Drymonia variegata

Drymonia variegata is an attractive, vining plant that I enjoyed growing the plant many years ago and was excited to acquire a small plant last spring. I restarted that plant with a small cutting, which quickly rooted. 

The species is native to Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. It is found on wet environments. I grow it in long-fiber sphagnum moss, enclosed in an aquarium / terrarium, under a shaded LED bulb. It is joined there by other humidity-loving plants such as Neomortonia rosea, Nautilocalyx pemphidius, Nautilocalyx pictus 'Jade'.

Drymonia variegata

The dark green foliage with silver "pine tree" markings makes for a stunning display on their own. I don't recall ever blooming Drymonia variegata in the past. I was surprised when I noticed a bud on the plant a month ago. Watching it intensely didn't seem to speed up the opening! As luck would have it, I was out of town for the weekend when the first bloom opened. Fortunately, my wife grabbed a few pictures for me. The bloom opened on a Saturday and dropped off by Monday. The fringed, creamy yellow blooms with red markings are stunning. There are a few more buds showing color now so I'll get to see it in person soon.

Drymonia variegata

I would like to set seed on the blooms to see the display fruit the Drymonia are known for. The single stem is beginning to branch now as well. It's starting to climb over other plants in the terrarium. I was told by another grower that his plant lost the silver variegation after blooming, then withered and died. I will grab a few cuttings to root, hopefully that will provide a backup if this prediction holds.