Dracula Orchids: Everything You Need to Know to Grow Them Like a Pro
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If you are passionate about cultivating rare plants, consider adding an other-worldly Dracula orchid to your collection. Species from this orchid genus aren’t the best houseplants for beginners as they are very picky about conditions.
But, if you can create a high-humidity, shady, and cool microclimate for them in your home or a greenhouse, you will be rewarded with distinctive small ornamental blooms. These epiphytic plants do well in hanging baskets, which can accommodate their downward growth habit.
Common Name | Dracula Orchid, Monkey Face Orchid |
Botanical Name | Dracula spp. |
Family | Orchidaceae |
Plant Type | Epiphytic, Perennial |
Mature Size | Up to 14 in. tall |
Sun Exposure | Partial, Shade |
Soil Type | Moist |
Bloom Time | Year-round |
Flower Color | Wide variety |
Native Area | Central and South America |
Dracula Orchid Care
Here are the main care requirements for growing delicate Dracula orchid species:
Pot in a moisture-retaining medium.
Position in a shady spot with indirect lighting.
Maintain high humidity, good air circulation, and cool, consistent temperatures.
Water regularly—don’t let these orchids dry out.
Feed every couple of weeks with a dilute balanced fertilizer.
Light
Dracula orchids grow in cloudy mountainous regions in their native habitat. That means they grow best in low to medium light levels, always avoiding exposure to direct sunlight. The cooler the temperatures, the more light they can generally handle.
Soil
Dracula orchids will die if you let the roots dry out, so a moisture-retentive, soilless potting medium is vital. Sphagnum moss is a common choice, although in very damp conditions something a little more quick drying could be beneficial.
A blend of orchid bark, small pine or fern bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss can work well.
Water
A big no-no for Dracula orchids is allowing the potting medium to dry out completely. Because these plants don’t have pseudobulbs, as some orchid species do, they can’t store much water and like consistent moisture.
Keep the medium evenly damp but not soggy, and check moisture levels daily. As a rough guide, you might need to water up to a few times a week in summer and once a week in the winter.
However, this will vary depending on humidity levels, temperatures, and the size of the plant. It’s also a good idea to use distilled or rainwater as Dracula orchids are sensitive to salts and other impurities.
Temperature and Humidity
Living on cloudy cliffs and high mountain tops in Central and South America, Dracula orchids are adapted to thrive in damp, cool conditions. Unlike tropical orchids, they don't do well in very hot environments.
The most challenging aspect of growing these plants is creating the particular microclimate they need to thrive. In terms of humidity, ideally, levels need to be above 70%, and if you can push them up to 80% (or more), all the better.
Growing in terrariums indoors or greenhouses—if you live in a cool region and can filter out the sun—makes achieving the humidity levels they need easier. In your home, you will need to invest in a good humidifier and pick your spot carefully.
Daytime temperatures shouldn't be above 70°F to 80°F, depending on the species). Ideally, nighttime ones won't drop below 50°F. If temperatures are too hot, these plants dry out fast.
Dracula orchids also appreciate good air circulation to prevent root rot, so pick a spot where they can access a gentle breeze or have a fan running near them.
Fertilizer
Your Dracula orchid will appreciate an application of a diluted quarter-to-half-strength balanced orchid fertilizer every one or three weeks during the growing season. Because these plants can't handle an accumulation of salt, regular watering in between will flush away any excesses.
Types of Dracula Orchids
There are over 100 Dracula orchid species. However, not all of these are available commercially, and because of their rarity, you often have to source them from specialist suppliers, and you might need to wait for the rarest commercially available species.
Some popular types of Dracula orchids sought after by enthusiastic collectors include:
Dracula lotax: Stands out for being able to tolerate warmer conditions. They can do well with temperatures into the 80s, providing you offer ample shade.
Dracula chimaera: This statement-making species has one of the biggest blooms in the genus. The spikes can reach 16 inches, and the blooms are a creamy white with red markings.
Dracula dodsonii: This plant's red and gold striped flowers don't grow downwards like most Dracula species flowers. That means they don't need to be grown in hanging baskets. While still stunning, the bloom shape means they don't resemble the monkey face like many of these plants do.
Dracula vampire: Features striking thin purplish-black veins on the delicate blooms
Propagating Dracula Orchids
Propagating orchids is tricky but possible. You can propagate these clump-forming, multi-stemmed sympodial orchid species by division. Try the steps below for a chance to add to your Dracula orchid collection:
Wait until the plant finishes blooming.
Ensure there are at least eight stems you can split in half—these plants prefer to grow in clumps.
