Dracula stakes claim on orchid kingdom

By Heidi Bornhorst

As anyone knows who has ever tried to create floral decor for Halloween, or even the autumn season, black and orange can be hard colors to find in the floral kingdom. But leave it to the creative people who love and nurture orchids, the jewel in the tropical crown, and they will find something new and awe-inspiring.

•	A Halloween Harvest of Orchids Show sponsored by the Honolulu Orchid Society Inc. 2-9 p.m. Oct. 11; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 12 and 13; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 14 Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall Free

The genus Dracula is native to the area from Mexico down to Peru. They are primarily high-elevation rain forest plants. This means they like cool night temperatures and very high humidity. Draculas have a pendant flower (that is, one that drapes down from the stem) and are probably pollinated in the wild by a fly. The labellum (lip of the flower) mimics fungi and in doing so, attracts its pollinator, probably a fly. Most Draculas are brown or blackish in color.

Probably the most famous of the Draculas is Drac. vampira '"Bella Lugosi'"FCC/AOS 92pts. (I'm not kidding, that is the cultivar name). Other species include Drac. bella, Drac. vlad-tepis, Drac. chimera. While these are cool-growing, there are a few warmth-tolerant species such as Drac. tubeana, Drac.carderi, Drac. cordobae and Drac. pusilla. This last is probably the easiest to grow in lower elevations, however the flowers are not very impressive. They are about pea-sized. There have been a few Dracula hybrids made over the years such as Drac. Phantom '"Darth Vader" (created by crossing vampira with tubeana) — orchid people do have a warped sense of humor at times.

As you can see from the following excerpt from an article on Dracula culture, it is not a plant for beginners. The experts advise that those who live at sea level (most of us) stay away from Drac. vampira and similar species as they will not survive the summers at the lower elevations. Again, Dracula pusilla is a good species to start with, although the flowers are not very impressive.

The following is excerpted from the December 1996 issue of Orchids magazine:

"Draculas are typically small plants, which makes them suitable for growing in a Wardian case (a sort of glass aquarium that provides high humidity) and under lights. Their cultural needs are similar to those prescribed for masdevallias and other pleurothallids.

Provide low light levels for this group. Most growers maintain light levels suitable for phalaenopsis (the moth or butterfly orchid) and paphiopedilum (1,000 to 1,500 foot-candles). Plants grow well under four-tube fluorescent light fixtures, and can be summered outside in shade.

Keep temperatures cool to intermediate; high temperatures are not suitable. Cool evenings help reduce heat stress during the day. Keep night temperatures at 50 to 55 and day temperatures 60 to 75 degrees. Evaporative cooling pads or humidifiers are beneficial.

Because draculas have minimal water-storage tissue, regular applications of water are critical. Allow roots to become just dry before watering again; if drainage is adequate, constantly moist roots are fine.

Provide 60 to 80 percent humidity for draculas. In the greenhouse, wet down the floor or mist plants to increase humidity.

In the home, mist plants or place containers on trays filled with pebbles and water. If plants are outside, place automatic misters under the benches.

Apply fertilizer regularly while plants are actively growing. Formulas like 30-10-10 applied twice a month are ideal for in a bark-based medium. A 20-20-20-type fertilizer may be used for plants in other media.

Pot during a cool period of the year. Choose a slat basket or mesh basket for species with pendent inflorescences. A fine-grade potting medium (tree-fern fiber) is used in plastic containers. Sphagnum moss is also acceptable. Choose a container with drain holes and firm the mix around the plant's roots. Keep humidity high and the potting mix slightly dry until new roots form."

If you still want to grow orchids like these, but are afraid to try a Dracula, you may want to start with a Restrepia or Pleurothallis species, which are "cousins" of Dracula. They are not as impressive but are much easer to grow, and will tolerate our warm temperatures better.

Of course, you don't have to grow them; you can just come and admire them and the many wonderful and colorful orchids in myriads of species, hybrids colors and forms at the upcoming show. Orchid shows are a great way to network and learn from the experts in the field.

The show at which Dracula plants will be featured is the 62nd Annual Show of the Honolulu Orchid Society Inc., which is one of the oldest and largest orchid shows in the state of Hawai'i. The organization was incorporated in 1950 as a non-profit scientific and horticultural organization promoting the propagation of orchids of all kinds. With more than 500 members throughout Hawai'i and the Mainland, they are the largest orchid society in our state.

The theme of this year's show combines the fall harvest season with the Halloween holiday to create a wide variety of interpretations by the participating clubs. In addition to the floral displays created by the various orchid clubs, there will be displays by commercial orchid growers, Ikebana International, Paradise Bonsai Club, the Garden Club of America and the Honolulu Aquarium Society.

There will be a daily series of lectures and demonstrations by various experienced growers on general orchid culture and the care of specific orchid genera as well as demonstrations by guest exhibitors such as Ikebana International, Nalo Farms, Paradise Bonsai Club, and Honolulu Aquarium Society on their various areas of expertise. Dennis Kim will also speak on Native Hawaiian plants.

In the sales area, there will be a variety of orchids, of course, but also anthuriums, native Hawaiian plants, bromeliads, herbs and many other household and exotic plants. (Sales close one hour prior to the end of the show on Sunday.) Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be available to answer questions regarding the shipping of plants to Mainland destinations.