Why not grow orchids?

[Tracy]

2 hours ago, TropicsEnjoyer said:

a very modest and elegant orchid I must say

does it have any scent?

I don't recall from past years.  I tried smelling it this morning but I am coming off a cold so my sense of smell isn't 100% yet.  According to other sources it is supposed to be fragrant. 

[happypalms]

There still flowering down under.

[Tracy]

On 10/30/2025 at 3:06 AM, happypalms said:

There still flowering down under.

This species of Dendrobium is consistent in flowering in "Spring conditions" on both sides of the equator.   In the Northern Hemisphere they open in May.

On a different note Laelia gouldiana,  is a consistent Autumn Northern Hemisphere bloom, typically after Dia De Los Muertos, but before Thanksgiving in my region.   The first flower on this inflorescence opened this morning. 

[happypalms]

1 hour ago, Tracy said:

This species of Dendrobium is consistent in flowering in "Spring conditions" on both sides of the equator.   In the Northern Hemisphere they open in May.

On a different note Laelia gouldiana,  is a consistent Autumn Northern Hemisphere bloom, typically after Dia De Los Muertos, but before Thanksgiving in my region.   The first flower on this inflorescence opened this morning. 

Interesting the opposite sides of the world how some plants do the same thing. Is it photo periodical that triggers that response. 
I find myself collecting more and more orchids now, I always told myself I never wanted a hothouse full of them, so I just put them in the garden instead. 
That laelia is an amazing colour and the shape is almost star like one beautiful orchid! 

[piping plovers]

Rlc. Sharon King 'Yuki' AM/AOS (Rlc. Oconee x Rlc. Gorgeous Gold).

One of the catts I brought to the Massachusetts Orchid Society Show this past weekend. 

 

pictured below with Lc Judy Walters, also entered into the show.

 

[metalfan]

Bulbophyllum habrotium

[miamicuse]

many orchid buds destroyed by iguanas this year.

[piping plovers]

So sorry to hear about the iguanas. These orchids are very beautiful, though. Is the last photo RLC. Golf Green 'Hair Pig'? 
 

I bought one at Redlands in 2024, but it sulked and never thrived. Hopefully this year it will revive.

[piping plovers]

14 minutes ago, miamicuse said:

many orchid buds destroyed by iguanas this year.

Oops, I forgot to quote you on the above reply.  Re: RLC. Golf Green 'Hair Pig'

[miamicuse]

17 hours ago, piping plovers said:

Oops, I forgot to quote you on the above reply.  Re: RLC. Golf Green 'Hair Pig'

I have the hair pig but it hasn't bloom yet.  This one in the picture isan Rlc. digbyana.

[Tracy]

On 10/27/2025 at 8:14 AM, Tracy said:

A sure sign that Autumn is here, Laelia albida form sulphurea is in bloom.

While the scent wasn't noticable when the Laelia albida initially opened, after a few days, it became and remains very fragrant.

Yesterday evening I noticed another Laelia had opened in the garden.

[Jonathan]

You might need a magnifying glass for this one...Sarcochilus australis, Tasmania's only true epiphytic orchid. A tiny twig epiphyte, the pencil is literally touching the flower,  which gives an idea of the scale. They do get bigger, allegedly!

These ones were wind falls from a small colony on my father's farm. Apparently they're notoriously touchy in cultivation, but these have flowered twice for me now, which is cool.

[happypalms]

On 11/11/2025 at 6:23 PM, Jonathan said:

You might need a magnifying glass for this one...Sarcochilus australis, Tasmania's only true epiphytic orchid. A tiny twig epiphyte, the pencil is literally touching the flower,  which gives an idea of the scale. They do get bigger, allegedly!

These ones were wind falls from a small colony on my father's farm. Apparently they're notoriously touchy in cultivation, but these have flowered twice for me now, which is cool.

Beautiful Australian orchid, so Tasmania has a hidden beauty after all, it’s not just apples after all! 

[Tracy]

On 11/10/2025 at 11:23 PM, Jonathan said:

You might need a magnifying glass for this one...Sarcochilus australis, Tasmania's only true epiphytic orchid. A tiny twig epiphyte, the pencil is literally touching the flower,  which gives an idea of the scale. They do get bigger, allegedly!

These ones were wind falls from a small colony on my father's farm. Apparently they're notoriously touchy in cultivation, but these have flowered twice for me now, which is cool.

Nice.  The Sarcochilus that I posted not too long ago has tiny flowers as well.  I don't recall where mine was native, but that is wonderful that you are growing a species native to your area!

[piping plovers]

Can Anyone provide any ideas on what cattleya species (or combination of species) this could be?

 I’ve had it 36 years. Came as a division from a university tropical conservatory collection. Blooms in winter soon after setting sheath. Single sheath. Slightly fragrant. 4-5 flowers on stem and blooms are approximately 5” across.

I’m sure it’s an annual bloomer, but for me It blooms once every 18 years. This is the 2nd time it has bloomed for me in 36 years. It must think it has the life cycle of a cicada. Lol

thank you for any help you can provide!

 

 

[Silas_Sancona]

56 minutes ago, piping plovers said:

Can Anyone provide any ideas on what cattleya species (or combination of species) this could be?

