Orchid of the day: Phalaenopsis lindenii

Phalaenopsis lindenii

 

Our Phalaenopsis lindenii is almost ten years old now. This native of the island of Luzon in the Philippines, is in the endangered list due to deforestation. Arne has been very satisfied with how this orchid has grown under his care. This is my 6th post about our Phalaenopsis lindenii.

In my two earlier posts, September 8, 2014, and September 20, 2015, there is a healthy looking fern that had attached itself to the top of the cork bark. I thought it looked lovely but Arne didn't think this was such a good idea. You see, the spores from this fern would spread and will settle on our other orchids. It may look lovely, but we don't want it to be a parasitic infestation. Arne had worked really hard over the last couple of years, and he had succeeded in removing the fern from this bark.

(A) In 2016 with fern still attached to the cork bark.

(B) A closer view of our Phalaenopsis lindenii in August 2020.

(C) Six opened flowers and seven buds.

(D) A delicate flower with yellow ochre speckles in the center of the lip. 

(E) Although the flowers are always appreciated, I find the varigated pattern on the leaves very beautiful.

(F) As of January 5, 2021, the stem has carried 21 flowers since August this year including the very last flower.

Amazingly, this orchid still has that very last flower!

Until my next post, please take care.

Khairul Bariah

Orchid of the day: Tuberolabium kotoense var. alba

Tuberolabium kotoense var. alba

This orchid is a native of Taiwan and grows well mounted with sufficient humidity. In our case, it is mounted on a piece of cork, draped in live Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), which creates a humid microclimate around the orchid. Arne bought this orchid from a well established orchid culturist in 2018. The flower stem holds numerous small pleasantly fragrant flowers which are surprisingly pure white and this would suggest that we have the alba form of this species.

(A) Staying humid, craddled in a nest of Spanish moss.

I checked the internet for images of Tuberlabium kotoense flowers, and sure enough, almost all flowers were white with purple color in the center on the lips. To confirm whether this is indeed an alba form, Arne reached out to the company and it was a pleasant surprise for them! We were lucky enough to obtain a rare alba variety of their Tuberlabium kotoense! 

(B) Bright and white flowers.

(C) A closer look.

(D) Although this orchid is doing well in our care, this is not an easy orchid to culture. New orchid enthusiasts, you have been warned.

Until my next post, to a brighter 2021 and stay safe.

Khairul Bariah