Pleurothallis gargantua

A bold epiphyllous species from the Andean cloud forests, producing a solitary, oversized flower directly from the surface of a broad, lanceolate leaf. The large, domed dorsal sepal arches over a massive, densely velvety ventral synsepal of ovate-lanceolate form — a flower of commanding presence and unusual scale for the genus, true to its evocative name.

• Light: Bright indirect light with 50–65% shade cloth; avoid direct sun, which can scorch the broad leaf surface.
• 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.
• Humidity: 75–90%; maintain consistently high humidity — a humidifier or enclosed greenhouse environment is strongly recommended.
• 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.