Peristeria elata, where to find one?

[vmax3000]

Originally Posted by maitaman

P. elata is almost extinct in nature here in Panama' because of the huge prices people will pay. I've found one plant in the wild and won't even show the pictures I took because certain plants near it would tell too many people where it is.
If your spike is growing downward, it's probably P. pendulata.

I didn't realize this was the case. Makes me sad.... If we don't reign in our activities, globally, I would gladly donate my greenhouse population for species reintegration, if it and I survive, that is

[cb977]

Just received this from Mike at EOoM...

Aloha,
It is a selfing of one we have growing in our yard that is Peristeria elata it just flowered that way as a fluke this time. Since we do not have Peristeria pendulata
it can not be that plant as we produce everything in our lab and do not buy from other sources.
Hope this will help
Mike

I've looked very closely at the buds on this plant and they are indeed white, not the reddish tone I would expect with the pendula or pendulata.

I'll post pics as soon as I see a flower!

[vmax3000]

Mine arrived the other day....in a 5 foot tall box The pbulbs are bigger than my fist. The plant is gorgeous and healthy and I am blown away. I have never had such a large orchid. Most of mine are minis...so, the adventure begins.

[Mahon]

Originally Posted by cb977

I've looked very closely at the buds on this plant and they are indeed white, not the reddish tone I would expect with the pendula or pendulata.

...so you have an albino Per. pendula?

J/K, but do post pictures of this guy!
____
Maitaman,

Do please post pictures of the in situ habitat, there's no chance the locality will be found out. Fortunately, the species is a little more common than 'near extinct' in Panama. The ideal habitat has been (as I've heard) a drier, rockier habitat, which has fit the description of clearings and farmland in Panama. The clearings have enabled this species to thrive more. It is comparable to species of Sacoila, where in the native forest, they are rare, but in the disturbed lands, they are populous. Also, it must be taken into consideration that Panama and Costa Rica are the northernmost ranges for the species, and perhaps conditions are not as ideal and suitable for them than the more southern countries such as Ecuador and Columbia, where they are more abundant.

-Pat

[cb977]

...so you have an albino Per. pendula?

Pat!!!

I'll post pics as soon as I get a bloom

[cb977]

Happy days!!!

The buds are coming along, although I did knock a few off in handling this monster.

Yesterday, while inspecting the chids...I found a new growth started on this one!

[vmax3000]

Originally Posted by cb977

Happy days!!!

The buds are coming along, although I did knock a few off in handling this monster.

Yesterday, while inspecting the chids...I found a new growth started on this one!

Suzanne,
How big is your plant? Mine is a jaw-dropping 3.5 feet tall. It's massive. The pot it occupies is 8" across and it looks like it needs a larger pot! I am mad for it, although the little tag warns that the beautiful flowers will smell of Vick's vapor rub.....

[cb977]

I haven't measured it but it's a big one! I'd say about 3 ft tall...I'm more amazed at the size of the bulbs! There's one that's the size of a baseball! I've read lots of different things about the fragrance...what sticks in my mind is that it is supposed to smell "sweet' from a distance and get "spicy" when you get close to it...we'll see...or smell

I just love that you and I were both able to get one!

[cb977]

Man, I am fuming!!!

The plant I got is starting to open it's blooms...and we were all right all along! It is NOT Peristeria elata!!!

I just emailed Mike at EOoM...I'll update again when I hear what he has to say.
Whatever he says had better be good...this is make-or-break moment for whether or not they lose a longtime customer.

[Mahon]

Sue,

That looks to be Peristeria pendula...

That is a HUGE bummer, Sue. How much did this plant cost you? If it's cheap enough, then you still have a wonderful addition to your collection. It seems from this early in blooming, that plant has wonderful color

-Pat