Congrats Scott! What kind of conditions you growing him? I think mine is starting spikes. Its really Masde -like :-)

Clara

Thanks, Clara!
This is the same one that bloomed last April.
It's tried a few other times, but failed.
I think that the blooms are smaller this go around.

This is in my standard Pleuro mixture of LECA mixed with a lot of high quality sphag. Just sits in water that drys out infrequently.
(You know, it seems like all of my healthiest ones are actually first mounted on treefern and then put into the mixture.
I might start mounting the ones that haven't come that way and see what may come of it!)
I keep it cool, but it took more sun/heat this summer than I thought that it would.
Hence, the ugly plant issue!;~)

You know, Clara...
There was some talk the last time, that it might be a Dracula mantissa.
Looking at the current bloom and photo at draculaspecies.com, I can't get over how little difference there is.
I haven't heard from some of the pro's yet, but ...

Here is a link that might be useful: Dracula mantissa

Gorgeous little guy
Olya

Scott- it does look like mantissa. I think you're right. Felix is fuzzy. Looks like Santa's cherry cheeks. Rounded and puffy. If it were mine, I'd call it mantissa..You always have the most eclectic plants. Always gorgeous.

I know what you mean by "F-ugly" Dracs. There is almost no way around growing it hard. Ehh could be worse... Rather have a slightly to moderately singed plant and have blooms than perfect vegitation :-) They are my private little pets so no one sees them but me. Had some out this summer. I don't think it makes a difference. I am going to get heat either way.

You did right by me with masde's in s/h a long while back. I may try a drac. Worried about the blooms though. Mine bloom from below a lot. How does that work out with s/h?

Clara

I think dracs are among the coolest of the orchids. A shame I can't grow one no matter what I do!

Sharon

Well...as I've never seen Santa nekkid, I can't comment!
If his cheeks are that red...he's been very naughty! ;~)
As far as, gorgeous plants...
I just don't show anyone all my ugly ones.
If I did, I'd actually post more, but my reputation would suffer!! ;~)

Actually, my best looking one is my Dracula vampira 'Zorba'.
It's grown pretty traditionally, in a hanging basket with NZ sphagnum.
The leaves are still spotty, but it's huge and grows like crazy.
I'm hoping for blooms eventually!

If I can ever get an area exclusively for my cool growers, I might change them all over to something else.
Most of what I do, with anything, is an attempt to grow in less than perfect conditions and time constrained care.
My orchids that bloom from below(Dracs, Stans/Cories, etc) are planted high up in the media.
I can keep an eye out for spikes and sometimes guide them into a better position early on.
Many methods were intended to be temporary, but have had to work for several years.
By and by, I guess!
Thanks for the complements, everyone!

Sharon, I'm not sure, but don't your winter temps get rather low?
I would think that you get colder than I do.
Put them in the coolest room you have, provide good light, very good water and lots of air circulation.
Keep an eye out for very quick drying out.
That's my biggest issue and has led to more losses than anything else.
You'll be surprising us all with blooms! :~)