Why not grow orchids?

[Tracy]

Only got one flower last year on my Epidendrum raniferum but got at least one nice inflorescence loaded with flowers this year.

 

[miamicuse]

[piping plovers]

Some orchids (and a few aroids mixed in) that caught my eye while visiting Ecuagenera in Apopka, FL last week.  They made alot of improvements to the greenhouse spaces since I visited last December.  The (new?) front greenhouse is public friendly and feels like a plant event space; they were preparing for a promotional event for the weekend.

 

 

Cattleya dominiana 

 

Brassolaeliocattleya Almakee x Catt. Aristocrat

 

Cattleya trianaei ´Michael 7A` x ´Sangre de Toro Dark Lip`

Bulbophyllum lobbii

Bulbophyllum tollenoniferum 

Coelogyne mayeriana

Cattleya intermedia x Cattleya quadricolor coerulea

Anthurium Livium

Cattleya Pheidenia 4N

 

huge new greenhouse full of orchids, appears new since my last visit in December 

[piping plovers]

On 1/11/2023 at 4:04 PM, piping plovers said:

Cattleya dowiana - clues on mature growth?

Hi all. My first year growing this species and I don’t want to kill it.  I know it requires a dry warm season after growth matures and I don’t want to get the culture wrong by watering when I should not be. Does this growth look mature and ready for the rest season? Should I wait until the papery sheath dries up? Trying to verify the clues to look for.

I don’t think it will bloom this season with no bud sheath. It did, however, grow indoors 3 or 4x larger than the previous growth with good flush of roots so I think my indoor lights were really effective thus far. Providing it with a warm to hot winter rest period will be a challenge in a Rhode Island winter especially with electric rates up 40% this year 😳 I do have heating mats and the lights add heat as well.

I finally got a sheath on my dowiana.  This summer in RI was very rainy and felt tropical.  Hoping it gets to the finish line with blooms.  Will keep you posted.

 

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, piping plovers said:

I finally got a sheath on my dowiana.  This summer in RI was very rainy and felt tropical.  Hoping it gets to the finish line with blooms.  Will keep you posted.

 

  🤞

[Tracy]

Brassocattleya "Sunny Delight" x "Richard Mueller", something from Sunset Valley Orchids from several years ago.

[SubTropicRay]

Here's my very fragrant Cattleya guttata var coerulea

[Tracy]

Laelia aneps season beginning in my garden with this ssp Guerrero blooming again.   I was a little disappointed to only have one flower spike on it.  Most other varieties have multiple spikes which will bear flowers in the coming weeks.

[Silas_Sancona]

Excellent Orchid - related read to start a new week  ..for those who like to learn about things, lol...

https://nautil.us/why-is-everything-an-orchid-424338/?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-us

[piping plovers]

8 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Excellent Orchid - related read to start a new week  ..for those who like to learn about things, lol...

https://nautil.us/why-is-everything-an-orchid-424338/?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-us

Fascinating article Nathan, thanks for sharing. So glad they included a photo of the Angraecum sesquipedale orchid. After mentioning how intriguing the shape was (and the story about Darwin); I was curious to know which orchid it was.

[tropicbreeze]

18 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Excellent Orchid - related read to start a new week  ..for those who like to learn about things, lol...

https://nautil.us/why-is-everything-an-orchid-424338/?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-us

I was intrigued by Angraecum sesquipedale many years ago, mainly I suppose because of he Darwin connection, and bought a small one not much more than a seedling. Unfortunately it struggled through our dry season. I thought since it was a lowland equatorial plant it should be okay here. But Madagascar is an island so humidity is always higher. After a few years the plant finally succumbed. That article reminded me of being fascinated by that story, and also of one of the many victims of my 'brown thumb'.

[Tracy]

Laelia albida var. sulphurea blooming.   This has been an inconsistent bloomer for me over the years but it is loaded with buds this year.

There is a pale blue variety of this rather than all white, but you have to select the plant when in bloom to know which you ate purchasing.   I would love to get the rare pale blue form someday. 

[Silas_Sancona]

15 hours ago, piping plovers said:

Fascinating article Nathan, thanks for sharing. So glad they included a photo of the Angraecum sesquipedale orchid. After mentioning how intriguing the shape was (and the story about Darwin); I was curious to know which orchid it was.

