A miniature from the Andean cloud forests with a striking epiphyllous habit: its flower emerges directly from the surface of a broad, cordate leaf. The hooded dorsal sepal, spreading lateral sepals with slender tails, and a pendant ventral synsepal form a silhouette unmistakably reminiscent of a crab's claw — the origin of its evocative name.
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Light: Bright indirect light with 50–65% shade cloth; avoid direct sun, which can scorch the broad, soft leaf surface.
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Temperature: 50–68°F (10–20°C); a Cool to Intermediate grower with a minimum tolerance around 46°F (8°C). Cool nights promote consistent blooming.
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Humidity: 75–90%; maintain consistently high humidity — a humidifier or enclosed greenhouse environment is strongly recommended.
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Watering: Keep the medium evenly moist; never allow to dry out completely, but ensure excellent drainage to prevent root rot.
Additional Notes
Best grown in a small pot with a fine, moisture-retentive mix (sphagnum or fine bark with perlite). Plants are shipped bare root and well-established, grown at Ecuagenera's cloud forest nursery in Ecuador.