Herself's Houseplants

Odontoglossum crispum, a white flowered odontoglossum was first discovered in the mountain cloud forests of Columbia in the early 1840s. It immediately became a rage in Europe and little is left of the forest where these plants once grew.

This is a cool growing orchid preferring temperatures between 50′F and 75′F. This makes it great for a drafty location in your home. Be sure if you live in a cooler area than I do now to put it outside for a good chunk of the summer if you are able.

Odontoglossum orchids are high light orchids like cymbidiums. So find this plant the brightest, sunniest window in your home. If the leaves start to turn white, it is too bright, but that is unlikely in most home settings. But watch it closely when you first bring it home.

Roots should be kept moist not wet at all times. When I first brought a couple of these home, they had been planted in bark and the psuedo bulbs ( thick area at bottom of leaves ) was wrinkled, a sure sign of water distress. They also dry out quickly in sunny windows. So I repotted my odontoglossum orchids in sphagnum moss. I think that is the best choice for this species.

With proper care you should get at least two, as many as a dozen when the plant gets old, stems of closely placed flowers. Some varieties are fragrant, some not. This one is not noticeably so.

Because I have them planted in moss, not soil or bark, I use fertilizer each time I water.

These orchids because of their shape and love of moist roots do very well just placed in large glass containers with moist moss kept about their roots.

I love unusual plants and this one has the added benefit of being easy to grow. I’ve seen it in hanging pots where it spills over the sides and down about 4′. I’ve seen it in greenhouses, shaded and full sun, I have some in pots out back in full sun.

It is known as a carrion flower. The flower is scented to attract flies, it has a mild, distasteful smell, that is not noticeable after a few days. Unless you’re a fly.

It loves the sun, it loves when you forget to water it, it just doesn’t like the cold. It must be protected from freezing.

In the winter it will need lots of light, all you can give to it, and ease up on the watering or it will rot. It is very prone to root rot, water this plant sparingly.

Stapelia does best planted in sand so the water can rapidly drain and the soil dry.

This plant is native to parts of Africa and there are several sub-species with different sized, colored and shaped flowers.

Propagation:
Snap off a stalk and plant it. It’s that easy.

See also:
Plants of Africa: Stapelia
Floridata: Stapelia