Isabelia pulchella  (Syn:Neolauchia pulchella) (Kraenzl.) C.Van den Berg & M.W.Chase.  by Michael Zink This quaint little miniature is endemic to the state of Parana, and down the  mountainous areas leading to the Rio Grande Do Sol in southern Brazil.It occurs at  moderate to high altitudes growing in oak forests as well as other native timbers of  this region, in my culture, I find it grows well on Callistemon viminalis (Bottlebrush)  although there is no reason to suggest that it would'nt do equally as well on other  species in the genus Callistemon, or other related genera, as I also have it growing on  a slab of bark from Eucalyptus leucoxylon var macrocarpa (pink flowering  Ironbark).The name Neolauchea was reduced to a synonym, and the species was  placed in the genus Isabelia (C.Van den Berg & M.W.Chase,Lindleyana16:109  (2001). Kraenzlin first described the species in 1897 as Neolauchia pulchella and the  plant was originally named in honour of Lauche,director of the Liechtenstein  Botanical Gardens. Its hairy pseudobulb and singular terete and coriaceous (leather  like) leaf, is a distinct feature of this plant .It can be somewhat difficult to establish  needing much care and attention for the first few months after division and  remounting.The species name of pulchella, translated into English means beautiful,  and in my opinion is well deserved, as a well grown plant is just that (if not more). It  is a creeping species, which enjoys plenty of room to move, so its best to pick a  mount large enough (almost to the point of looking ridiculous) to accommodate at  least 5 years growth.Plants enjoy abundant moisture all year round (three times per  week) and this only being withheld on the coldest of days. 50-80% shade is adequate  with any standard orchid fertilizer applied during the warmer months of the year ( in  Toowoomba from September through to May). (Continued)  Dendrobium bracteosum  Dendrobium canaliculatum Dendrobium hodgkinsonii Dendrobium ruckeri Dendrobium williamsonii Dimerandra buenaventurae Eria albidotomentosa Eria lobata Galeandra dives Hoffmannseggella fournieri Isabelia pulchella More Articles