Jim, bet you'd probably have good luck with Paphs under a shady overhang in your new set up. Congrats on your new 'chids. Fred Clarke is a great grower. I thought I read a culture sheet on line written by him on these orchids several years ago. Maybe it's something someone passed on to me.
Thanks, Pinetop, about the Encyc. polybulbon. As for Bulbo medusae...her flowers are done for and due for beheading. I had three flowers and Medusa was, as the story goes, one of three sisters. Hmm. Can't wait to see your Cycnoches flowers. Mine is just now going.
January Orchids Part II
Laurel, I've been thinking about that. I have better control over the temperature swings and light and total control over the water. I'm still a bit leery but one or two might be worth a shot.
I may be escorting Elaine and perhaps others on an Apopka run in a couple of weeks. Any chance you could join us?
Jim
Oh dang, Jim! I'll have to pass on this trip though I'd love to participate in a frenzy with you and the girls. I'm co-chairing the Atlanta Orchid Society March show this year and am getting more busy. I'm hoping to arrange my calendar to revisit the Redland show this year (May).
So many beautiful things posted!! I've taken a few snapshots, and I'll share before my day turns into the usual whirlwind.
This is Dendrobium Berry. Everytime I think it's near full-bloom, I see more spikes coming up - with over 10 now. The whole plant...
Here's a close-up of the small flowers. Dendrobium Berry is D. kingianum x D. Mini Pearl...
These terrestrials are blooming later than usual this year. And I only have 1 spike between 2 huge plants. I'm not sure what caused the 'hiccup' this year, because they usually spike like crazy. Phaius tankervillae...
Here's a favorite. The blooms are darker and deeper in color this go 'round...apparently from being grown in the cool basement. This one speaks to the quality of good genes. Three of its four "grandparents" are B. nodosa, C. walkeriana, and L. purpurata. You just can't go wrong with that lineage. Fantastic fragrance!
Blc Ann Morning 'Paradise'...
Wow! Ann Morning certainly has her papers in order. Good form and color. Interesting color difference in the two photos of D. Berry. Which one is closer to the truth? That mauve color must drive all photographers crazy. Very nice Phaius, I love it.
Jim
So true, Jim! The purple color on that Dendrobium (1st photo) is the closest. When the plant gets big enough to divide, I'll pass along Blc. Ann Morning. She's right up your alley, especially given your success with L. purpurata. That single stem has 2 more flowers facing the opposite direction.
Someone may be correcting my spelling of Phaius tankervillae. I can never remember exactly.
Glad I took some pictures. I found scale again. Ho-hum...
Scott, those are all beautiful, but I am especially liking the Phaius. I have one in spike that I hope will open soon.
Here's a pic of my white Cymbidium that finally has most of its flowers sort of open. Those white flowers are so hard to photograph - they all do have lovely yellow markings in the throats. I think I've been overwatering it, and it's been maybe cooler than the greenhouse it was living in before, so that slowed it down, too. You can see my little 'mystery' Brassavola at left is turning more peachy orange each day.
And a shot of my new family of orphans, bought from the grower down the street who is selling out. For seven bucks apiece, I think I have some treasures! Especially excited about Lc. Goldbrad with 3 bloom spikes, Enc. alata X alata Early Bird with a nice spike, and a lovely bushy little start of Den. Andree Millar. Good thing I've collected all those palm boots for mounts! Going to be really busy mounting all these - just prying them out of their tiny plastic pots is an exercise.
Scott, Blc Ann Morning 'Paradise' is absolutely beautiful. I am going to be on the lookout for it. Just stunning. Re: Dendrobium Berry, I've never seen a plant that big! I hope my 'Eima White' (that's what the tag says, 'though I've seen plants labelled 'Emma White') gets as big. Her buds are finally opening, looking more green at the moment.
dyzzypyxxy, the white cym looks great! Yes, it's sometimes hard to get that yellow coloring, especially if you are using a flash.
I am thrilled at the opening of Blc. Burdekin Wonder 'Lake Land' AM/AOS. Two buds opened simultaneously. Frills to end all frills and nice, fresh fragrance as well. I love white flowers and this is one beaut!
Another shot of Blc. Burdekin Wonder 'Lake Land' AM/AOS. Just open a couple of days. Looking forward to seeing how it develops.
Scott, your Berry is beautiful! Jim gave me a Den. kingianum that is in spike now. As for Phaius, I admire any blooms. I've had terrible results with Phaius in recent years.
Elaine, Cyms like to dry out, especially in winter. You are going to love the flower rewards from Andree Millar. Mine has been blooming for several months now. What a great hall! Encyclia alata is one of my fav Encyclias.
Pinetop, it is Den. Emma White, a very nice nobile.
Thanks, Maypop! I will change the tag.
