Orchid of the day: Vanda cristata

Vanda cristata

Arne acquired this plant in February 2018 as a seedling and I posted about it on June 30th, 2019. This compact Vanda comes from the mountainous regions of India and China. It prefers temperate to cool temperatures and so far, in our care, this orchid seems like a very fast growing plant.  In its second year now, and this time with five flowers.  Despite already reaching about 20 cm in height (8 inch) the plant is only about 10 - 15 cm across (4-6 inches) and appears quite compact. Vanda cristata does not like hot temperatures and Arne has kept it indoors during the hot Baltimore summer.

A) Five flowers in June.

B) Orchid roots wrapping the wooden frame.

C) A closer look at the root structure.

D) Dark purple 'batik-like' design on the lips.

Until my next post, be safe and stay sane 😏.

Khairul Bariah

Orchid of the day: Cattleya alaorii

Cattleya alaorii

Cattleya alaorii, commonly known as Laelia alaorii, is a miniature-sized orchid, endemic to an isolated mountain chain near Itabuna, Bahia state, in Brazil. They are found on trees up to 40 metres (130 ft), among the branches with a fair amount of sunlight. This orchid was named after Mr. Alaor Oliveira, who worked at the University of Sao Paulo at Piracicaba. He first collected this species in a field excursion in the late 1960s.

Each growth or pseudo-bulb, produces a single attractive flower which normally remains more or less cup-shaped rather than opens flat. C alaorii is a relatively warm growing species without any rest period and can bloom several times during the year. Arne acquired this plant in March of this year and this is its very first bloom in his care.

A) A single flower this first time.

B) Another orchid that Arne culture on a piece of bark. He does this well.

C) A closer look at the purple stained lip against the surrounding white petals.

Until my next post, please have a safe and pleasant week.

Khairul Bariah

Orchid of the day: Paphiopedilum niveum

Paphiopedilum niveum

Arne bought this orchid on January 21st, 2017, the same day as the Women’s March in Washington DC (and all around the world). Paphiopedilum niveum belongs to a group of warm growing Paphiopedilum species with large white or pale yellow flowers from South-east Asia. This particular Paph. niveum comes from the Northwest region of the Malaysian Peninsular, right at the border of Thailand. Because it is warm loving, Arne purchased a heat mat and placed this orchid on top of it. This orchid has well-shaped flower that are almost snow-white (niveum) and it has attractive mottled foliage.

A) The developing flower bud.

B) The cup shaped pouch is typical of a slipper orchid.

C) The column is tinted with yellow, while specks of magenta are visible in the inner petals and dorsal sepal.

Khairul Bariah