Sobralia

Sobralia Ruiz & Pav. 1794

Type Species: Sobralia dichotoma Ruiz & Pav. 1798

Tribe: ARETHUSEAE

Subtribe: SOBRALIINAE

Pronunciation: so-bra-le-ah

Temperature: edit here

Country: Central and South America

Sobralia is a genus of between 100 to 125 species which are mostly terrestrial but occasionally epiphytic. The plants develop long, cane or reed-like stems which have very attractive veined leaves along its length.The one to two, often large, showy flowers are bourne on short terminal racemes, are sometimes fragrant and unfortunately usually only last a few days. The flowers range in color from white to yellow, green, pink, purple, red, brown, and even a blue violet.

Plants can easily be grown in a good, sheltered garden location or in pots in a normal orchidhouse. They are best kept in smaller than normal pots (look potbound) to encourage better flowering. Water and fertlize heavily when in active growth but give them a drier rest when they slow down in cooler months.