Finally getting to post a photo of one of my apartment windows. Faces east. Recently put up compact 32 watt/65K bulbs on either side of the window, clamped to the curtain rod arms. The flowers definitely improve the view!
That looks great, Pinetop! You've got a lot in bloom. Beautiful Blc. Burdiken. Bet there are a few Catt lovers that will add that one to their wish list.
Thanks, Maypop! It's a challenge without a greenhouse or outdoor growing, but how rewarding this all is, no?
Phal photos coming soon . . .
Gardening in general and orchids in particular take a curious mind. The question of how rewarding it is is a conundrum for sure. A bout of bugs or disease is sometimes enough to make me want to throw up my hands and quit.
That looks really nice, Pinetop. You are making great use of the space you have and your orchids look happy.
Jim
I've found that the hardest part of growing indoors is quitting before you run out of room...
Now for the latest addition to my family: Schomburgkia (Myrmecophila) tibicinis. I mounted it yesterday on a slab of cypress.
Jim
A detailed look at the mount:
Jim
Then there is the little Epc. Rene Marques 'Tyler' :
Jim
Wow, they gave you a nice big piece of that plant, Jim.
My little noid Brassie is looking more and more like Yellow Bird. Petals all a nice warm orange now. They were distinctly rosy pink when it first opened.
The wind slowed briefly this afternoon, so I got some pics of what's open here. I've had this NOID green/yellow Cym for about 35 years
an out of focus pic of the whole plant with an Epi sneaking in to the pic.
On the other end of the porch two more NOID Cyms.
The pink/white
My old reliable , a bit smaller flower has been in the family for 50+ years, and devided many, many times. This one isn't at all fussy
In the middle of the porch is Zygo. redvale 'Fire Kiss'. This is the third time it's bloomed in the last year so the flowers are small. I think it needs a rest!
In the orchid shack- in- the -back Lc love passion 'Dogashima' x Pot. rubescence SVO
You're doing much better than you let on, Carol. Those Cyms are big and healthy and the flowers are beautiful. I really like the color of Fire Kiss and three blooming cycles in a year is great. Nice orange on the Love Passion cross. Good growing, Carol!
I'd love to find the name of that Brassavola, Elaine. I'm still looking.
Jim
CAROL they are all pretty but my favorites are your 50 yr. old Cym. Just gorgeous...
Jim, you'll have quite a nice mounted specimen there !
Elaine, I still love your little noid Brassie..too cute ! Hope Jim finds the name.
This message was edited Jan 29, 2012 8:42 AM
Carol, I love the orange hybrid! And you're SO right - about limiting your collection before running out of room. I really should thin-out my collection this year...or start charging them room-and-board.
Jim, I didn't realize how thick the pseudobulbs are on Schom's. Very neatly mounted. Doesn't it feel great when you can hang something from the rafters, and just let it "do its thing?" I think your new space this year is proving itself the perfect little micro-climate for your 'chids.
Elaine, you're right about that flower having the shape of Yellow Bird. If that's what it turns out to be, that's a vigorously growing hybrid that will offer lots of enjoyment. I have plenty of orchids whose colors either fade, intensify, or downright change hue as they age.
Pinetop, that's a beautiful white catt! Nicely ruffled lip. Your setup is obviously happy...like Jim said...and that's what matters. By the way - that Dendrobium Berry is an Australian hybrid...a little smaller than your phal-type Dendrobium, both the plant and the flowers. Remember I told you I wasn't crazy about the fragrance? The whole house smells that way now...with 68 flowers and counting. It's a shame it doesn't smell like a big, pleasant cattleya! :o) I do have some phal-types (like yours) that have gotten really large over a few years. They love light, and grow like weeds when they get enough of it. For me, they bloom more reliably than any other orchids. Here's a size comparison between a phal-type dendrobium and that D. kingianum hybrid (Berry). The little guy is way more mature...you can see it has 2-3 times as many pseudobulbs. I just bought it recently, and can't wait to get it out of that plastic pot.
I'm rambling. But it's just a beautiful weekend here! All the best...
Speaking of that delicious Catt fragrance, my "queen of floof" Chia Lin has been out in the pool cage overnight this past week while the temps were warm.
Guess who loves the yummy spice-cookie smell? I had a family of raccoons - mama and 3 young'uns come in through the cat door. They generally don't come in any more, since I leave water out in the yard for them when it's dry. But if there's something inside that smells like food . . .
So Chia Lin now is displayed on the front hall table until her flowers are finished. Double benefit as there is a mirror above the table. Going on 3 weeks for those gorgeous flowers now, too.
Such beautiful Chia Lin twins, Elaine! What a nice red...
Your Chia Lin is fantastic!
Elaine that's gorgeous !! I'd keep it from the raccoons too !
Here's a noid Cat I just got...the tag was lost at the nursery and it was the only one they had so I got a great deal on it.
I've nicknamed it noid Cat Raspberry Red on my tag for now.
