The genus Dracula belongs to the tribe Epidendreae, subtribe Pleurothalidinae, being described by Carlyle August Luer in 1978, who named this genus after the Latin word for dragon (draco), referring to the bizarre appearance of the flowers. Luer (August 23, 1922 – November 9, 2019) was an American botanist specialized in the Orchidaceae family, with a special interest in Pleurothallidinae (genus Pleurothallis) and species of related genera. He was senior curator of the Missouri Botanical Garden, publishing numerous articles and two volume works on orchid taxonomy.
Among the popular names attributed to the representatives of the genus are: vampire orchids, monkey orchids, dragon orchids.
The species of the genus Dracula appear as plants with variable sizes, from a few centimeters in height to medium stature, standing out through flowers with an impressive appearance in shape and color. Previously, before the systematic classification made by Luer, which included the species of the genus Dracula in a separate group, they belonged to the genus Masdevallia, to which they are related and resemble in many ways. Currently, over 90 species belonging to this genus are known, most with a Central American distribution, in the humid forests of Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador.
Species of the genus Dracula have short stems, with creeping, erect rhizomes, on which single leaves with a fragile texture are inserted, distinguished by a prominent central vein. The single flowers themselves, on long stems, pendulous to erect-pendulous, impress with their special coloration and strong contrasts, which highlight the strange anatomy of the corolla. Although the flowers are single, the flower stems tend to produce flowers successively, sometimes even 5 – 6 for the same inflorescence.
The most striking aspect of the floral anatomy is represented by the presence of long, filiform appendages at the terminal end of the 3 sepals. In the basal area, the short petals have granulations that suggest a pair of eyes, the mask-like appearance being completed by the presence of the column, which appears as a nose. Dracula species enjoy many admirers, with a large number of species and hybrids currently in cultivation, the most appreciated being Dracula vampira, Dracula chimaera, Dracula bella, Dracula gorgona, and Dracula simia. The World List of Monocotyledons currently includes 124 accepted taxa, among which are 2 natural hybrids.
From the point of view of growth conditions, species of the genus Dracula will prefer temperatures that belong more to the cool range, which can rise to the intermediate range, since at high temperatures, the plants tend to dry out quickly. As an average thermal value, daytime temperatures will be in the range of 18 – 25 degrees Celsius. Nighttime values can drop to 12 – 14 degrees Celsius. The presence of higher temperatures can be compensated by more abundant watering and by administering frequent sprays. The species do not tolerate wide thermal fluctuations very well, which is why it is important that the temperature at the leaf level remains as constant as possible.
The values of light radiation are situated in the moderate light zone, with 60% shading, protected from the direct action of the sun's rays, ideally with an eastern or southern exposure. The absence of adequate light radiation values can slow down the flowering process, at which point it is recommended to expose the plants to more intense light. The appearance of brown or yellow spots on the leaves may indicate the presence of sunburn, which can eventually lead to the loss of the plants if intervention is not made by placing them in more shaded locations. As a general rule, the light radiation values for species of the genus Dracula are similar to those for the genus Phalaenopsis, namely 10000 – 18000 lux.
Complete drying of the substrate will never be allowed in the case of species of the genus Dracula, as the plants can perish in the absence of water within a few hours. Overwatering is not an impediment affecting species of the genus Dracula; it is possible to water every morning to allow the plants to absorb and metabolize it during the day, the essential condition being the presence of light. Water will be applied until it is observed draining through the lower holes of the pot, or by soaking until no more emerging air bubbles are visible.
Relative humidity will be kept high, with values between 70% and 100%.
Fertilizers will be applied diluted, at 25 – 50% of the concentration indicated on the packaging. Frequent soaking of pots with the growing medium will be done to eliminate possible salt deposits, as species of the genus Dracula are extremely susceptible to mineral accumulations.
Cultivation will be done in baskets or pots with many large perforations, or pots with bars, and sphagnum moss can be successfully used as a medium, either alone or mixed with perlite and coconut fibers. An alternative can be planting on bark plaques, hardwood, or cork, wrapped in mesh, with an addition of sphagnum moss, but this method will require much more abundant and frequent watering to compensate for the much faster evaporation of water. The growing medium can be changed every 2 years, early spring, to allow the plants to stabilize by early summer.
Dracula species do not require variations in growing conditions or rest periods; the cultivation scheme can be the same throughout the year.
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