Orchid of the day: Cattleya Love Knot (formerly Laeliocattleya (LC) Love Knot

Cattleya Love Knot

I've posted about this orchid on February 8th, 2014. At that time, we called it Laeliocattleya (LC) Love Knot but now it is called Cattleya Love Knot. The seed parent is Cattleya sincorana and the pollen parent is Cattleya walkeriana. The orchid was doing very well that we split it into 2 pots and we are happy to say, both are producing flowers this year!

B) April 26th, 2015. One of the pots with 2 buds.

C) A side by side comparison of both pots on April 26th. 

D) A close up of the blooms on April 29th.

E) It wouldn't take long before the two buds on the left will open up.

F) May 9th, all flowers opened. What beautiful flowers.

Never a dull moment in my household with regards to flowering orchids. I have a few waiting to be posted in my blog. Some seem to be flowering at the same time. Another post will be following soon!

Orchid of the day: Dendrobium jenkensii

Dendrobium jenkensii

A) Two orchids on one tree fern, March 16th, 2015.

I wrote a post about the 'mystery' orchid growing on top of our Dendrobium jenkensii on March 16th, 2015. In photo (A), I wrote the 'mystery orchid as a Pleurothallis ghiesbreghtiana but an orchid expert corrected me that it it a Stelis quadrifida. I found at the time, the Stelis quadrifida fascinating and I felt I've convinced Arne to separate it from this tree fern and re-locate it. Hopefully we can enjoy the beauty of these two different orchids as they bloom at their optimal times. 

B) April 26th. Don't know how I missed but our Dendrobium jenkensii bloomed!

Roughly one month later, our Dendrobium jenkensii was flowering. We might have to wait a few more weeks before we can 'try' to relocate the Stelis quadrifida to another home.

C) A close up of the flowers above. Four buds still waiting to open.

I've asked Arne to put a little something about our Dendrobium jenkensii this time. He was so happy to see the buds developing as we have fewer flowers last year (see post February 2nd, 2014). He was a little worried this year because it didn't flower in February!

"Dendrobium jenkinsii belong to the Dendrobium section Callista.  They all want a warm summer with a lot of light and water but when fall arrives, water should be reduced to almost nothing but the plants should still receive a lot of light.  Then they need a period of cold temperatures for a month or two, still with a lot of light.   If all this works out they flower profusely in spring with a cascade of yellow flowers.  Needless to say they are all very tricky to get to flower, probably the trickiest that I know.  Dendrobium jekinsii is one of the most difficult, but its larger brother/sister Dendrobium lindley is even worse.  Nevertheless, they are worth all efforts." by Arne.

D) April 26th. A little closer now.

E) April 29th, 2015. They sure look good this year.

F) This photo clearly shows the contrast between the Stelis quadrifida on top, (minus the flowers), and the Dendrobium jenkensii at the bottom (with all its blooms).

I hope you've enjoyed my post today. I have been quite busy but have not stopped taking photos of our orchids. When I get a free moment, I'll post more. And I'd like to conclude by wishing you all 'Happy Memorial Day'.

Orchid of the day: Tolumnia tequila sunrise

Tolumnia tequila sunrise

Once again, another orchid that does well cultivated mounted on the cork. There is a lot of love and labour involved in the cultivation of mounted orchids. Arne really devotes many hours on these mounted orchids and their successful flowering is the reward we both enjoy. I think it it worth sharing with other orchid lovers.

A) Dec 14, 2014. a flower stem was emerging.

B) The side profile of the young flower stem.

C) January 18, 2015. The stem elongating and small flower buds were developing.

D) March 1st, 2015. Clear development of the buds.

E) March 29th, 2015. We noticed at least five flowers breaking through.

F) With patience, on April 12th, four flowers were opening out, displaying their brilliant colours.

G) The beautiful flowers up close. They give the impression that they have a velvet texture.

H) Three buds still waiting to burst.

I) On April 26th, only three buds  left!

Today, all seven flowers are open. I really enjoy the intense yellow and deep red shades of this orchid. The similarity in shape to Tolumnia popoki 'Mitzi', also known as 'Oncidium Dancing Lady' is striking (post dated June 11th, 2014). But the colour of this Tolumnia tequila sunrise is so much more intense, in my opinion, of course.