The following article was written for the Orchid Species Bulletin published by the Orchid Species Society, which is based in Brisbane, Queensland in November 2001.

Bear in mind that any cultivation notes refer to the sub-tropical conditions of Southern Queensland, Australia.

Gongora truncata Lindl. is a variable and often seen species in cultivation. Two colour variants were shown at the October meeting.  John Lindley described it in the Botanical Register in 1843.  Lindley gave it the specific epithet from the Latin truncatus (truncate) for the lip, which looks to have been cut straight across.

Gga. truncata has clustered ovoid to oblong-ovoid, olive-green pseudobulbs that are 4.5-8 cm high and 3-3.5 cm diameter.  They are only slightly ridged with rounded rather than angular ridges.  At the apex of each pseudobulb are two, rarely three, pale green leaves.  The pleated leaves are up to 22-45 cm long and 4.5-8 cm broad.  Pendulous lateral inflorescences that are up to 30-60 cm long carry 10-20 flowers  that are well spaced along the rachis.  Its dorsal sepal is white to beige or flesh-coloured with irregular dark red to purple-brown speckles, while the lateral sepals are white with the lower half speckled dark red to purple-brown.  Pure white with yellow hypochile folds, the waxy lip may vary to pure light yellow.  Sometimes the lip may be obscurely marked with purple-brown.  The petals and column have a light base colour that is finely speckled dark red.  The flowers are highly fragrant during the day and last for about 14 days.

A species of low altitudes between 150-950 m elevation, Gga. truncata is distributed in Central America from Mexico (Veracruz , Chiapas), Belize and Honduras.  In Belize it grows in moist broad-leaved forest.  Our cold Brisbane winters will cause black spotting on the leaves of this species.  This does not seem to affect the general health of the plant, however the appearance of the leaves is unsightly.  I would recommend heated conditions or a minimum of 15 ^oC.  Gga. truncata seems to grow well in pots or baskets using a well-drained, yet moisture retentive medium.  Provide it with 70-80% shade, plenty of air circulation and high humidity during the warmer months.  In addition, plenty of water and fertiliser can be given to produce large pseudobulbs.  Stop fertilising as the weather cools in autumn and reduce watering.  Ensure that the leaves are dry at night in winter by watering in the morning on sunny days.