Distribution and Natural Habitat
O. crispum is found in the montane forest of Colombia, at altitudes of between 6,000 feet (1,800 m) and 10,000 feet (3,000 m), including in the eastern Cordillera in the departments of Cundinamarca and Boyacá and in the Andes of southern Colombia in the departments of Cauca, Putumayato and Nariño.
The plants grow as epiphytes in clearings and along forest edges. They grow chiefly on the trunks and main branches of oak trees in partial shade and occasionally full sun.
Throughout the year, days average 66–70°F and nights average 50–53°F, with a diurnal range of 14–19°F. Rainfall is light to moderate throughout the year, but there is no actual dry season. In addition, more moisture is available from heavy dew and mist. Humidity is 70–75% throughout the year.
O. crispum comes in an array of shapes, colours, and shades, from pure white to flush pink. The variability of the flower is associated with discrete areas; in the Pacho area (30 miles north of Bogota) are found the finest varieties, full round pure white and spotted flowers with broad overlapping sepals and petals; in the Vélez area (further north) the flowers are similar but shaded rose; south of Bogota, in the Fusagasugá region (25 miles south of Bogota), the white mauve tinted stellate flowers; while in Nariño, the O. crispum var. Lehmannii is found which bears up to 80 small flowers on a branched inflorescence.
Read more about this topic: Odontoglossum Crispum
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