Is this an orchid?
 

A friend works for a sugar cane company that is clearing some timber to plant more cane. He got this for me from a tree that had been felled and was destined to be burned. He is working near the Rio Grande River on the Sao Paulo side, near Uberaba. I can't imagine that it's not an orchid, but I've never seen anything like it.

I am trying very hard to not go off on a tangent about the unfortunate clearing of more forests in this world in order to continue feeding the Machine. (we, the human race is the Machine)

Definately an orchid. Possibly a Cycnoches, or Catasetum.

You now have the opportunity to participate in orchid conservation. The best way is to keep the forests alive in which they live. Since its a bit late on this one... Learn what you can about it, and grow it well. Many were burned and are gone from this earth forever. But this one can live with you for a very long time.

Dave: Very nice response I agree with you 100% Thank you. Jim.

I agree wiyh Dave, definately a catasetinea. Take care with spider mites when the air is hot and dry (put it hanged just above a tray or bowl with wet sand, and keep the sand wet all the time - the sand, not the orchid!); mists only in the morning, in advance of high temperatures, never afternoon (catasetinae like to sleep dry). I think in Franca conditions this is the best way to grow catasetinae mounted.
Frederico

I'd say catasetum, not cycnoches. Only way to tell is from the flowers. Nice looking plant.

Thank you, everybody. Especially frederico for the cultural advice.

I'm excited about being able to preserve this one, though I'm still unsure about light requirements. I have a weeping willow like tree (light shade), and also a mulberry (deeper shade). Which do you think would be better?

I try to keep all the sand containers wet in the dry season, and also spray the grass underneath them. Hadn't thought about their being especially sensitive to late afternoon wettings.

What do you think of using tobacco insecticide if the spider mites do appear?

Guess I'll just have to keep an eye on it.

I'd avoid the tobacco. Can have tobacco mosaic virus in it... I'd just use a mild dish soap (a few drops in a liter of water) and spray with that. Get all surfaces of the leaf.

I really don't have anything to judge your light levels by, I'm sure they are far higher than mine. I'd start with the heavier shade and experiment with moving it to the lighter shade. If the leaves are dark green, it isn't getting enough light.

Just thinking: native forest was cleared to plant sugar cane; sugar cane plantation exists mainly to obtain ethanol, added (20 to 25%) to gas in Brazil, to get oil economy and obtain a more 'clean' fuel; ethanol is considered a 'ecologically correct' fuel, because the CO2 produced when it buns could be return, by photosinthesis, to sugar cane plant, and do not get worse the global heat. Conclusion: here in Brazil we destroy the native forest to save the planet, producing a clean and 'green' fuel, the ethanol!
Hmmm....I don't know....let's burn gas...or use a bike....
Frederico

Good thought process..welcome to planet earth. Quote from an old friend that fits me well... 'I feel like my people left me here when i was about 5, and ive been waiting for them to come get me ever since'.

If we survive long enough it will all be managed anyway. Nature will be whatever we plant or allow to exist. The notion of wilderness will be a memory gone as it would be for someone who thinking that they have found that perfect far away place that no one could have found before runs across an empty beer can! Definitely not litter from heaven!