🇻🇪 Habitat and Ecology
​Peristeria pendula is a spectacular, large pseudobulbous epiphyte native to Northern South America. Its distribution includes Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is found in tropical wet forests and montane cloud forests, typically at elevations between 50 and 1,200 metres. This orchid is a plant of the forest canopy, thriving in a hot-to-warm growing regime with high humidity and bright, filtered light.
​🌸 Description and Distinguishing Features
​Commonly known as the Dormouse Orchid or Hanging Dove Orchid, this species is a robust, terrestrial or epiphytic perennial.
​Pseudobulbs & Foliage: It produces large, ovoid, ridged pseudobulbs (up to 15 cm tall) that are topped by several large, plicate (pleated), thin leaves.
​Flowers (Morphology): The spectacular flowers are borne on a long, pendent spike (raceme) that emerges from the base of the mature pseudobulb, typically growing downwards. The spike can carry numerous, densely clustered, waxy flowers. The blooms are medium-sized (3-5 cm wide) and exhibit a heavy, almost globular appearance.
​Aesthetics: The flowers are typically creamy-yellow, white, or pale green, often heavily spotted with dark purple or reddish-brown. The lip (labellum) is the most striking part: it is complex, fleshy, and often hinged, displaying a small structure that strongly resembles a sleeping dove or dove's head in profile, lending it its common name. The flowers are strongly fragrant, often smelling spicy or sweet.
​💧 Cultivation and Care
​Peristeria pendula is a warm-growing orchid that requires constant heat and moisture during its growing cycle. Due to its pendent flower spikes, it should be grown in a hanging pot or basket.
​Light: Requires bright, filtered light. Provide the maximum light possible without scorching the leaves.
​Substrate: Use a coarse, very well-draining terrestrial or epiphytic mix of bark, charcoal, and perlite.
​Watering: Water heavily and regularly during the spring/summer growing season, allowing the top of the medium to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering significantly in winter after the pseudobulbs mature, allowing for a rest period.
​Temperature:
​Optimal Daytime Temperature: 25-30 C (77-86 F).
​Optimal Nighttime Temperature: A small drop is beneficial, ideally 15-18 C (59-64 F).
​Humidity: High humidity (60-80%+) and strong air circulation are necessary.
​✨ Unique Features
​This orchid is highly sought after by collectors for its pendent flowering habit and its bizarre, beautiful flowers. The globular, heavily spotted waxy blooms with their distinctive dove-shaped lip make it a spectacular and highly fragrant conversation piece. Its need for a hanging basket to accommodate the downward-growing spike adds an architectural challenge.
​🏷️ Specifications
​Plant Size: plants with 2+ adult pseudobulbs 
Plant Family: Orchidaceae
Plant Passport: A Peristeria pendula B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB8