Hermetospheres

Very little is known about the orchid Restepia cymbula. According to C.A. Luer (1996), who described the species in the Icones Pleurothallidarium, its presumptive discoverer was Mario Portilla, later co-founder of the famous nursery Ecuagenera Cia. Ltda. Luer writes: “This little species without collection data was obtained in 1992 by Colomborquideas Ltd. above Medellin, Colombia, from Mario Portilla in Ecuador. Unfortunately, the only plant known was lost in cultivation in 1996. Restrepia cymbula is easily recognized by the small habit and a small flower with a boat-shaped, red-spotted synsepal.” and choses its name from the Latin cymbula, “a small boat”. Obviously, the plant found its way back into cultivation, but no record could be found of a known natural location.

Ecuador has an incredible variety of miniature orchids, many of which are propagated in culture. This is due in part to the work of Ecuagenera in protecting, growing and marketing Ecuadorian species of ornamental plants. The family-owned company aim at establishing a sustainable management of the Ecuadorian natural resources thanks to the preservation and conservation of orchid species (Beattie_2004, Christenson 2004).

As a component of the hermetosphere dedicated to Ecuador, the plant was chosen because experienced collectors describe very high humidity and higher temperatures (compared to other Restrepia species) as ideal culture conditions. And, of course, because of the small size and beautiful flowers. The jar was started on 16.01.2023, and 12 weeks later the first flower buds appeared. After a few days the first flower opened.

Two days later with the second flower opened.

Twelfe weeks are not nearly enough to rate the experiment to grow R. cymbula in a hermetosphere as successful, but the first signs are encouraging. The full set-up of the jar can be seen below.

P.S. An expert on miniature orchids has suggested an alternate identification for the orchid, Restrepia mohrii, based on the photographs shown above. I am not qualified to make a definitive identification. When I compare the drawings and descriptions of Luer (1996, see below), the shape of the lip (“conspicuously incised at the apex”) speaks more for R. cymbula. Form your own opinion: