An Orchid with Fabulous Fringe
Many orchids stop you in your tracks with their colors and patterns. This orchid stops you in your tracks with its shape and scent. Rhyncholaelia digbyana has fabulous fringe on its lip, and a rich citrus perfume at night. I bought this plant eight years ago, mistakenly believing that it could live outdoors on the Northern California coast. Outside, it grew new leaves, but then they slowly dropped off. Left with a single, lonely leaf, I reluctantly found room for this large, mounted plant inside. After a few years indoors, it’s grown new leaves and a big mass of healthy, dangling roots. A few weeks ago, it finally put out a magnificent five inch (12.7 cm) flower.
No matter what angle you view it from, this flower is all about that fringe. The pale green bloom is fragrant at night with a citrus scent, like orange peel or lemon peel. It’s no surprise that this incredible species has been important in hybridizing. In fact, if you have a Cattleya hybrid with a fringed lip, Rhyncholaelia digbyana is almost certainly in its parentage.
This orchid is the national flower of Honduras, and is also native to Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. Cultivating it requires Cattleya care, with morning sun and intermediate temps. Let it dry out well between thorough waterings. It can tolerate cool temps and dry air, but generally needs warmth and humidity to thrive. If you have space for a big, dramatic orchid, this species is a dazzling addition to any collection.
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