Why not grow orchids?

[piping plovers]

Well, talk about orchids and PalmTalk!!! ... I just saw this amazing display at Krull-Smith Orchids today in Apopka, FL. My 2nd visit there in 6 months.

 

Many of the non-orchids specimens were very impressive as well.

While there today, I bought my very first Paph rothschildianum hybrid or cross: Lady Rothschild (Lady Isabel ‘HJ103#1’) x rothschildianum ‘CY 201’

I’ve been intrigued with the rothschildianums ever since a few were shown this year by members of the Cape Cod Orchid Society. Been learning about their requirements for the past few months. What is so helpful is that Krull-Smith can ship them, just choose exactly what you want at the nursery and they will ship. Too large for plane carry-on.

This will arrive home a week after I do:

 Also, Will be visiting a “Mini” Redlands orchid event later this week in South FL.  The main event is moved to October due to cooler weather. I recently heard that OFE will have an event with fewer vendors this week. If anyone is in the area, it should be worth the visit.  

 

[realarch]

Another Cattleya growing on the trunk of a Nenga pumilla. As happy as can be. 

Tim

[piping plovers]

3 minutes ago, realarch said:

Another Cattleya growing on the trunk of a Nenga pumilla. As happy as can be. 

Your background flora is just as amazing as your orchid blooms. That Hawaiian lighting, like paradise.

[Tracy]

Rhyncholaelia digbyana in bloom. They are very fragrant so I hope I get more over time growing here.

[piping plovers]

16 hours ago, Tracy said:

Rhyncholaelia digbyana in bloom. They are very fragrant so I hope I get more over time growing here.

I just came across some of these blooming in FL; very pleasant fragrance.

[realarch]

On 5/15/2025 at 7:52 AM, piping plovers said:

Your background flora is just as amazing as your orchid blooms. That Hawaiian lighting, like paradise.

Mahalo Joseph! 

Tim

[Tracy]

Just starting to open the flowers this Spring. 

[piping plovers]

Dendrobium blooming later than usual this spring.

 

[piping plovers]

Has become one of my favorites: C. mossiae yellow lip x coerulea 'Pablo'. Very fragrant.

 

 

[Tracy]

Sedirea japonica in bloom.  This one is wrapping its roots around the narrow trunk of the Chamaedorea I have it hung from.  It has nice fat leaves too even when it isn't in bloom.

[metalfan]

Aerides odorata. Faithful bloomer

[metalfan]

[metalfan]

Grammatophyllum scriptum

[Tracy]

8 hours ago, metalfan said:

Aerides odorata. Faithful bloomer

Based on the name, I am guessing it is a fragrant Faithful bloomer?

[metalfan]

Oh yes! It is definitely.

[metalfan]

Bulbophyllum micranthum ex. Brown River PNG. First of 3 blooms opened

[metalfan]

3 more flowers on my Bulbophyllum opened up...

And my Vanda Sonia Daccach no. 497 is in bloom again

[metalfan]

Grammatophyllum scriptum var citrinum 'Hihimanu' on the right, G. scriptum var Tigrinum 'Leopard 4N' x scriptum crinitum on left

[piping plovers]

The last of my 3 Brassia Edvah Loo ‘Nishida’ to bloom this year.  This had the longest spike of the 3.

 

 

and a few photos of the 2nd one to bloom:

 

[metalfan]

Oh that is a beauty!

[Tracy]

Vanda tricolor 

[piping plovers]

38 minutes ago, Tracy said:

Vanda tricolor 

Very nice. Have never seen that in vandas before 

[metalfan]

Grammatophyllum scriptum var. Citrinum

Little orange NOID Vanda

[metalfan]

Pholidota imbricata

[metalfan]

Grammatophyllum multiflora....the dwarf form of scriptum. The whole thing is blooming in a 2.5" pot. This is full grown

[Tracy]

I saw this Epidendrum parkinsonianum at Andy's Orchids open house today and decided to add one to my collection.   It is similar to Epidendrum falcata,  which I have grown for years, but different enough that I want to grow it.

[Tomas]

Laelia purpurata A Joia da Bruxa

[metalfan]

Vanda 'Pure Wax Blue #3' is in bloom again

[piping plovers]

Hoping to someday replace my Vanda Manuvadee FCC that I lost to cold. Although, this is quite a bit darker, I think this is a nice replacement in the meantime: Vanda Pachara Delight 'Pachara‘
 

 

[metalfan]

I got this sunny little yellow Vanda in bloom today, as well as this purple/grey

[Tracy]

A relatively new orchid for me is this Encyclia mariae. 

[metalfan]

That's a beauty!

[Tracy]

Encyclia hanburyii is in full bloom.  I think this is the fullest display of flowers on this specimen I have ever had.  I actually bought it for it's red plump pseudobulbs, having never seen the flower several years ago. 

It seems to thrive in full sun as you can see it's companion plants.

[piping plovers]

14 minutes ago, Tracy said:

Encyclia hanburyii is in full bloom

Beautiful! My brain went immediately to vanda until I saw the name. The fronds behind are a nice  backdrop.

[piping plovers]

On 7/11/2025 at 10:40 PM, Tracy said:

 

A relatively new orchid for me is this Encyclia mariae. 

 

Also, I’ve been meaning to reply back on this one. Another beauty.  I’ve always thought that chartreuse green and white combination is so striking in nature.  And the shape of this really adds to it all.

And you grow this outdoors year round in your area?  

 

[Tracy]

23 minutes ago, piping plovers said:

Also, I’ve been meaning to reply back on this one. Another beauty.  I’ve always thought that chartreuse green and white combination is so striking in nature.  And the shape of this really adds to it all.

And you grow this outdoors year round in your area?  

 

Nothing gets to go inside in my garden.   If they can't survive outside throughout the year, then I move on to different species. 

[metalfan]

Got this NOID Dendrobium a few years ago as a freebie. BLooms faithfully

[piping plovers]

BLC. Terri Henderson Barbara’. A reliable summer and early autumn bloomer for me when not many of my orchids are blooming.

 

[piping plovers]

Anticipation is building.  Lc. MOONWIND 'MT. MADONNA' 1989, (Lc. Eva Shill x Lc. Elizabeth Off).

I've had this one for 36 years. Purchased from Rod McLellan (Acres of Orchids, in CA) back when we relied on those beautiful, glossy, mail-order catalogs.

Normally a late-November bloomer but I'm finding that growing with these better quality led lights, that sometimes it just doesn't matter what the bloom season.

Will keep you all posted in next few days...

 

[Tracy]

19 hours ago, piping plovers said:

Anticipation is building.  Lc. MOONWIND 'MT. MADONNA' 1989, (Lc. Eva Shill x Lc. Elizabeth Off).

I've had this one for 36 years. Purchased from Rod McLellan (Acres of Orchids, in CA) back when we relied on those beautiful, glossy, mail-order catalogs.

Normally a late-November bloomer but I'm finding that growing with these better quality led lights, that sometimes it just doesn't matter what the bloom season.

Will keep you all posted in next few days...

 

They look pregnant with potential!  Looking forward to the opening.