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The genus Telipogon abbreviated as Tp. in horticultural trade, is a genus of around 150 species in the orchid family Orchidaceae, subfamily Epidendroideae, tribe Maxillarieae, subtribe Cyrtopodiinae.
Distribution[]
Plants are found in high montane cloud forest with lots of fog as twig epiphytes. They are distributed Costa Rica through the western areas of South America with the highest concentration in the Andes mountain range in Colombia.
Description[]
Plants are usually small in size. Flower are sometime the same size as the whole plant.
Culture[]
Plants are difficult to grow in cultivation because of their difficulty in establishment. They require shade and cool to intermediate temperatures depending on the species. Plants require high air circulation to prevent fungal rot and constant misting. Water twice a week during the winter and heavily mist during the summer. Plants can be grown in sphagnum moss but are usually mounted. When mounting keep the plant loose on the slab as they do not like their roots bounded. Keep humidity high.
Naming[]
The name is derived from the Greek words "telos" which means end or point and "pogon" "beard", referring to the hairs on the column of the flowers.
Synonyms[]
- Telopogon Spreng 1817
- Thelypogon Mutis ex Spreng 1826
Species[]
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References[]
- Peru Orchids (Spanish)
- Kraus, Linda and Gary. "Establishing Telepogons: An Exercise in Perserverance." American Orchid Society Bulletin Vol. 48 No. 2 February 1979: 121 - 123.