Barkeria melanocaulon

[TundraKev]

I really love this plant. Flowers are about 1.5 cm across. One of my goals this year is to collect as many of the species as possible - not totally impossible since there are probably less than 15.



Kev d

[Gin]

kev , it is beautiful , how big is the plant? just a rough guess is it in a pot or mounted , the picture of it is outstanding . Now you did it! another one for my neverending wish list . Gin

[TundraKev]

kev , it is beautiful , how big is the plant? just a rough guess is it in a pot or mounted , the picture of it is outstanding . Now you did it! another one for my neverending wish list . Gin

Thanks Gin,

Mine isn't that big yet, maybe 10 inches or so. The spike adds another 10 inches. I just recently saw another one of the species completely filling a 12 inch basket. It was unbelievable.

This is one of those plants that you have to grow either mounted or in a basket. From what I've heard, if you try to grow them in something, the roots rot. Since I don't do baskets, I put it in a tall, narrow clay pot with chunks of tree fern to hold it in place. The roots just grow all over the TF and the pot. Give it lots of sun and it's happy.

For some people, they do go dormant in winter and drop their leaves, but mine hasn't. I talked to another grower about this and he said as long as they have a bit of water at this time of year, they don't have to do the dormant thing. I know Laura on GW has this one. Maybe you could beg a piece from her? I think this one is one of the best of the species, but you should check out the others. They are all great.

[Gin]

Thanks for the info. good idea about the potting method , I have quite a few baskets in the green house with coconut fibre , think my coryanthus will go into one it is in a 2 inch pot with a spike and 2 buds, today I found another spike , had to cut more of the pot away , still not sure just what to put it in ,any ideas ? I posted the question and most thought a basket . Gin

[TundraKev]

Thanks for the info. good idea about the potting method , I have quite a few baskets in the green house with coconut fibre , think my coryanthus will go into one it is in a 2 inch pot with a spike and 2 buds, today I found another spike , had to cut more of the pot away , still not sure just what to put it in ,any ideas ? I posted the question and most thought a basket . Gin

Basket sounds good to me too. If I could do them, I think that is the best way to go with lots of stuff.

Forgot to mention: Barkeria was once classified with the Epidendrums and looks very similar to them in growth habit. I've even seen some Bark and Epi crosses that were very nice.