Orchid of the day: Stelis quadrifida

Stelis quadrifida

Our mystery orchid has a name now, Stelis quadrifida. In my post on March 16th, 2015, I shared how this orchid 'hitch hike' onto the same tree fern of our Dendrobium jenkensii. Since it grew so beautifully, we have decided to separate the two orchids and now our Stelis quadrifida is growing well on its own.

A) A photo from my post last year, trying to figure out what this orchid was.

B) March 5th, close up of the tiny flowers of Stelis quadrifida.

This year we have 18 flower stems and on each stem, there are 20 flowers, a total of 360 flowers. Unfortunately the flowers do not bloom all at once and as each bloom it withers away rather quickly.

C) The entire orchid has grown very well on its own piece of tree fern. No longer a hitch hiker.

D) A view of the tree fern, holding the orchid in place.

E) A clear mix of the older tree fern piece and the new piece connected with metal wires and fishing line. Eventually, the roots will grow and wrap around the entire base.

F) Last year when our Stelis quadrifida (top) shared the tree fern with our Dendrobium jenkensii (bottom).

G) Up close photo of the flowers. Miniature orchids, and very delicate. The flowers are small, about 1/4 of an inch across from my March 16th post.