Clamshell Orchid
Prosthechea cochleata
- Native to:
- Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Puerto Rico, Suriname, United States, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
D. Joshua Zampini
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Genus:
- Prosthechea
- Species:
- Prosthechea cochleata
- USDA Symbol:
- PRCO4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple, brown
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained organic matter
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers epiphytic conditions on tree bark
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Dust seeds require symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi or sterile asymbiotic agar medium for germination; conventional cold stratification is not applicable.