Dracula Transylvania 'Kingsley'

Botanical Profile

• Origin: This is a cultivated hybrid, not found in the wild. Its parent species hail from the cool, misty cloud forests of Central and South America, particularly regions like Colombia and Ecuador.
• Leaves: Expect attractive, typically thin and somewhat pleated (plicate) leaves, characteristic of the genus. They grow in delightful clumps (caespitose) and are usually a lush green. Healthy leaves should feel cool to the touch.
• Flowers: As a hybrid likely involving dramatic parent species, anticipate truly spectacular flowers. Expect long 'tails' on the sepals and complex shapes. Colours often tend towards deep reds, purples, or browns, though specific colouration depends on the exact parentage of this cross and the 'Kingsley' selection. Inflorescences are frequently pendulous (hanging downwards) and may produce flowers sequentially over time. (Detailed description/colour for the 'Kingsley' clone requires observation).
• Growth Habit: A wonderful epiphytic orchid, growing in tufts from a compact rhizome. It lacks pseudobulbs for water storage. The downward-growing flower spikes make hanging baskets an excellent presentation choice.

Care Notes

• Light: Requires deep shade or low to moderate indirect light levels. Shield it completely from direct sunlight.
• Water: Maintain consistent moisture – the growing medium should remain damp but never soggy. Frequent watering with high-quality, low-mineral water (rainwater, distilled, or reverse osmosis) is crucial. Ensure superb drainage.
• Humidity: Extremely high humidity (75-80% or higher) is essential for health and flowering. Provide excellent air circulation, especially at high humidity levels, to prevent fungal problems.
• Temperature: A cool to intermediate grower is essential. Aim for daytime temperatures ideally below 24°C (75°F), dropping significantly at night into the low teens °C (low 50s°F). Consistent cool temperatures are key.
• Fertiliser: Feed very infrequently and weakly. Use a balanced orchid fertiliser diluted to quarter strength (or less) perhaps monthly during active growth. Flush the medium with pure water between feedings.
• Repotting: Repot annually or when the potting mix begins to break down, typically using mesh pots or baskets. A mix of sphagnum moss with fine bark or perlite provides both moisture retention and crucial aeration.

Extra Notes

• Growth Rate & Difficulty: Like most Draculas, this hybrid is considered challenging and demands specific environmental conditions. Not generally recommended for beginners. Growth rate tends to be slow to moderate.
• Unique Characteristics: Being a hybrid, 'Kingsley' might potentially possess slightly more vigour or adaptability than some parent species, but the fundamental cool, moist, humid, and shady requirements remain paramount.
• Cautions: Highly sensitive to heat stress, low humidity, and poor water quality (high mineral content). Ensuring the specific microclimate is the main challenge. As with most ornamentals, keep out of reach of pets.