Ionopsis utricularioides

[SaraJean]

Y’all, it’s not even in full bloom and I am just too thrilled not share. I bought this little Ionopsis utricularioides back in late 2017. I spent all of 2018 just trying to keep the damn thing from dying. It was a wasn’t established on the mount and I’m pretty sure it was a recent import, also it got a few mealy bugs late in the year which killed off two of the growths. Most of 2019 it had done nothing (which was a massive improvement from the constant decline, lol). It finally started two new growths in the middle July and now it’s blooming on one of the older growths. A bit out of season, but I’ll take it.

I have been keeping it in very bright light (lots of direct) and intermediated temps in the winter, light watering every other day or so, but I do have very high winter humidity so it never gets dehydrated. Summer for this thing has been slightly less light, heavy watering and high temps with regular, light fertilizer and also high humidity. Good air movement year round

[Roberta]

Nice! I think this is one that I have to try again...

[fishmom]

What a cutie! Certainly worth all the effort you've put in.

[DeaC]

Nice. Comparettia looks similar. I haven't grown either but they're certainly complimentary.

[SaraJean]

Thank you! I’m so glad this little thing pulled through
And yes DeaC, it does remind me quite a bit of a Comparettia. I have been dying to get a one if those, a falcata or speciosa especially. I’m just not sure which ones, or if any of them, would do well in my climate. I might just have to bite the bullet and give one of them a go.

[SaraJean]

In all her glory. I am use to flowers lightening up after they open up, instead this one changed from the soft lavender to an even more intense pinky purple after a few days. Plus it’s kind of cool to see how the flower shape changed once they were fully open. I looooooooooooooove it