The elegance and fragility of flowers make them symbols of love, purity, and beauty. People have always been fascinated by flowers. One of the most beautiful flowers around the globe is orchids. There are more than 30,000 varieties of them.
There’s one type that’s unique as the stamens and low petals of these orchids looks like monkeys.
They are just perfect for all animal and flower lovers.
The Monkey Orchid is found in the forests of Peru and southeastern Ecuador. This plant also grows about 2,000 feet above sea level.
This flower is also known as Orchid Simia or Dracula Simia (monkey dragon). The name was given by Carlyle A. Lueren, a botanist, due to their resemblance to the simians in 1978.
There are 118 different varieties of the flower and can be found in Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, with about half of them found in Ecuador.
The most popular among them are Dracula amaliae and Dracula gigas. They both have the same monkey face, but in different color and shape.
The Monkey Orchid scents like fresh oranges. These flowers can bloom during any season, at any time.
But they need colder temperatures and low light, and grow in high humidity. They also grow up to 2 feet tall.
Here are some useful tips to grow these orchids at home:
- You need to take a plant container with a drainage hole and then keep a saucer under it. Keep the soil moist at all times.
- You also need a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch if you live in a warmer region as it will help you prevent moisture evaporation.
- Exposed them to moderately bright light and not to direct sunlight.
- Pick off the faded blossoms to stimulate a fresh flush of flowers.
Sources:
didyouknowfacts.com
www.marthastewart.com
www.gardeningknowhow.com
