Cirrhopetalum curtisii Orchid Flowers Pictures

Cirrhopetalum curtisii Orchids

Cirrhopetalum curtisii Orchids

Cirrhopetalum curtisii Orchids

Cirrhopetalum curtisii Orchids

Cirrhopetalum curtisii Orchids

Cirrhopetalum curtisii Orchids

Cirrhopetalum curtisii Orchids

        Cirrhopetalum curtisii has strongly 4-5-angled ovoid pseudobulbs that are 1-1.5 cm high and 9.5-13 mm diameter, which are borne along a creeping branching rhizome at 6-18 mm intervals.  The single apical, stalked leaf is 9-16 cm long and 23-31 mm broad.  Slender inflorescences are produced from the base of the pseudobulb, which are 7-14 cm long.  They are mostly reddish or purplish and bear 9-10 (-12 or more) small flowers in an umbel at the end.  The blooms are 11-13.5 mm long and are variable in colour but are generally dark purple with yellow tips to the lateral sepals and a yellowish lip.  They may vary from white or yellowish with purple stripes on the lateral sepals and with purple tips to the dorsal sepal and petals.  Cirr. curtisii var. lutescens has pale yellow flowers that are more intense around the petals and dorsal sepal and have an orange lip.  Short-lived the blooms last for 4-5 days and produce a clear egg-white-like fluid that coats the surfaces of the flower.

        Distributed in Peninsular Thailand , Malaya , Sumatra and Borneo , Cirr. curtisii is found at low altitudes.  It is  a warm-growing species that requires high humidity and a winter minimum of 18 oC.  Grow it in a small pot, shallow tray or basket with a well-drained medium.  To accommodate its creeping habit it can be mounted on cork bark, tree fern or hardwood but may need daily watering or misting during the summer and the warmer months.  Good air circulation is also important.  In winter ensure that the leaves are dry at night by watering in the morning of sunny days.  Brown and black spots develop on the leaves when temperatures drop below 15 oC.  Leaf drop usually occurs at temperatures below 12 oC.