The monkey face orchid actually has these nicknames, and many people don't know them

Flowers & Gardening Jan 1, 1970 0 views

The monkey face orchid, of the orchid family and the genus Dracula, is a small epiphytic orchid about 40 cm tall, with thick stems, and opposite leaves that are obovate-lanceolate. The flowers grow in opposite pairs in the leaf axils, are funnel-shaped, and the flower stalks emerge from the base; the seeds are tiny.

Nicknames of the monkey face orchid

Monkey face orchid

Morphological characteristics of the monkey face orchid

The monkey face orchid is a small epiphytic orchid with short creeping stems, 30-40 cm tall, and thick, hollow stems. The leaves are opposite, broadly ovate. Where it lies on the ground, roots form at the nodes. Broadly ovate, nearly as long as wide, slightly narrower at the top. The leaves are obovate-lanceolate.

Sparse raceme, flowers opposite in the leaf axils, funnel-shaped, yellow, usually with purplish-red blotches or spots; the flower stalk emerges from the base, and the sepals and petals merge into three lobes, with the labellum in the center.

The petals look especially like a little monkey, so it is also called the monkey face orchid, and it is very cute.

Growth habits of the monkey face orchid

The monkey face orchid requires a cool growing environment, fears intense heat, is difficult to get through the summer, and is not tolerant of frost either; 10°C-25°C is the suitable cultivation temperature. In the warmer regions of the south, it can be placed outdoors in semi-shade all year or grown in plastic greenhouses; in the Yangtze River basin or regions to the north, it should be cultivated in intermediate-temperature or high-temperature greenhouses, and in late autumn, winter, and early spring, when temperatures are not very high, direct sunlight should be given to help the plant form flower buds, bloom, and set seed. If hot weather occurs or in summer, humidity should be increased and shade nets used to lower the temperature; when the temperature is below 10°C, it should be kept warm and heated.

Main value of the monkey face orchid

The monkey face orchid has strong branching, unusual and large flowers, rich flower colors in many places, and good tolerance to moisture and shade. It is mostly used for potted cultivation, hanging baskets, or hanging basket cultivation, and is very suitable for green decoration in places such as in front of windows in living rooms, on balcony walls, in shop windows of commercial buildings, and at exhibition hall entrances. It is full of vitality and naturally relaxed.

Flower language of the monkey face orchid

The magnificent transformation of the senior brother