Telipogons - The Impossible Made Possible

by Marianna Max

Telipogon species have intriguing, large flowers that look distinctly non-orchid-like. The plant habit is also unlike that of most orchids since they have no pseudoblubs - instead storing a minimal amount of water in the fleshy stems. They need to be kept in constant high humidity and cool temperatures to remain hydrated. However, they are also prone to rot so constant air movement, like they receive in their high mountain home, is also mandatory. Many species of Telipogon grow as epiphytes in the cloudy mountainous regions of the Andes at altitudes between 6,600 and 10,000 feet. Most species of this genus grow as twig epiphytes with roots that cling precariously to the very ends of twigs. In the habitat they experience humidity approaching 100% year round and experience temperatures that do not exceed 63 F. They are constantly moist but also perfectly drained and always rocked by cool breezes. They are small plants with fleshy stems and the flower mass often exceeds the mass of the supporting plant. With natural growing conditions like this, it is easy to see why this species is not commonly cultivated.

My online friend Ron Griesbeck, who grows many cool growing orchids indoors in Michigan, has managed to find a way to grow and bloom this genus. Here’s how he does it:

“I grow them in a Wardian case at a temperature low-high range limits in summer of 58F - 74F; in winter of 45F - 66F. Relative humidity is never allowed to fall below 75% and usually hovers near 90%. I grow them under biaxial fluorescent lighting ranging from 500 to 2000 foot candles. Water quality is very critical for cloud forest plants so I use reverse osmosis filtered (RO) of <10 ppm Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). I keep them evenly moist but never sodden for long periods. Constant strong air movement is also necessary to prevent attacks by bacterial, fungal or mold pathogens that are always present in the high humidity environment.” - Ron Griesbeck

Ron was also kind enough to let us post photos he has taken of a few of his plants. - Thank You Ron!

 

	Telipogon species #13 (Ecuador)
	Telipogon butcheri (Panama)
	Telipogon ionopogon (Ecuador)