 

6 hours ago, tropicbreeze said:

I was intrigued by Angraecum sesquipedale many years ago, mainly I suppose because of he Darwin connection, and bought a small one not much more than a seedling. Unfortunately it struggled through our dry season. I thought since it was a lowland equatorial plant it should be okay here. But Madagascar is an island so humidity is always higher. After a few years the plant finally succumbed. That article reminded me of being fascinated by that story, and also of one of the many victims of my 'brown thumb'.

 ^ X 3 on being " hooked " by this particular Orchid ..obviously because of it's uniqueness, ..but also because of the hard evidence lesson it teaches about general evolution  ..How every plant ..has something else that evolved to utilize that plant's individual resources ..let alone how similar looking plants that are un related, evolved to occupy similar niches in similar habitats on different continents..

While they may not be " in situ " examples, being able to observe specimens of the best known species in person really brings home both admirable aspects mentioned above ...Especially when they are sitting near another fascinating group of Orchids that look quite similar, but are un-related, the Brassavolas..   ...and a distantly related genera that contains another captivating member with it's own fascinating story, Dendrophylax lindenii.   Angraecum, (  ...and  Dendrophylax ) belong to the Vanda  tribe, while Brassavola are a Cattleya  alliance family member.

Have wanted to try A. sesquipedale  also but highly doubt i could keep it happy, even indoors  here  ( ...Though i've seen pictures of AZ grown specimens, so it can be done )  Would also like to try any / all available species that originate from the western side of Madagascar, and mainland Eastern / Southern Africa as well..  I'd bet there is at least one or two sps that could survive -at least- half of the year outdoors in S. Cal. 

[Tracy]

8 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

 

 ^ X 3 on being " hooked " by this particular Orchid ..obviously because of it's uniqueness, ..but also because of the hard evidence lesson it teaches about general evolution  ..How every plant ..has something else that evolved to utilize that plant's individual resources ..let alone how similar looking plants that are un related, evolved to occupy similar niches in similar habitats on different continents..

While they may not be " in situ " examples, being able to observe specimens of the best known species in person really brings home both admirable aspects mentioned above ...Especially when they are sitting near another fascinating group of Orchids that look quite similar, but are un-related, the Brassavolas..   ...and a distantly related genera that contains another captivating member with it's own fascinating story, Dendrophylax lindenii.   Angraecum, (  ...and  Dendrophylax ) belong to the Vanda  tribe, while Brassavola are a Cattleya  alliance family member.

Have wanted to try A. sesquipedale  also but highly doubt i could keep it happy, even indoors  here  ( ...Though i've seen pictures of AZ grown specimens, so it can be done )  Would also like to try any / all available species that originate from the western side of Madagascar, and mainland Eastern / Southern Africa as well..  I'd bet there is at least one or two sps that could survive -at least- half of the year outdoors in S. Cal. 

I have grown these two species of Angraceum for several years.  Unfortunately I have been unsuccessful getting them to bloom.  Patience and persistence may someday persevere.

[Tracy]

A new to me x Potinara.  I really like the color combination. 

[piping plovers]

11 hours ago, Tracy said:

A new to me x Potinara.  I really like the color combination. 

Fantastic colors. What a find!

 

[piping plovers]

A Surprise late season bloom on my Blc. Terri Henderson 'Barbara‘

 

[Tracy]

On 10/31/2023 at 8:20 AM, Tracy said:

Laelia albida var. sulphurea blooming.   This has been an inconsistent bloomer for me over the years but it is loaded with buds this year.

I had to get a couple of photos before the rain started yesterday since the buds on this orchid had finally all opened.  There is a third spike on it which I didn't photograph, but I was very excited to see how prolific the flowers can be on this species after growing it for several years.  It is very fragrant as well.  Unfortunately sometimes the fragrance is smothered by the Cycas thouarsii's cones which is right behind the Chambeyronia this Laelia albida var. sulphurea hangs off.

[John hovancsek]

[flplantguy]

Cattleya alliance hybrid.

[aztropic]

A couple winter blooming cats... When things cool off from a scorching summer, certain orchids begin to wake up and start their annual flowering cycle.

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[Tracy]

Laelia anceps hybrid in bloom

[Tracy]

Late Autumn flowers in the garden...Rhyncholaeliocattleya Shinfong Gold Gem 'Golden Jewel', Laelias, Dendrobium moorei, Pleurothallis phalangifera, Cleisocentron gokusingii (merillianum) and a Maxillaria scalariformis.

