Cochleanthes discolor (now classified as Warczewiczella discolor) is an unusual, miniature to small sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte found in Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador at elevations of 700 to 1850 meters. This population is seed grown.
The compact plants have fan-shaped, 6-inch leaves and no pseudobulb. Many short, single-flowered spikes with long-lasting, 2-inch blooms emerge from between the pale green leaves. Flowers have greenish-white sepals and purple petals enclose a purple/blue lip with a white fringe. They thrive in bright indirect light (east morning sun is okay), warm to cool temperature (try to keep a minimum of 10°F difference between day and night), high humidity, and good air movement. They do best in a net pot with sphagnum mixed with wood bark chips (or other water retentive media that does not dry out too quickly). Because they lack pseudobulbs they are not able to store water, therefore the media must not be allowed to dry out completely. Can be grown on a windowsill, under lights, or in an orchid cabinet. These make wonderful companion plants to standard Phals as they have similar requirements. With proper care these plants can grow into specimens.
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