Warczewiczella amazonica (2.5” pot blooming size)

Warczewiczella amazonica has been sold in recent years as Cochleanthes amazonica but the plant taxonomists as Kew have decided to return it to the name originally given to it in 1854 by Reichenbach. It is part of a group of plants, primarily from the Amazon basin, that produce fans of soft green leaves with no pseudobulbs and plenty of thick, fleshy roots. Mainly in the cooler months, but occasionally at other times as well, individual blossoms emerge from between the leaves that are visually stunning and large. The white flowers with a wide spreading lip that features radiating purple lines can be four inches in height, and last well for 6 to 8 weeks.. Each growth can produce several flowers over an extended period of time, so while plants are rarely covered in blooms there can easily be a half dozen or more open at once on mature plants. Given where this species comes from, it prefers to stay warm, shady and damp. But always, water should be able to drain away from the roots fairly quickly. It is a great subject for growing indoors under LED lights but should be kept off to the side rather than directly under the lights. These plants are overfilling 2.5” pots and ready for a larger pot at any time but best done as new roots are forming.