Work with tools and on a surface that you have sterilized.
Ease the orchid from its pot, taking care not to damage the rhizomes.
Gently separate the tangle of rhizomes.
Leave at least four healthy rhizomes attached to the central rhizome.
Any division should have at least four healthy rhizomes and a few stems.
Consider treating any open cuts you make with hydrogen peroxide to minimize the chance of rot or fungal infections.
Repot the divisions. Mist the potting medium rather than watering for the first few weeks to keep moist but not wet.
Revert to the normal watering schedule once new root growth occurs.
Potting and Repotting Dracula Orchids
Frequent repotting in mesh pots or baskets is important for Dracula orchids. They don’t like being rootbound and appreciate a fresh potting medium. The mesh pots accommodate their downward-growing habit and promote better air circulation. Be prepared to repot annually before the potting mix breaks down or goes stale.
Create a pyramid of potting medium in the center of the new pot and gently spread the plant's roots across this before filling in the rest. The medium should only be slightly damp until new roots start growing, and then you can return to the normal watering schedule.
How to Get Dracula Orchids to Bloom
Collectors prize these plants for their unique, monkey-faced flowers. Learn more about the blooms on Dracula orchids to help you make the most of them.
Bloom Months
If conditions are right, many Dracula orchid species can bloom periodically throughout the year indoors or in greenhouses. They tend to be more prolific during the cooler months.
How Long Do Dracula Orchids Bloom?
Dracula orchid bloom length varies depending on conditions and species. However, individual blooms can last for one or two months when conditions are optimal.
What Do Dracula Orchid Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Most, but not all, species of Dracula orchids have distinct blooms that vaguely resemble a monkey’s face. They vary in color and markings, often with a creamy base and red or purple stripes or blotches. The blooms usually arise at the bottom of the base of the plant and grow downwards. A few species, however, grow erect spikes.
You aren’t nurturing Dracula orchids for their fragrance. Most of them have a mushroom-like odor (although, thankfully, it isn’t too pungent). This smell is designed to attract flies that pollinate the blooms in their native habitats.
How to Encourage More Blooms
If you are experiencing premature wilting or dropping of your Dracula orchid’s flowers or blooming just isn’t prolific, you probably aren’t getting it right with the microclimate you have created. Without very high humidity levels, frequent watering, low light, cool temperatures, good ventilation, and regular repotting, these plants won’t thrive (and might not even survive).
Common Pests
Dracula orchid flowers have evolved to look and smell almost like a mushroom to attract pollinating flies. This and the high humidity levels these plants need mean pests like fungus gnats can be a problem. However, because the plants prefer good ventilation, having a fan running can keep these bugs at bay.
Common Problems with Dracula Orchids
You’ve probably guessed that you can encounter many problems with Dracula orchids if you don’t pander to their particular requirements. However, watching out for the early warning signs that something isn’t right might mean you can make changes before the plant perishes.
Plant Leaves or Blooms Falling Off
While spikes and blooms will fall off your Dracula orchid as it ages, you can avoid premature leaf dropping by getting the watering schedule right. Consistent, even moisture is the key. Allowing your potting medium to dry out is a no-no and can quickly kill off your plant. Overwatering can also cause premature bloom dropping, so don’t flood your pot.
Overly warm temperatures and too much sunlight can also cause bud blast (premature dropping).
Drooping Spikes
The first sign you aren’t providing sufficiently high humidity levels for your Dracula orchid is drooping spikes.
Leaves Turning Yellow
Don’t panic if you see yellowing leaves on your Dracula orchid. If they are old spikes, they will turn yellow and drop naturally. If new spikes are turning yellow, it could be exposure to too much light, too little water, or overwatering causing soggy, rotting roots.
Browning of Leaf Tips
Too much sun or overly low humidity levels often result in unsightly browning of the tips of Dracula orchid leaf spikes. Also, avoid irrigating with tap water and always dilute your fertilizer to avoid leaf tip burn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are they called Dracula orchids?
The name Dracula orchid (sometimes also called vampire orchids) came about because the genus species can handle direct sunlight—just like the famous Count Dracula character.
Are Dracula orchids rare?
Dracula orchids are rare plants. Many species are endangered in their wild habitats, and cultivated species are only available from specialist suppliers.
Can I grow Dracula orchids outdoors?
Growing Dracula orchids outdoors isn’t a common occurrence. You can’t control the conditions the way you can in a terrarium or greenhouse, and given how picky these plants are about humidity, sun, and irrigation levels, they will likely die off quickly.
Read the original article on The Spruce.
