Big, Bold Sobralia Blooms
This Sobralia orchid has been a reliable cool-grower in our garden for over a decade. Its scientific name, Sobralia macrantha, means “big-flowered Sobralia” and it’s no lie. These large, purple blooms with their frilly lips can span 10 inches (25 cm,) but mine are usually a little smaller. A few years ago, I moved this plant indoors for a while, thinking it might grow better with more warmth and less wind. Eventually, I moved it back outside, and it seems happier. Since then, the plant has given me great, extended blooms, with each blossom lasting as long as five days. It flowers repeatedly throughout the year, especially in autumn and winter, despite our challenging coastal climate. In the past couple weeks, we’ve had storms with winds over 55 mph (89 kph) and occasional hail, so the flowers may be battered, but fresh ones keep coming.
Sobralias are notorious for short-lived flowers, and my orchid friends are always surprised that these can last five days, instead of the typical one or two. I think cool temps here on the foggy Northern California coast may help them last longer. The species can grow up to 7 feet (2.1 m) tall, but my plant only reaches 1.5 feet (0.46 m,) probably because of our strong winds.
Native to rainforests from Mexico to Costa Rica, Sobralia macrantha grows up to 11,000 feet (3353 m) elevation. Mine receives morning sun, regular water, fertilizer, and plenty of fresh air outdoors. I give it less water in cooler winter weather. This orchid proves that nobody needs warm, tropical conditions to enjoy big, bold blooms.
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