Habitat and Ecology
​Gongora grossa is a medium-sized pseudobulbous epiphyte native to Northern South America, with a distribution including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is found in tropical moist and wet rainforests, specifically in the lowland, evergreen forests, and cloud forest margins at elevations typically between 50 and 1,300 metres. It grows on tree trunks in shaded, wet, and warm conditions. Like other Gongora species, its flowers are highly specialised, relying on male Euglossine (Orchid) bees for pollination, which are attracted by the unique, species-specific chemical scents the flowers emit.
 
​Description
 
​This orchid is a clump-forming perennial that produces ovoid, deeply ribbed pseudobulbs topped by two large, thin, plicate (pleated) leaves. The spectacular flowers are borne on long, basal, pendent inflorescences (30 cm or more long) that emerge from the base of the plant. The spike carries several to many blooms, often 5 to 12 flowers, which appear in late spring and early summer. The flowers are complex, with a "horse-head" or "praying mantis" shape. They are typically yellow, tawny, or greenish and are often heavily spotted with reddish-brown or purple-black markings (hence the former synonym G. nigropunctata). The lip is complex, fleshy, and highly sculpted. The flowers are strongly and exotically fragrant, often described as spicy, reminiscent of cinnamon or allspice.
 
​Cultivation
​Gongora grossa requires a warm, humid environment and, like its Stanhopea relatives, must be grown in a hanging basket to allow the pendent flower spikes to grow downwards. It needs bright, indirect light (similar to Cattleya light); it will tolerate less light, but reduced light can inhibit blooming. Use an open, coarse, and free-draining epiphytic mix of bark, charcoal, and sphagnum moss. Keep the medium evenly moist during active growth; do not let it dry out completely.
 
​Optimal Daytime Temperature: 21-29 C (70-84 F)
​Optimal Nighttime Temperature: A drop is beneficial, ideally 13-18 C (55-64 F).
 
​High humidity (60-80%) is crucial, along with plentiful air movement to prevent spotting on the thin leaves. Feed regularly (weekly) during the growing season with a balanced, dilute liquid orchid feed.
 
​Unique Features
 
​This orchid is a phenomenal choice for the enthusiast, known for its dramatic, cascading flower chains that are highly fragrant and exotically patterned. The strong, spicy fragrance (resembling a vintage cologne or spice cabinet) is its key feature. Its unique method of pollination, relying on male Euglossine bees, and the bizarre, sculpted morphology of the bloom make it a truly fascinating, high-impact specimen.
 
​Specifications
​Plant Size: Flowering size plants with 3+ pseudobulbs.
​Plant Family: Orchidaceae
​Plant Passport: A Gongora  grossa B 140084 C [user input] D GB