Do you like to potter around in the garden? Well maybe on some days you like to monkey around out there too!
While the orchid is already one of the most loved plants and can be found in gardens throughout the world, these particular orchids, known as Orchid Simia or Dracula Simia (commonly known as the ‘Monkey Orchid’) really are something unique. They actually look like little monkeys!
In fact, of the 30,000 varieties of known, orchid these are perhaps the most unusual.
The Dracula orchid won’t suck your blood—but it does trick flies by masquerading as a mushroom. Fruit flies typically swarm on rainforest fungi. This group of orchids in the American tropics takes advantage of their preferences, duping the hapless flies into pollinating them! pic.twitter.com/7xCU3op0Bd
— American Museum of Natural History (@AMNH) January 11, 2018
Found in Central and South America, these plants can grow up to two feet in height. Of the monkey variety itself, there are around 118 types – all of which have their own unique monkey style. Not only do they look great but they also have a wonderful orange scent and bloom throughout the year.
This is the Dracula Vampira Orchid
— Diane Doniol-Valcroze (@ddoniolvalcroze) April 22, 2019
(photo: Hawk Hill Nursery) pic.twitter.com/RsFUBGLmCV
First named ‘Monkey Orchid, by botanist Carlyle A. Lauren back in 1978, the plants despite being beautiful can be quite difficult to grow and look after properly. Indeed, they do best at high altitudes, especially at 2000ft above sea-level.
A fearsome plant for #Halloween. The Dracula orchid is so named due to the blood-red colour of several of the species, and this Dracula chimaera flower even has red 'eyes' 👀 pic.twitter.com/X5S5OMYpOg
— The RHS (@The_RHS) October 31, 2018
The little faces of a Dracula orchid peering out from their basket at work today. pic.twitter.com/jq3Yisfh3j
— Chris Thorogood (@thorogoodchris1) March 31, 2020
Most adorable orchid I've ever seen. Dracula simia, the Monkey #Orchid 🐒 Central Vancouver Island Orchid Society. pic.twitter.com/CgxrMlvRX6
— Joanne Nemeth (@ThreeTabbies) January 21, 2017
Gardeningknowhow.com give some tips as to how best to look after your monkey orchids should you choose to purchase one.
They suggest:
If planting outdoors, plant them 10 weeks before the end of spring. Keep the soil moist at all times, a 2 to 4 inch layer of mulch on top will help seal in moisture, especially in hotter climates.
STRANGE FLOWERS THAT EXIST ON OUR PLANET...
— laurent (@solivan675) March 20, 2020
🥀🌸💐🌺🌷
-MONKEY FACE ORCHID (DRACULA SIMIA )
by BlackNBlue.
(click on the image to enlarge it.) pic.twitter.com/vXc2FTOsSL
Keep different orchids a good 6 inches at least apart from one another. Place in indirect sunlight.
As blossoms fade, remove them to allow for new blooms to take their place.
And that’s it! Next time you feel like adding a bit of monkey silliness to your garden, think about investing in some monkey orchids! Remember, they eat special orchid plant food that you can buy from garden centres, bananas and peanuts just won’t work.
COMMENTS