One of the more striking members of the genus, this species captivates with boldly patterned flowers whose fused sepals form a broad, open tube adorned with contrasting spots or streaks and tapering tails, carried on erect single-flowered inflorescences that bloom successively through the year.

• Light: Grow under 50–70% shade cloth; avoid any direct sun exposure, which quickly scorches the foliage.
• Temperature: Cool grower. Daytime 57–68°F (14–20°C), nights 45–54°F (7–12°C). A pronounced day-night differential is essential for sustained health and flowering.
• Humidity: Requires 75–90% relative humidity; humidity trays, a humidifier, or terrarium culture combined with good air circulation work well.
• Watering: Keep evenly and consistently moist; mounted plants need more frequent watering than potted ones, with a modest reduction during the coolest months.

Additional Notes

Native to Ecuador and Peru at elevations of 2,500–2,700 meters in cool, cloud-forest habitats. Best grown in small pots with fine bark or sphagnum moss, or mounted on cork bark or tree fern to suit its fine root system.