Dracula velutina is native to Colombia. They are found in the West Kordyler in the Department of Amtioquia. They grow near Frontino at an altitude of 1220 m. They were also found in the vicinity of Urrao and in several other locations...
Dracula velutina also called as The Velvety Dracula, Dracula lactea, Dracula microglochin, Dracula trinema, Masdevallia lactea, Masdevallia microglochin, Masdevallia trinema, Masdevallia velutina, is a species of the genus Dracula. This species was described by Carlyle A. Luer in 1978.
IDENTIFY DRACULA VELUTINA
Dracula velutina is native to Colombia. They are found in the West Kordyler in the Department of Amtioquia. They grow near Frontino at an altitude of 1220 m. They were also found in the vicinity of Urrao and in several other locations.
It is a small to just medium sized, cold to cool growing epiphyte, which reaching 12 to 30 cm high, with erect, stout, 2-5 cm long ramicauls enveloped basally by 2 to 3 loose, tubular sheaths and carrying a single, apical, erect, thinly coriaceous, carinate, narrowly elliptical-linear, acute, gradually narrowing below into the conduplicate base, 10-25 cm long and 0.8-2.0 cm wide leaf.
The Velvety Dracula blooms in the winter, spring and fall on multiple, 7.5 to 10 cm long, successively single, 2 flowered inflorescence arising from low on the ramicaul. The flowers are 3-6 cm in diameter and have white petals of the outer whorls, which are lightly colored purple at the apexes, at the base or along the nerves. They are densely covered with hairs on the inside and have long, narrow purple tails growing from the tops. The inner whorls are white with purple or brown spots. The lip is white, tinged pink, and the rod is yellowish-white.
DRACULA VELUTINA CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Dracula velutina needs a light level of 12000-18000 lux. The position of the plants should be shady, light filtered or scattered, and the plants can never be exposed to direct sunlight. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time. If the plants do not bloom, you can gradually increase the light level slightly, but care should be taken that the leaves do not burn.
Temperature:
Throughout the year, the average day temperature is 28-31 ° C, the night 16-18 ° C, and the daily difference is 11-14 ° C.
Humidity:
For most of the year, The Velvety Dracula needs the average humidity of 70-75%.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Dracula velutina can be either mounted or planted in a hanging basket with high humidity and watering at least once a day in summer. During hot and dry weather, it may be necessary to water several times during the day.
It can also grow hanging in sphagnum-lined baskets and filled with a loose, quick-drying substrate, such as medium-sized bark or chopped tree fern fibers. Perlite and cut sphagnum moss are also often added, which keep the substrate cool, but also retain moisture. The addition of charcoal also improves the structure of the substrate and prevents its soda.
The plants need to be repotted when the substrate begins to decompose, or when growing out of the container. Repotting is best done when new roots begin to grow, because then the plants will stabilize in the shortest possible time.
Watering:
From the end of spring until autumn the precipitation is moderate to heavy, but slightly smaller in the period of 2-3 winter months, although it is not actually a dry season. The cultivated plants should be abundantly watered during active growth, but the substrate around the roots can never be soggy or stale. When new growths reach maturity in autumn, the amount of water should be gradually reduced.
Fertilizer:
It is recommended to apply a 1/4-1/2 dose of fertilizer for orchids every week during active growth. You can use balanced fertilizer throughout the year, but van also use high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to mid-summer, and then until the end of autumn, high phosphorus fertilizer.
Rest period:
In winter, the amount of water to Dracula velutina should be reduced, especially when grown in dark, short days at moderate latitudes. Fertilization should be reduced or eliminated until spring, when new growth starts and more watering is undertaken.
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