[realarch]

Boy Tracy, quite the word soup for some nice orchids. 

Tim

[Tracy]

4 hours ago, realarch said:

Boy Tracy, quite the word soup for some nice orchids. 

Tim

🤣  I cut and paste the names from my labels on photos which are all in my Lightroom catalogue.  I also retain the labels with the plants in case I forget.  That is something Dana isn't a big fan of, having plant labels on or near all the orchids in the garden.

[realarch]

A necessary evil for the curious mind. I can ID most of the palms without tags, but orchids, airoids, and ferns……without tags, hunting through photos or a database takes more patience than I can muster. You’re my hero Tracy.

Tim

[Tracy]

3 hours ago, realarch said:

A necessary evil for the curious mind. I can ID most of the palms without tags, but orchids, airoids, and ferns……without tags, hunting through photos or a database takes more patience than I can muster. You’re my hero Tracy.

Tim

You can and do grow a much wider variety of palms than I can.  Your palm vocabulary probably matches all the plants I have in mine, be they palm, cycad, orchid or other.  Don't sell yourself short, we know better.

With that said, how about this little Maxillaria ubatubana.  Flowers started opening today with many unopened buds yet to come. 

[piping plovers]

Visited Flamingo Gardens yesterday in Davie, Florida.  Some orchids in bloom. Really enjoy seeing many of them growing naturally as epiphytes.  I’ll post the palms and other tropicals in the travel forum. 
 

 

 

 

I was inspired by these blue and Orange vandas and was glad to find/purchase some juvenile packaged ones in Lowes and Home Depot. Very reasonably priced and easy to fit into carry on luggage 😁

 

 

 

[Silas_Sancona]

7 minutes ago, piping plovers said:

Visited Flamingo Gardens yesterday in Davie, Florida.  Some orchids in bloom. Really enjoy seeing many of them growing naturally as epiphytes.  I’ll post the palms and other tropicals in the travel forum. 
 

 

 

 

I was inspired by these blue and Orange vandas and was glad to find/purchase some juvenile packaged ones in Lowes and Home Depot. Very reasonably priced and easy to fit into carry on luggage 😁

 

 

 

 

  Glad to see Better Gro is still selling affordable orchids there, ..Just wish they'd offer some in the Lowe's here, lol..  A Dendrobium aggregatum / ** now lumped in w/ D. lindleyi ** and Brassavola X " Yellow Bird " i had for years  came from one of those " impulse " purchases while rifling through what other orchids were on one of their racks when shopping for something else.

Still have the piece of CA. Bay wood i grew the Dendrobium on.  Another lindleyi / aggregatum specimen will be placed on it once out of the desert

[piping plovers]

4 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Glad to see Better Gro is still selling affordable orchids there, ..Just wish they'd offer some in the Lowe's here, lol..  A Dendrobium aggregatum / ** now lumped in w/ D. lindleyi ** and Brassavola X " Yellow Bird " i had for years  came from one of those " impulse " purchases while rifling through what other orchids were on one of their racks when shopping for something else.

Oh wow!  Never know what gems you can find. My favorite bicolor white Catt that I’ve posted on here over the years came from one of those mesh bags in the late 80s.
 

I hear you on that…I needed to travel 1200 miles to find these because lowes and Home Depot don’t have anything other than orchid bark and phals up north —  RI & Mass area.  This hobby is much more convenient in FL 😁.   I even purchase all my annual expected wire ware (pot hangers, clips etc) and other supplies when visiting these box stores in FL. BetterGro brand.  Great selection and prices.  If only I could purchase my orchid pots and other creative mounts ; clay pots would be too heavy but I have packed wooden vanda baskets in large boxes checked with my airline luggage.

 

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, piping plovers said:

Oh wow!  Never know what gems you can find. My favorite bicolor white Catt that I’ve posted on here over the years came from one of those mesh bags in the late 80s.
 

I hear you on that…I needed to travel 1200 miles to find these because lowes and Home Depot don’t have anything other than orchid bark and phals up north —  RI & Mass area.  This hobby is much more convenient in FL 😁.   I even purchase all my annual expected wire ware (pot hangers, clips etc) and other supplies when visiting these box stores in FL. BetterGro brand.  Great selection and prices.  If only I could purchase my orchid pots and other creative mounts ; clay pots would be too heavy but I have packed wooden vanda baskets in large boxes checked with my airline luggage.

