The Fire Star orchid has proven to be one of the easiest and most tolerant orchids I grow, capable of growing terrestrially or epiphytically and in fairly dry to rather wet (if aerated) low-nutrient soils. This Latin American plant produces long stems up to 3 feet in height, with folded lanceolate leaves of a rather thick almost succulent texture along their length, and white grasping roots as well to allow them to brace or clamber up against nearby trees or shrubs (though in full sun they may remain self-supporting, if shorter). The tips of these stalks eventually bear a lengthening spike of many, many sequentially opening fiery red and yellow blooms, the yellow and red-spotted lower petal the most frilly and complex and framed by the simpler scarlet upper petals. Easily propagated, any section of stem can simply be chopped and laid on moist soil to wait for new roots and buds to appear.
Available plants are newly rooted and budded cuttings, with new growth between 1-4 inches tall.