Coryanthes alborosea - 'Bucket Orchid'
('Purple Bat' x sib)
This item is currently sold out — but we can let you know when it’s back!
Often referred to as the "Bucket Orchid," this fascinating species has one of the most unique pollination strategies in the orchid world. The flowers produce a fragrant liquid that drips into the bucket-shaped lip, causing visiting bees to fall in. Unable to fly, the bees must crawl through a designated exit, where they pick up or deposit pollen before escaping. The flowers emit a sweet fragrance that attracts their pollinators from afar.
Native to Peru and found at elevations of around 100 meters, this is a warm-growing species. There are two color forms of Coryanthes alborosea, and this offering is the red-spotted variety. This variety most commonly flowers in the summer time. Specimens can bloom multiple times throughout the summer. We expect this batch to flower the summer of 2026.
Unlike Stanhopea, these plants do not require basket culture. The flower spikes emerge near the top of the pot and gracefully cascade over the sides. We grow ours in 5.5-inch pots using sphagnum moss.
It is normal for Coryanthes foliage to display cosmetic imperfections such as spots, dings, yellow markings, and other blemishes. The plant photo shown represents the average quality you can expect to receive.
A truly fascinating orchid with some of the most remarkable flowers in the plant kingdom.
