🇨🇴 Habitat and Ecology
​Dracula radiosa is a striking epiphytic orchid endemic to the Andes mountains of Colombia. Its primary range is concentrated in the departments of Antioquia and Risaralda.
​It is a denizen of cool, wet cloud forests, typically found at elevations between 1,900 and 2,200 metres. In these moss-laden environments, it grows on the trunks and lower branches of trees, experiencing perpetual moisture, frequent fogs, and low light levels due to the dense canopy cover.
​🌸 Description and Distinguishing Features
​This species is a caespitose (clump-forming) perennial typical of the genus, lacking pseudobulbs and relying on slender stems (ramicauls) to hold the foliage.
​Foliage: The leaves are erect, narrowly elliptic, and thinly leathery (15-25 cm long), with a distinct keel on the underside near the base.
​Flowers: The inflorescences are horizontal to pendulous (descending). They emerge from the base and often grow downwards through the substrate, necessitating open-mesh containers. The flowers are cupped and mostly facing downwards.
​Aesthetics (The "Radiant" Pattern): The background colour of the sepals is typically pale yellow, cream, or whitish. The defining characteristic, for which the species is named, is the heavy marking of brown, reddish-brown, or purple-brown spots that are aligned in distinct radiating lines or veins originating from the center of the flower towards the edges.
​Tails and Lip: The sepals terminate in long, slender, dark maroon-brown tails. The central lip (labellum) is small, scoop-shaped, and usually white or very pale pink, providing a bright focal point amidst the darker markings.
​🔬 Taxonomy and Ethnobotany
​Taxonomy: Described by Carlyle Luer and Rodrigo Escobar in 1979, the specific epithet radiosa is Latin for "radiant" or "shining", referring specifically to the ray-like arrangement of the spots on the sepals.
​Pollination: Like other Dracula species, D. radiosa employs fungal mimicry. The appearance and likely mushroom-like scent of the lip attract fungus gnats (Mycetophilidae), which are deceived into trying to lay eggs in the flower, effecting pollination.
​💧 Cultivation and Care
​Dracula radiosa is a cool-growing specialist that demands high humidity and constant moisture. It is not suitable for typical household conditions.
​Light: Requires deep shade to low filtered light. Direct sunlight will rapidly overheat and desiccate the thin leaves. Light levels suited for deep-shade ferns are appropriate.
​Substrate: Must be grown in a net pot or wooden basket lined with sphagnum moss. This allows the pendent flower spikes to emerge freely without rotting against solid plastic walls.
​Watering: The moss medium must be kept constantly wet. Do not allow it to dry out.
​Water Quality: Use only rainwater, distilled, or reverse osmosis (RO) water. These plants are highly sensitive to dissolved minerals and salts found in tap water, which cause leaf-tip necrosis.
​Temperature:
​Optimal Daytime: 15-20 C (59-68 F).
​Optimal Nighttime: 10-14 C (50-57 F).
​Critical Limit: Avoid sustained temperatures above 24 C (75 F).
​Humidity: Very High (80-90%+) is essential year-round.
​✨ Unique Features
​While many Dracula are spotted, Dracula radiosa is defined by the organized alignment of its markings. The spots are not randomly scattered but rather follow the veins in a starburst or radiating pattern from the center of the cup-shaped flower, giving it a structured, dynamic appearance distinct from its more chaotically patterned relatives.
​🏷️ Specifications
​Plant Size: 4+ leaved growths in netted pots. These are divisions from our stock plants.
Plant Family: Orchidaceae
Plant Passport: A Dracula radiosa B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB