Showing posts with label growing orchids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label growing orchids. Show all posts

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Cattleya’s in flower - NOID

Finally, after long hot, humid and dry summer some of my cattleya orchids started flowering.

These one’s been given to me by friends when they stopped blooming, so I have no idea of they’re names. They turned out beautiful orchids with colorful, special blooms and so welcome in my ever expanding collection.
Cat 1 
Cat2
Cat3

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Zygopetalum “Blue Caribou”

Zygopetalum “Blue Caribou” 

This beautiful zygo in flower at the moment, nice colours and heavenly scent. 

Friday, November 3, 2017

Pink Rock Orchid - Thelychiton kingianus (formerly Dendrobium kingianum)

Dendrobium kingianum 
Some of my dendrobium orchids started it’s seasonal flowering and the first one is always  Pink Rock Orchid. It’s one of the easiest orchids to grow and always rewards with small, fragrant colourful blooms. 

It’s Australian native and very hardy, can withstand extreme temperatures and adapted to various weather conditions. Pink Rock Orchid occurs from the coast to nearby ranges between the Hunter River in NSW  and Rockhampton in QLD  where it usually grows on rock in forest and woodland.


It likes bright light, plenty of water during growing time, good ventilation and very occasional feeding  - other than that it’s not fussy and producing brilliantly coloured flowers year after year.
 In nature it grows on branches of trees or on rocks but can easily grow on windowsill with plenty of light.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Notes - Orchid Mantis - Master of Disguise

In the fascinated world of orchids many interesting things and one of them is Orchid Mantis. This insect is native to tropical rain forests of Malaysia and it’s one of the world’s unusual and selective hunters.

Bug Lab: Little Bugs, Super Powers” was an recent exhibition in Melbourne  and Orchid Mantis was one of the insects it’s featured. What Australian scientists learned about these surprisingly uncommon creatures is that instead of hiding within petals, ambushing bees and flies, they have become finely adapted for camouflage, mimicking parts of the orchid flower in an extraordinary display of predatory behaviour.

In fact it’s killer moves are now described as “pure ninja stealth” and scientists believe the insect is even better at catching pollinators than orchids themselves.

The Orchid Mantis is highlighted in the exhibition because of its deceptive imitation of the texture and colour of the orchid’s petals.
It remains completely still as it camouflages itself, only rotating its head to suss its surroundings.

Scientists call it an “aggressive mimicry”. 
What an interesting creation of Nature to ensure pollination of orchids in the tropical rain forests of  Southeast Asia.

Here is the video showing this Master of Disguise in action


Saturday, August 19, 2017

Wilsonara “Stirling Tiger”

One of my wilsonara’s flowering at the moment. it’s a cross between Odontioda 'Florence Stirling' and Ondontocidium 'Tiger Hamburhen” and it flowers with these large beautifully colored blooms.

It have long arching spikes that produce many flowers and very light herbal scent that reminds me of thyme and a bit of an attitude that demands attention. With me, “Stirling Tiger” seems to be flowering every other season and it gets moved around green house a few times in search of correct light requirement - too much light and it goes all yellow and with less light it’s just not flowering. It prefers warmer situation with a lot of air movement, and definitely wet and dry periods of growing.

Despite all this fussing, I still enjoy seeing it in flower and forgive it all of it’s shortcomings as long as I can see, smell and touch this special and magical orchid.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Orchids Oncidium Twinkle varieties - “CT Flamingo” and “Pink Profusion”

Onc. Twinkle CT Flamingo
Onc. Twinkle Pink Profusion
Couple of my onc. Twinkle orchids in bloom at the moment - they produce masses of tiny fragrant flowers on long flower spikes. The Twinkle varieties are  some of the great oncidiums of all times - they are easy to grow, , compact with many color variations. There are pure pristine whites, yellows, pinks and deep reds to suit any grower and collector.

Twinkle is a hybrid between Oncidium cheirophorum and Oncidium ornithorhynchum and was created by  W Moir of Hawaii back in 1958. They are easy to grow, can be flowered next to a window and very popular for their generous flowering habit and heavenly scented blooms.

They don't like direct sunlight so partial shade is perfect for them and should be watered just before they dry out, other than that they are easy to grow rewarding with beautiful scent of vanilla, cherry, fruit and herbs and many many miniature size blooms.


Friday, November 25, 2016

Rare orchid discovered on the Council’s rooftop

Tiny green-winged orchid was discovered recently by Islington Council workers on the green roof of the Household Reuse and Recycling Centre  in Holloway, UK. Very unusual situation because for this orchid to germinate and produce flowers all the right conditions have to be met - and here this rare orchid decided that rooftop of the Council is the best place for it to grow.

This discovery got all orchid specialists and enthusiasts very exited, since this particular orchid specie haven't been seen or spotted in the area for the past 100 years, it take number of years to germinate and was first recorded by Charles Darwin in London area.

