🇪🇨 Habitat and Ecology
 
​Trichocentrum tigrinum (the Tiger-Like Trichocentrum) is a miniature epiphytic orchid native to Ecuador and Peru. It is typically found in seasonally dry forests and wet tropical biomes on the western slopes of the Andes. It grows at lower elevations, ranging from sea level up to 700 metres (though some sources suggest higher), anchoring itself to trees in warm, humid environments that experience a distinct dry season.
 
​🌸 Description and Distinguishing Features
​This orchid is a miniature, caespitose (clump-forming) perennial prized for its disproportionately large flowers.
​Foliage: It produces small, stiffly coriaceous (leathery), elliptic-oblong leaves that are often fleshy or semi-succulent, growing up to 10 cm long. The leaves are typically a dull green, sometimes with spotting.
​Flowers: The spectacular flowers are borne on short, pendent to lateral spikes (5-8 cm long) that emerge from the base of the plant, carrying 1 or 2 large blooms. The flowers are huge for the plant size, measuring 4-6 cm wide.
​Aesthetics: The sepals and petals are typically yellow-green to olive-brown, often spotted or suffused with reddish-brown. The defining feature is the massive, spreading lip (labellum), which is white and heavily marked with vibrant purple, magenta, or red-violet blotches on the lower half, resembling a tiger's markings. The flowers are fragrant, often described as having a scent reminiscent of Lily of the Valley.
​Ethnobotany: While there are no specific traditional uses recorded for Trichocentrum tigrinum, the genus Trichocentrum is highly valued in horticulture for its unique "Mule Ear" or "Rat Tail" morphologies, though T. tigrinum belongs to the small, broad-leaved section previously allied with Oncidium.
​Differentiation: Trichocentrum tigrinum is distinguished from similar species like Trichocentrum pulchrum by its much larger, spreading white lip with distinct purple spotting (vs. the smaller, often yellow/white lip of T. pulchrum) and its compact, broad-leaved habit (unlike the "rat-tail" species like T. cebolleta).
 
​💧 Cultivation and Care
​Trichocentrum tigrinum is a warm-to-hot growing orchid that requires bright light and a dry rest to thrive.
​Light: Needs bright, filtered light (25,000-35,000 lux). It tolerates some direct morning sun but must be shielded from harsh afternoon rays.
​Substrate: Best grown mounted on cork bark, tree fern slabs, or in small wooden baskets to allow rapid drainage and air circulation around the roots.
​Watering: Water regularly and abundantly during the active growing season (spring/summer), keeping the plant moist. Reduce watering significantly in winter to provide a drier rest period, which is crucial for flower bud initiation.
​Temperature:
​Optimal Daytime Temperature: 23-31 C (73-88 F).
​Optimal Nighttime Temperature: Warm nights are preferred, ideally 16-21 C (61-70 F).
​Humidity: High humidity (75-80%) is preferred during the growing season, dropping to 60-65% in winter.
 
​✨ Unique Features
​This miniature orchid is a collector's gem due to its huge, showy scented flowers that can dwarf the plant itself. The striking white lip with bold purple "tiger" spots and the delightful Lily of the Valley fragrance make it one of the most rewarding species for the warm-growing orchid enthusiast.
 
​🏷️ Specifications
​Plant Size: Flowering sized plants as seen in the picture
Plant Family: Orchidaceae
Plant Passport: A Trichocentrum tigrinum B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB