Why not grow orchids?

[metalfan]

We have an orchid show coming up here in October, hope to flesh it out some more then

[piping plovers]

12 hours ago, metalfan said:

Picked these up yesterday for one of my terrariums. (I have 7 terrariums LOL). Ecuagenera in Apopka is having an open house and everything is 20% off.

Lepanthes saltatrix

Lepanthes lucifer

Lepanthes tentaculata

Dendrobium petiolata

 

 

That first and fourth photos, really nice gems you found there,  I never even heard of lepanthes.

[metalfan]

I have been growing Lepanthes since 2019. Have acquired them from Ecuagenera and Andy's Orchids in CA. They are very very cool. Love them! Going to get some Pleurothallids to flesh out my terrarium soon

[piping plovers]

3 minutes ago, metalfan said:

I have been growing Lepanthes since 2019. Have acquired them from Ecuagenera and Andy's Orchids in CA. They are very very cool. Love them! Going to get some Pleurothallids to flesh out my terrarium soon

That grouping should be a real conversation piece amongst the members of your upcoming orchid society meeting you mentioned.  The terrarium at Selby was amazing; other worldly.

[Tracy]

Some little white flowers:  Neofinetia falcata (Onamisecai) and a Dendrobium moorei on it's second round of blossoms this summer.

[piping plovers]

On 9/8/2021 at 3:00 PM, Tracy said:

 

Some little white flowers:  Neofinetia falcata (Onamisecai) and a Dendrobium moorei on it's second round of blossoms this summer.

 

So delicate and beautiful.  Those tails on the blooms remind me of the tails on the wild impatiens blooms (or jewel weed) growing in wet forests on the east coast.  Am curious, are they fragrant?

[Tracy]

On 9/9/2021 at 6:11 PM, piping plovers said:

delicate and beautiful.  Those tails on the blooms remind me of the tails on the wild impatiens blooms (or jewel weed) growing in wet forests on the east coast.  Am curious, are they (Neofinetia falcata) fragrant?

Yes, they are fragrant at night and through early morning.  I think it smells a bit like vanilla, but the species description for Neofinetia falcata says like jasmine.

[piping plovers]

5 hours ago, Tracy said:

Yes, they are fragrant at night and through early morning.  I think it smells a bit like vanilla, but the species description for Neofinetia falcata says like jasmine.

Well another good reason to grow that orchid. Between jasmine and vanilla; how can you go wrong? 

[Silas_Sancona]

2 hours ago, piping plovers said:

Well another good reason to grow that orchid. Between jasmine and vanilla; how can you go wrong? 

..Or any w/ flowers that smell like Chocolate or Coconut Cream / Rum..    Weirdest?  ..aside that Bulbophyllum whose flowers smell like dead things?   Some Stanhopea produce flowers that smell like Oregano or Sage.. 

Have smelled a few Cattleya and Oncidium flowers that reminded me a combination of Vinyl ( think 1950 / 60's era furniture covers Grandma might have had. Still sold apparently, lol )  and Strawberries / Raspberries.   Strangely more repulsive than the stinky Bulbo.

[metalfan]

9 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

..Or any w/ flowers that smell like Chocolate or Coconut Cream / Rum..    Weirdest?  ..aside that Bulbophyllum whose flowers smell like dead things?   Some Stanhopea produce flowers that smell like Oregano or Sage.. 

Have smelled a few Cattleya and Oncidium flowers that reminded me a combination of Vinyl ( think 1950 / 60's era furniture covers Grandma might have had. Still sold apparently, lol )  and Strawberries / Raspberries.   Strangely more repulsive than the stinky Bulbo.

LOL I have 'that Bulbophyllum that smells like dead things' and TBH I never noticed that it did. Maybe it depends on the space you have it on

[Silas_Sancona]

3 hours ago, metalfan said:

LOL I have 'that Bulbophyllum that smells like dead things' and TBH I never noticed that it did. Maybe it depends on the space you have it on

Here's an article regarding that Bulbophyllum.. The one at Selby wasn't flowering last time i'd seen it but an orchid grower had a big specimen in full bloom on display at a sale i'd attended several years ago.. Scent wasn't overpowering ( event was held outdoors, USF in Tampa to be exact ), but definitely noticeable up close. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/meet-stinky-bucky-bulbophyllum-orchid-shutdown-smithsonian-greenhouse-180962924/

And a couple other " Stinkers ", one recently seen in Yosemite of all places.. " Horse Corral on a hot afternoon ", anyone?, haha

https://earthsky.org/earth/an-orchid-that-smells-like-roadkill/

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna19797088

[metalfan]

OH I am not thinking of B. phalaenopsis. I was thinking of another stinky reputation one, echinolabium (sp?)

[piping plovers]

21 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Here's an article regarding that Bulbophyllum.. The one at Selby wasn't flowering last time i'd seen it but an orchid grower had a big specimen in full bloom on display at a sale i'd attended several years ago.. Scent wasn't overpowering ( event was held outdoors, USF in Tampa to be exact ), but definitely noticeable up close. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/meet-stinky-bucky-bulbophyllum-orchid-shutdown-smithsonian-greenhouse-180962924/

And a couple other " Stinkers ", one recently seen in Yosemite of all places.. " Horse Corral on a hot afternoon ", anyone?, haha

https://earthsky.org/earth/an-orchid-that-smells-like-roadkill/

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna19797088

Nice articles on that orchid. When I was at Selby’s they did have theirs on display and I thought it was a giant phaleonopsis for obvious reasons. I didn’t notice any blooms or odors; so I don’t think it was in bloom. Heat index in Florida, in August humidity, was over 105 degrees F that day.  Plus we were in a greenhouse.

[epiphyte]

On 8/30/2021 at 10:13 AM, Silas_Sancona said:

Which ever sp. the Dendrophylax is,  will cross my fingers you succeed w/ it..  Had the FL. sp. on my to acquire list but was stopped in my tracks after speaking with several long time Orchid gurus there who all explained how tough these can be to grow, let alone getting them to flower..  One minor mistake which wouldn't faze many orchids can kill these or set them back for years.

Still want to try one after i get the right set up going.  Angraecum, many from S. Africa / Madagascar are easier, but produce similar flowers. Surprisingly, have heard a few sp. can be grown outdoors in parts of S. Cal..

Dendrophylax funalis grew great outside for at least a year, but then I decided to test its sun tolerance, ugh.  Recently I divided/butchered my specimen Microcoelia exilis.  Great outdoor grower but has ridiculously tiny flowers that somehow consistently get pollinated.  

[Silas_Sancona]

7 hours ago, epiphyte said:

Dendrophylax funalis grew great outside for at least a year, but then I decided to test its sun tolerance, ugh.  Recently I divided/butchered my specimen Microcoelia exilis.  Great outdoor grower but has ridiculously tiny flowers that somehow consistently get pollinated.  

Good to know there's at least one Dendrophylax sp. that stands a chance of surviving outdoors there..  Looks ( at least through casual research ) like it might be less challenging, overall,  than the traditional " Ghost " Orchid too.

[Tracy]

A very cool Madagascar native in bloom, Aerangis cryptodon.  I picked up this plant from Andy's brother Harry a few months back and it already had the flower spike on it.  Hoping I can do as well as Harry did over this winter and get it to bloom again next summer!

[Tracy]

On 8/25/2020 at 5:00 PM, Tracy said:

Aeranthes racemosa has been a consistent bloomer every year for me since I got it.  I love the arrangement of the leaflets on this when it isn't in bloom.  This is a rather short flower stalk compared to some in the past which hang down even further.  It's very unusual looking and something preferably hung high so you can look up into the flower.  Unfortunately, I have it down low most of the time and temporarily move it up high to enjoy.

I just learned that I have been using an incorrect name for this orchid.  The correct name is Aeranthes ramosa.  In my defense, I have two tags on it from when I acquired it, and both had the species as racemosa.  Its been a consistent performer every year, and seems to endure our cool winters despite being listed as a warm to intermediate temperature plant.  It had a couple more blooms late last month, but is now down to retaining this last flower.

[John hovancsek]

[Tampa Scott]

[Silas_Sancona]

45 minutes ago, Tampa Scott said:

Veryy Nice!      Resembles a BLC cultivar i had several years ago.

[piping plovers]

LC. MOONWIND ‘MT. MADONNA’ (Lc. Eva Shill x Lc. Elizabeth Off)

Interesting how the only lead that bloomed this year is the one that escaped to the satellite clay pot attached to the basket.  The fragrance is just heady on this orchid.

[Tracy]

Rhyncholaeliocattleya Shinfong Gold Gem 'Golden Jewel', a hybrid.

[John hovancsek]

Some blooms from the garden. Don’t ask names, I am really bad with that kind of stuff 

[Tracy]

2 hours ago, John hovancsek said:

Don’t ask names, I am really bad with that kind of stuff 

 

Names... I can get you started.  First looks like a form of Laelia anceps and second is a Paphiopedilum.  Anyone else want to fill in any blanks?  Looks like your Laelia is ahead of any of mine in opening flowers this year.  I suspect I'll see my first Laelia flower of the season open in another week or two.  Here in my climate the Mexican Laelia's start blooming between Veterans day and Thanksgiving and run through the New Year.  It's fun to see these bloom as so many other plants in the garden really start slowing down as we hit December in this climate.

[Silas_Sancona]

#'s 1, 3, and 5 are Cattleya / Cattleya dominant cultivars, 1st likely a unifoliate species ( ...or pretty close to species cultivar )..  Wide Petals / Labellum are a dead give away.   #4 is a Dendrobium.. possibly  something in the section Spatulata.

[John hovancsek]

I am so bad with tags, they always disappear for some reason 

[John hovancsek]

[Tracy]

On 11/13/2021 at 9:41 AM, John hovancsek said:

 

Lovely Vandas!  My first Laelia anceps of the 2021 season opened over the weekend.. it is a Lalia anceps ssp guerrero. 

[Tracy]

A hybrid... can't recall the parentage, but something that Fred from Sunset Valley Orchids concocted. 

[Silas_Sancona]

9 minutes ago, Tracy said:

A hybrid... can't recall the parentage, but something that Fred from Sunset Valley Orchids concocted. 

BLC cross for sure,   ..Looks a lot like " Yellow Bird " crossed with ...something else, by Fred.  Maxillaria beneath / left of center of the flowers threw me off for a second, lol.

Edited November 18, 2021 by Silas_Sancona

[piping plovers]

I can’t claim credit for blooming these.  My brother purchased them as an early Christmas gift for me (before I could get my wallet out of my pocket) at a wonderful little orchid greenhouse while visiting in NC last week.  I had followed their website for years and was nice to finally visit the growers in person.  Mostly cattleya types, the place was an absolute jewel box in the rural countryside. 

SLC. Circle of Life ‘Carmela’

And

Pot. Melinda Rose Funke ‘Ernie’

 

 

[piping plovers]

I escaped the dismal December weather in New England for a week to enjoy some Florida sunshine. At Miami Zoo today: appear to be vandas in this tree by the tiger exhibit. Could not get the the tigers to appear in the photo; they kept moving around.  Hardly anyone at the zoo today, all the animals seemed relaxed. Beautiful plantings throughout the exhibits.  I’ll post more in the botanical garden thread.

[piping plovers]

Forgot to post the zoo’s vanilla orchid; climbing and climbing and climbing…

[Silas_Sancona]

9 minutes ago, piping plovers said:

I escaped the dismal December weather in New England for a week to enjoy some Florida sunshine. At Miami Zoo today: appear to be vandas in this tree by the tiger exhibit. Could not get the the tigers to appear in the photo; they kept moving around.  Hardly anyone at the zoo today, all the animals seemed relaxed. Beautiful plantings throughout the exhibits.  I’ll post more in the botanical garden thread.

