In my book Bizarre Botanicals........... they have a Medusa orchid in the orchid section. Did anyone ever try growng these? The book gave it a 3 rating, 1 is easy 2 is medium 3 is hard to grow. Should I stick to Moth Orchids?

Which one, Habenaria medusa or Bulbophyllum medusae?

I'm not sure I'd have to check the book, didnt know they were two types- growing info on both would be nice.

I just looked up medusa on OrchidWiz and there must be twenty of them around. They include:
Cyrtogramcymbidium [Cgc.] Jumbo Medusae
Cattleya [C.] Medusa
Cymbidium [Cym.] Medusa
Dendrobium [Den.] Medusa
Masdevallia [Masd.] medusa
Paphiopedilum [Paph.] Medusa
Nanodes [Na.] medusa This is an Epidendrum

And the list goes on. Ursula did mention the two most popular and here are their photos:
Bulbophyllum medusa


Habenaria medusa


I have found Bulbophyllum medusa hard to grow. It seems to sit there and pout for months at a time and only bloom every 3 or 4 years.
Habenaria medusa is easier for me but remember it is a terrestrial orchid that goes dormant in the winter.

Jim

Oh well glad too have talked. Guess i'll stick to moth orchids

Oh my ... I really gotta get me one of the Habenaria medusa. Anyone know of a source?

As for a source of Habenaria medusa orchids, I would recommend anywhere except Andy's. I can get them in spike in the spring at my local orchid club for about $20.00. Send me an April reminder, Anne, and I will send one to you.

Jim

Awesome and thanks!

thanks Jim!!
So many different medusas, I had no idea!
Regarding the Bulbphyllum medusa, I find them very susceptible to black rot, especially right after blooming. Some years ago I had one blooming for me in most wonderful fashion, only to DIMP spectacularly right after that. One by one every growth turned to mush on me. It looked to me like the plant bloomed and then was simply done.
I still have two small plants, once in a while they actually produce a good growth to bloom. I don't know why I still try to grow them. Good compost!

The December, 2014 AOS "Orchids" magazine has an Epidendrum medusa shown. The caption states that it is exclusive to cool and wet mountain cloud forests of Ecuador and that its bizarre flowers inspired its namesake, Medusa.

Maybe thats the one I was refering too.

There are lots of orchids nicknamed "Medusa", but this is apparently the "true" one.

It likes low light, wet conditions and cool temps. There is no way I could grow it here. I don't know what you mean by the "true" one. It is certainly not the most popular.

Jim

Ask the AOS author, Jim. That's just what the article stated. I have never even seen one of these, much less know anything about them.