This specie went to decline because it require hay meadow habitat that has been lost due to agricultural intensification, yet somehow Nature decided to give it another chance, on Islington's Council rooftop.

Long Live and multiply Anacamptis morio ( it's Latin Name)  !!!
(Photo - Islington Council)

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Dendrobium thrysiflorum in bloom

This dendrobium orchid just finished flowering - usually it flowers with a couple of flower spikes, but this year it gave 12 flower spikes, all perfectly formed - masses of flowers hanging everywhere!

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Phaelenopsis orchid - finally bloomed

While majority of my orchids are resting during our hot and humid summer this phaelenopsis orchid blooming with all of it's profusion.

Some years ago I got this small "experimental" seedling just to see if I can bring it to flower. It have spent number of years on the back bench and I've been patiently waiting for it finally mature.  I have no idea what was crossed with what, but I think it's actually turned out quite a nice orchid.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Maxillaria tenuifolia

Maxillaria tenuifolia
Being one of the popular orchids for cultivation this maxillaria orchid also been one of my favorite for many years - it's very easy to look after and have the most amazing coconut scent.

In nature it grows in rain forests at low altitudes from Mexico to Nicaragua and hangs from tree trunks forming large clumps. It loves humid weather and in our climate it always blooms at the beginning of summer showing off it's beautiful red coconut scented blooms.

Friday, August 14, 2015

Oncidium Jiuhbao Gold “KBR”

Oncidium Jiuhbao Gold “KBR”  
My Oncidium Jiuhbao Gold blooming right now. It's a beautiful orchid with huge flowers and very nice clear colors. It always produce these large, flamboyant blooms at the end of our winter.

Oncidiums one of the largest genera in the orchid family, currently contain more than 600 species and as far as I remember there have always been name changes in the oncidium alliance, but this of course does not deter orchid growers and collectors - with such multitude of species there are many grown and enjoyed around the world.

There are also many handsome hybrids and varieties made with the species of this and closely related genera and my Jiuhbao Gold "KBR" one of these varieties that have bold, huge blooms that enjoyed by everyone.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Dendrobium bigibbum in flower

One of my dendrobiums currently flowering, another name for this orchid is Cooktown orchid and its Queensland's state floral emblem. It's native to northeastern Australia and PNG and many variations of color and form exists for this specie - from pure pristine white to dark purple this orchid delights with abundance of blooms during it's flowering season.

My Cooktown orchid white with many purple stripes at the end of the petals and always flowers at about this time of the year. These orchids are easy to grow for the beginner, not fussy, they like plenty of light and reduced watering in winter. The blooms are long - lasting and new flower spikes are forming during it's growing season giving recurring wonderful display of perfect, beautifully formed blooms.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Cycnoches loddigesii orchid “Wine Delight”



Cycnoches loddigesii orchid “Wine Delight”

This orchid was one of "impulse" purchases a few years back that happens to me from time to time and for a long time I had a bit of problem flowering it. The other name for this orchid is "swan orchid" because the blooms suppose to resemble swans.

The specie native to Brazil and the North of South America and lives in hot, steamy lowland habitats and for a long time I could not replicate it's growing requirements or the light factors. It died back quite substantially and spent a lot of time on the back bench however this summer decided to flower by sending a couple of flower spikes.
It just finished flowering and the blooms are quite interesting, deep wine color. I am still not sure if it need a lot of care or total neglect to induce blooming, so I am learning with this one bit by bit.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Dendrobium aemulum "Star Shower"

This beautiful native been with me for quite a few moons, originally purchased as a discounted plant in rather sorry condition yet recovered fully in it's first growing season. Every year it rewards with long spikes and massive displays of scented creamy flowers and usually blooms when all other orchids resting filling the gap nicely.

In it's native habitat it grows in moist areas of eastern Australia and loves plenty of watering especially at the beginning of it's flowering season. Other than that, it's very easy to look after and tolerates most conditions, in winter I grow it in a greenhouse in a sunny spot with some other natives and then take it out under the shade of the trees for the rest of the year.

"Star Shower" is a beautiful orchid, appreciated by everyone for it's masses of scented blooms that reward year after year.

Dendrobium aemulum "Star Shower?

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

My late flowering cymbidiums

Our cymbidium season well and truly over now and these beauties were flowering right at the end of our spring. I thought I'll show some of them here for everyone to enjoy their special blooms.
Now all of my cymbidium orchids on well deserved rest and I am looking forward to next flowering season.

Cymbidium Mem Marvin Gale "What's Going On"

Cymbidium "Orange Tango"
Cymbidium "Tropical Inferno"
Cymbidium "Passion"
Cymbidium "Pink Solitude"
Cymbidium "Luna Wall" x "Viva Las Vegas"
Cymbidium "Sussex Moon" x "Peteete Doll"
Cymbidium "Orange Dreamtime"

Saturday, November 17, 2012

My Miltoniopsis Orchids

Mps. Lillian Nakamoto "Tanto"


Mps. Pink Mooma "Yosemite Sam"






Couple of my Miltoniopsis orchids currently in flower and I love their bright, cheerful blooms. They are native to high altitude wet cloud forests in the Andes of Costa Rica and they have large, showy flowers with a large lip. Their common name is "pansy orchid" and they produce many brightly colored, fragrant flowers on vigorously growing plants.

Many hybrids have been made utilizing the bright colors and attractive flower shape. They are easy to grow and their native situation gives glue to their cultivation - they require cool conditions with high humidity and good air movement. No watering rest period, well drained, yet moisture retaining potting mixture and no direct sunlight.

My plants get a lot of shade during our hot months and their seems to love their situation, I get a lot of repeat flowerings from these orchids throughout the year and I feel that they well worth the modest effort required to see their flamboyant, striking blooms.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

NOID - Cymbidium Orchids

Here our cymbidium flowering season nearly finished, I still have a few late blooming varieties that are yet to put up a show, but I thought I'll feature a few beautiful cymbidiums that been with me for quite a few years, yet I have no idea of their names or origins.

Some were given to me by friends when they stopped flowering for them, some were rescued by me from old gardens being "redeveloped", others were picked up by me from the back benches of garden nurseries discarded, dried up and shriveled, not suitable for quick sale.
All of these plants gone through my "intensive orchid care unit" and with a bit of attention and patience  started flowering again and been rewarding me with their flamboyant blooms year after year. From my experience it does not take a lot to revive neglected plant - just quick checking of the root system, new fresh compost, shady situation in the garden and plenty of watering with occasional feed. And a bit of time to let the orchid to recover properly - after that just enjoyment and appreciation of these special plants.













Saturday, September 1, 2012

Lycaste Kiama Margaret AM/AOS


My Lycaste Kiama Margaret just finished it's flowering this season, it's an interesting hybrid (Lycaste Koolena x Lycaste Macama) that have large flowers and good color, making it's a nice addition to any orchid collection.

Lycaste - from the Greek word for nymph, this genus was dedicated to the daughter of Priam, last King of Troy and the blooms have regal appearance to them, for sure. I love the deep wine color of the petals with some white markings on the lips and always look forward every season seeing this beauty in bloom.

These orchids native to West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America where they grow on trees or rocks from near sea level to high elevations in the mountains and have pseudobulbs and large, thin leaves which are shed as the growths mature. In the home situation it means that they require good drainage and air movement, some shade in the middle of our summer. They love plenty of water while actively growing and then reduced watering in their resting period.

Another beautiful orchid that easy to cultivate for experienced orchid grower as well as beginner and will reward year after year with it's special, majestic, spectacular blooms.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Cymbidium orchid Cymbiflor Montage x Valley Zenith Discus

These days cymbidium orchids are the result of complex hybrids and produced and crossed to show unusual markings or larger flowers and this cymbidium have complex parentage. It's a cross of Cymbifor "Montage" x Valley Zenith "Discus" and it's currently in flower.

The blooms are very large, even for cymbidium, with many round petals, it have white extended lip with pale pink to dark burgundy colors and the effect is very nice, unusual blooms. While green color flowered orchids usually not as popular as other "traditional" colors, this one seems to work so well, it even have slight scent, very crisp and fresh.

I got seedlings of this plant couple of years ago and been looking forward seeing it in flower and this season it flowered first time for me. It would probably need another couple of seasons for the plant fully mature and reveal more of it's beauty and I am very happy with another beautiful cymbidium for my collection.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Cymbidium orchid "Love Potion"


Some of my cymbidium orchids started to flower now and I am hopping to showcase their beautiful blooms later on in this blog, some are old trusted plants that been with me for many years and others, like this "Love Potion" completely new to me.
I got small seedling of this orchid a few years back and it's spent all of this time on the back bench growing and maturing and finally this season decided to send flower spike with a few blooms, but what a blooms - they are large, showy, very interesting color with many tones to them from dark burgundy to lighter with a bit of brown in the mix. The effect is flamboyant orchid with "an attitude", just like Love Potion. Since it's been awhile, I don't even remember how it came to me, must of been one of the experimental seedlings that I get from time to time, hopping to see something unusual and different. Until it flowers one does not know, but I love surprises and Love Potion seems to be true to it's name.

And of course I could not resist original "Love Potion" written by The Clovers in 1959 and so well performed by The Searchers and a little trip down the memory lane:


I took my troubles down to Madame Rue
 You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth
 She's got a pad down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
 Sellin' little bottles of Love Potion Number Nine



 I told her that I was a flop with chics
 I've been this way since 1956
 She looked at my palm and she made a magic sign
 She said "What you need is Love Potion Number Nine"