mix starts to dry just like my Tolumnias. In winter I water it every 10 days. This is potted in a well-draining medium= fresh spruce sawdust mixed with crushed clay bits and just a sprinkle of Dolomite stone powder. I inherited this mounted but decided to place it in a net pot due to my humidity issues inside my apartment. I feed it every other week with K-Lite fertilizer alternated with seaweed mix.
I read in an old Orchid Bulletin, that some growers have been able to keep this plant alive for years, even in the absence of a living host for the plant. Mine is a single spike with tiny half inch flowers. Hopefully it survives in my care (in its second year)since I think my plant came from seedling flasks. I have seen photos in the Internet of specimen plants with huge four inches flowers in several spikes; the most likely explanation for these = is that they are several wild collected plants potted together.

[Orchidgirl83]

That is very pretty. I hope it continues to do well for you.

[WhiteRabbit]

Charming!

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Orchidgirl83

That is very pretty. I hope it continues to do well for you.

Thank You!!!!

---------- Post added at 11:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:48 PM ----------

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Charming!

Thank You Sonya !!!!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I love these. They put on a show.

[nikkik]

It's very pretty. I enjoyed reading your post and hope that it continues to thrive in your care.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I love these. They put on a show.

Thank You, Philip !

---------- Post added at 02:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:31 PM ----------

Originally Posted by nikkik

It's very pretty. I enjoyed reading your post and hope that it continues to thrive in your care.

Thank You, nikkik !!!!

I hope so too....this is a compact small plant that is just right for my windowsill. But I have seen pictures in the net and they can grow into big specimens in the wild with magnificent show of blooms.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Amazing beautiful orchid, and thanks so much for all the info. It's funny, I was just about to buy one of these, I love them and it was on my list, however I did not know about the fact they may not last long and may die, which I would hate. I am not sure where the seller obtain the plant or if his was from the flask. I hope yours will last for some time and grow bigger an stronger!

[Bud]

Thank You, Tommy !

[katrina]

Don't worry, Bud...I'm sure you'll keep it alive just fine.

FWIW...I've had mine for at least 4yrs. Maybe even 5 yrs.

I suspect I could grow mine better because it's not a rampant grower and it doesn't bloom anywhere near as spectacularly as some I've seen. I've seen some that are not only larger plants but the sprays of blooms are jaw dropping. [note to self - work on that]