 I’ve had it 36 years. Came as a division from a university tropical conservatory collection. Blooms in winter soon after setting sheath. Single sheath. Slightly fragrant. 4-5 flowers on stem and blooms are approximately 5” across.

I’m sure it’s an annual bloomer, but for me It blooms once every 18 years. This is the 2nd time it has bloomed for me in 36 years. It must think it has the life cycle of a cicada. Lol

thank you for any help you can provide!

 

 

Tough call on an exact sp.

For a preliminary species I'd / any  parentage dominance exhibited,  I'd  compare it to any of the winter flowering Catts that have large labellum and thin sepals / wide petals.

Wide gap in flowering could be linked to another part of it's genetics .. parent in a cross  that won't  flower without lots of heat and humidity ( think true Amazon basin sps. )

[piping plovers]

On 11/15/2025 at 2:53 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

I'd  compare it to any of the winter flowering Catts that have large labellum and thin sepals / wide petals.

Wide gap in flowering could be linked to another part of it's genetics .. parent in a cross  that won't  flower without lots of heat and humidity ( think true Amazon basin sps. )

Thank you Nathan. Yes, I was studying the bloom time charts in Art Chadwick’s cattleya book. I was liking the comparison to species labiata for bloom time and somewhat on the shape; but mine lacks the double sheath characteristic typical to that species.

I also think that C. Eldorado has the most similar shape; however, I don’t see any that  have a lip color the same as the petals and sepals. Seems that a contrasting lip is a thing with this species. Also, I am reading that it is very uncommon commercially in US. Although, it was originally in a university tropical collection; so, anything is possible with traveling horticultural students and professors.

 I like what you wrote about very warm/hot growing conditions being a major limiting factor for regular blooming. Especially for northern US growers. Im reading that eldorado actually is found in these very same, lowland amazon Jungle conditions.

The two times it bloomed were following very warm humid summers. This past summer in northeast, brought long lasting heat and humidity. Previous blooming was when I lived in DC suburbs, very hot humid summers.

 

[piping plovers]

Stanhopea oculata. I look forward to this fragrance every November.

 

[Jonathan]

3 hours ago, piping plovers said:

Stanhopea oculata. I look forward to this fragrance every November.

 

Love how you're growing it with the fern, looks great.

[Silas_Sancona]

On 11/16/2025 at 9:42 PM, piping plovers said:

Thank you Nathan. Yes, I was studying the bloom time charts in Art Chadwick’s cattleya book. I was liking the comparison to species labiata for bloom time and somewhat on the shape; but mine lacks the double sheath characteristic typical to that species.

I also think that C. Eldorado has the most similar shape; however, I don’t see any that  have a lip color the same as the petals and sepals. Seems that a contrasting lip is a thing with this species. Also, I am reading that it is very uncommon commercially in US. Although, it was originally in a university tropical collection; so, anything is possible with traveling horticultural students and professors.

 I like what you wrote about very warm/hot growing conditions being a major limiting factor for regular blooming. Especially for northern US growers. Im reading that eldorado actually is found in these very same, lowland amazon Jungle conditions.

The two times it bloomed were following very warm humid summers. This past summer in northeast, brought long lasting heat and humidity. Previous blooming was when I lived in DC suburbs, very hot humid summers.

 

👍

Keep in mind that if it is a cross, esp one that has several parents,  anatomical features of the flowers may be greatly diluted compared to if it were a primary cross .. between just 2 sps. Rather than several over time.

When I look at it, I can se hints of purpurata or something like mossiae or one of the other big lipped, unifoliate Catts

That said, there may be some  bifoliate blood in there too since the flowering stem has two leaves.

Interesting cross regardless.

Hopefully it won't take as long to flower again, lol.

[Tracy]

I was surprised last night to see my Laelia anceps v. veitchiana was already opening a flower.  It normally doesn't open any until closer to Thanksgiving and usually is still holding flowers into the New Year.  First photo from last night not quite fully open and second is this morning.   This plant is loaded with spikes, so I will have many flowers on it. 

[aztropic]

Just picked up some fresh catts from our local fall orchid sale. Instant gratification. Whole living room smells incredible! After these flowers fade,I have several Rhynchostylis gigantea and vandas already starting to bud up in the greenhouse. 🪻

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[piping plovers]

On 11/17/2025 at 3:02 AM, Jonathan said:

Love how you're growing it with the fern, looks great.

Thanks Jonathan. I’m also trying to establish a strap leaf anthurium (vittariifolium) in there too, but it’s been slow to get going.

[piping plovers]

3 hours ago, aztropic said:

Instant gratification

A beautiful and vibrant display. Nice choices!

[Tracy]

The next in line which opened this morning were the Laelia anceps barkeriana type.  It is exceedingly unusual to have all my Laelias open flowers before Thanksgiving arrives.  

[Tracy]

Epidendrum marmoratum is now in full bloom, emerging from the Platycerium that was a small tag along when I bought the plant 7 or 8 years ago.  The Platycerium now dominates the little stick they were mounted on.

[piping plovers]

Brassocattleya Gulfshore's Beauty 'Green Gem'

I usually like the big, 1950s-era classic, floofy, corsage-type cattleyas. But, the color contrast on this smaller one temporarily pushed me into modern times. 😆

First time blooming for me and have been anticipating since purchasing a year ago. Slightly fragrant.