 

There was a really nice bi-colored BrassoCatt. i'd picked up on one trip but ..Don't remember what happened to it. Thinking it rotted for some reason. Regardless, yea, i'd see a few interesting things from time to time.  Wish they'd add newer, " easy " stuff ...like some of the more common forms of Laelia anceps to their offerings.

I can't remember the name ( ..might not even be in business any more ) but, i remember an orchid supply place out of FL being at one of the plant sales events i'd attended way back when..  Had everything from hangers to plastic and wood slat baskets and driftwood / natural cork slab mounts. If i remember right, believe they'd told me they ship supplies outside of FL when i'd asked.

Regardless, when we moved here, and my collection went to the Orchid Jungle in the sky,  i saved every basket / pot, natural mount, hangers i had..  I've also been saving " choice " pieces of branches from various things i've trimmed since being here  to use as mounts so i won't have to buy any later.

[piping plovers]

20 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

I can't remember the name ( ..might not even be in business any more ) but, i remember an orchid supply place out of FL being at one of the plant sales events i'd attended way back when..  Had everything from hangers to plastic and wood slat baskets and driftwood / natural cork slab mounts. If i remember right, believe they'd told me they ship supplies outside of FL when i'd asked.

I wonder if it’s OFE International orchid supply in homestead.  Highly recommended by others but I never got out there yet. 

[piping plovers]

Can you believe I found this one in the 1/2 price death row cart at Lowe’s today? Went to another Lowes in FL today.  Name is vanda wuttipanara manooya.  Blooming size, had a faded bloom.  Some Sun stress damage but it will recover; zero chance of continued sun stress in RI in December.

I looked up the tag online to see what blooms look like and I was hooked.  Online photo of the bloom and actual plant below.

 

[Silas_Sancona]

24 minutes ago, piping plovers said:

I wonder if it’s OFE International orchid supply in homestead.  Highly recommended by others but I never got out there yet. 

Looking around again last night, i think it could have been Broward County O.S. ..something about the name rang a bell..  Still in business also .   OFE looks like another good resource for supplies as well..

You'll appreciate this side note..  While picking up a box of lights, broke down and bought a small pot of standard green Hoya kerrii from the houseplant section..  Unlike most offerings of it you see ( which are just a leaf stuck in a pot, which likely won't continue growing. ) these were actual cuttings w/ new growth / plenty of stem.  Have reached the point where it is time for adding  ..at least.. a couple Hoyas again, haha.

Figure hanging them under the front porch ( east facing ) should provide enough light, and keep the sun off of them.  If i decide to add couple " tougher " Orchids next year, that is where i'd keep them as well.

[miamicuse]

On 12/8/2023 at 9:52 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

Looking around again last night, i think it could have been Broward County O.S. ..something about the name rang a bell..  Still in business also .   OFE looks like another good resource for supplies as well..

You'll appreciate this side note..  While picking up a box of lights, broke down and bought a small pot of standard green Hoya kerrii from the houseplant section..  Unlike most offerings of it you see ( which are just a leaf stuck in a pot, which likely won't continue growing. ) these were actual cuttings w/ new growth / plenty of stem.  Have reached the point where it is time for adding  ..at least.. a couple Hoyas again, haha.

Figure hanging them under the front porch ( east facing ) should provide enough light, and keep the sun off of them.  If i decide to add couple " tougher " Orchids next year, that is where i'd keep them as well.

I have seen this place around various south Florida plant shows.

https://www.browardorchidsupply.com/

[miamicuse]

my Hairy pig blooming.

[Tracy]

16 hours ago, miamicuse said:

my Hairy pig blooming.

They smell great too!  Interesting bloom time, mine is normally a late spring bloomer between end of April and June for Rhycholaeliana digbyana.

[SubTropicRay]

Cattleya maxima has a slight fragrance

 

[miamicuse]

[piping plovers]

My Blc Blanche Aisaka 'Yuki' just bloomed. I familiarized myself with the FCC/AOS abbreviations and now I have a new found respect for its lineage!

Fingers crossed it will remain in bloom for 3 more weeks so I can show it at my local orchid society meeting in January and hopefully enter it into judging at the cape cod, MA orchid show; it would be my first entry for any orchid judging. With my luck the blooms  will fade days before the events😆

The blooms are 6 1/2 inches across. Optical illusion on the first photo as it appears much larger across. The 2nd to last photo below reminds me of purple stitching along the underside of the lip. Pleasant fragrance.