Vanda or X Ascosenda ( Cross between Vanda and Ascocentrum )  ..Perfect specimen regardless.. Have the same " ropy " looking Cactus growing below it.

[piping plovers]

1 minute ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Vanda or X Ascosenda ( Cross between Vanda and Ascocentrum )  ..Perfect specimen regardless.. Have the same " ropy " looking Cactus growing below it.

Ah, thanks Silas—-I knew you would be able identify it or at least a close approximation   

[Silas_Sancona]

6 minutes ago, piping plovers said:

Ah, thanks Silas—-I knew you would be able identify it or at least a close approximation   

Even though a few people there in FL pointed out the differences at a couple different Orchid shows i'd attended, i still get them confused if there isn't a label attached, lol

[piping plovers]

Today I ventured to Fairchild Botanical Garden, not too far from the Miami zoo.  I stayed overnight in Miami area to make these two visits. 
 

More orchids below.  Interesting how they displayed these vandas; they were perched on poles in mass planted beds (almost like a perennial garden massing).  Anyhow, not sure if this is their final form for the vanda display garden or if they were temporarily perched only to be suspended later.

I’ll be posting soon the many photos of palms, anthuriums, philodendrons, and other exotics in the botanical garden area on the forum. The rainforest and conservatory were amazing to visit again.

 

 

Edited December 8, 2021 by piping plovers
Photos

[palmsOrl]

I have recently decided to get back into growing orchids and I have decided to build a collection of leafless orchids.  Leafless orchids range worldwide from Asia, Indonesia, Australia and Polynesia to Africa, the Caribbean and the Southern tip of Florida.

Most are completely leafless though some, such as some Chiloschista species can have ephemeral leaves.  Leafless orchids are highly evolved and have very specialized flowers to attract specific pollinators and carry out photosynthesis though their roots.

The different genera and species vary significantly in their culture requirements but as a whole, they require warm to intermediate temperatures, high humidity and gentle air circulation.  They also prefer dappled sunlight though some prefer shade and some almost full sun.

In October I purchased a really nice, healthy ghost orchid, Dendrophylax lindenii but I learned the hard way (again) that this species needs to be very humid (60%-90%) but cannot stay wet/moist for long or the plant will rot.  That is what quickly happened with the plant (first photo) I bought in October, so I bought another species of leafless orchid from Indonesia, Taeniophyllum hasseltii and just recently bought another of our Florida native ghost orchids, Dendrophylax lindenii (both pictured in second photo)and they are both being kept in the bottom of a glass jar on the porch with water in the bottom to create an around the clock humid environment.  Through March, I am only going to water these two plants every 6-7 days and will water early in the day so the plants both dry out within a few hours of watering.

Another extremely important thing I have learned about leafless orchids is that the plants do NOT like mechanical manipulation.  In other words, the roots do not tolerate being bent or they die.  I am guessing this is because it fatally damages the cells where the bend occurs.

Does anybody else have leafless orchids they are growing?  Is anyone growing the ghost orchid successfully?

-Michael

[piping plovers]

Thanks for posting that information, very educational and good to learn of your experiences growing these. 

When I was in Florida a few months ago a friend gave me what I think is a Dendrophylax to take back north.  A leafless Caribbean orchid similar to the ghost orchid.  Also a chiloschista, as I understand it, a similar orchid.  I’ll need to sort out which is which.  Photos below. 

2 hours ago, palmsOrl said:

Does anybody else have leafless orchids they are growing? 

[Tracy]

This Laelia gouldiana (Greta Garbo" has almost fully opened this spike before Christmas, with another spike in full bud that should open just in time for New Year's Day.  With so many genra and species, one can have orchids in bloom year round to add color to the garden.  That said, I always look forward to Laelia season because of the plentiful large blooms and long lasting flowers.