Orchid of the day:Broughtonia sanguinea var. alba 'Karin', AM/AOS

Broughtonia sanguinea var. alba 'Karin', AM/AOS

This year our Broughtonia sanguinea ‘Karin’ produced four flower stems of which two are about 60 cm (two feet) and branching.  As of today, September 3, 2018, there are thirteen open flowers and thirty-three buds.  Including the current flowers and buds I estimate the total number of flowers produced since June to about 190.

Broughtonia sanguinea needs a lot of light to grow and flower well.  Direct sun during the middle of the day is not advisable, however, as the heat burns the flower stems to the extent that the entire tip of the flower stem with all its buds dry out and die.  Because of the length of the flower stems, this protection from the direct sun is easier said than done.

Fortunately, this year we have the possibility to hang the plant in a newly built wooden arbor where it can get the dappled sun light that it likes so much 

A) Photograph from 2014, after this orchid was awarded the Award of Merit by the American Orchid Society (AM/AOS).

B) The entire orchid in 2014. Small in comparison to it today. See post from July 2014.

C) Our Broughtonia hanging out in our arbor on August 19th with our other orchids.

D) The bright white blooms.

E) Still out in the sun, today September 3, 2018.

F) A final close up photo to conclude my post today.

I hope you enjoyed my post for this Labor Day weekend.

Orchid of the day: Rhynchovola Jimminey Cricket

Rhynchovola Jimminey Cricket

This is a primary hybrid, a cross between Rhycholaelia  digbyana (syn. Brassavola digbyana) and Brassavola nodosa (Lady of the Night). 

A) A close up of the individual flower on August 19th.

B) On August 14th, we still had 3 flower buds unopened. 

C) Three flowers fully in bloom.

D) By August 19th, six flowers were all in bloom.

E) Until today, all six flowers are still opened.

Until my next post, have a great week.

Orchid of the day: Vanda testacea

Vanda testacea

Arne bought this orchid in 2016 and it actually came out as a bonus plant when he purchased the Vanda Stephen Scott Young. The first time I posted about this orchid was on July 19, 2017.

A) Individual flower on June 25th.

B) Our Vanda testacea on June 16th.

C) At this time, we were expecting around 34 flowers.

D) By June 25th, almost all 34 flowers were opened.

E) 'Hanging' around outside in the backyard. 

Unfortunately by today, August 5th, all flowers are gone but we hope this orchid will be in bloom again next year. I hope you enjoyed my post today. Until next time, have a great week.

Orchid of the day: Paphiopedilum niveum

Paphiopedilum niveum

Paphiopedilum niveum belongs to a group of warm growing Paphiopedilum species with large white or pale yellow flowers from South-east Asia. Paph. niveum comes from the Malaysian Peninsular and is probably the warmest growing in the group. In addition to its well-shaped flowers that are almost snow-white (niveum) it has attractive mottled foliage.

Arne bought this orchid on January 21st, 2017, the same day as the Women’s March in Washington DC (and all around the world). So far based on his experience, Arne admits that this Paph. niveum is not the easiest growing species to grow. Perhaps our current growing conditions is not quite optimal for this plant as compared to our other warm growing orchids. For example, it is probably too cold for the two-three months during winter. The Paph. niveum seems to be much less forgiving in that respect.

Arne sees this as a challenge and aims to learn how to really grow this orchid well. After all, it comes from my birth region. If we finally find the secret to keep this orchid happy, I guess it will appear in this blog again next time! 

A) April 29th. 

B) July 4th. Took a little time before the flower bud developed.

C) By July 8th, the single white flower was completely opened.

 D) To the left, the flower in natural light; to the right, in our basement with the artificial lighting

E) Our Paph. niveum enjoying the Baltimore summer with our other warm loving orchids in the backyard.

I am happy to say, that until today, July 25th, the single flower is still in bloom and looking great. No signs of wilting as yet. That is why I love orchids! A challenge to grow but worth the wait.

Orchid of the day: Schoenorchis fragrans

Schoenorchis fragrans

Our Schoenorchid fragrans, from southeast Asia, which is one of the absolute smallest vandaceous orchids, is in full bloom again this July. I love this particular orchid because it was no bigger than a quarter when we first got it and now it has grown...actually not too much but we have about fifty flowers! See below.

A) Actual size today.

Below is when we began noticing the buds developing in late June.

B) We almost missed seeing these tiny buds. The leaves are thick and fleshy.

C) Another angle of the developing flower buds.

D) By July 4th, some of the flowers were already opening.

E) More flowers by July 8th.

F) By July 18 about 5 buds left to open.

I hope you enjoyed these tiny beauties, we certainly do. Until my next post, have a great week everyone!

Please visit my earlier posts regarding this orchid, you will see how many flowers have developed over the few years we have had this orchid. Interestingly, the entire plant remained miniature. Here are some of the links, July 19, 2015; August 2, 2017; July 23, 2016.

Orchid of the day: Tolumnia popoki 'Mitzi'

Tolumnia popoki 'Mitzi'

This orchid which is also called "Oncidium Dancing Lady"  was purchased in 2009. This miniature oncidium is also commonly called equitant oncidium. The intense purple to dark red hue has a tendency to fade away rather quickly, so by the time these photos were taken, the flowers looked a little 'washed out'.

A) By May 20, we have at least fourteen flower buds emerging from the single flower stem. 

B) The entire orchid in full bloom on June 14.

C) Beautiful blooms on June 14th.

I posted about this particular orchid in 2014. If you click on the link from 2014, you can really see how this orchid has grown. 

D) A final close up of our Dancing Lady.

I hope you have enjoyed the photos from my post today. Unfortunately, all the blooms have wilted away today. But these flowers do last for almost one month. That is what I love about orchids. 

Orchid of the day: Prosthechea mariae, formerly known as Encyclia mariae

Prosthechea mariae, formerly Encyclia mariae

A plant like Prosthechea mariae or formerly named, Encyclia mariae, will always attract attention.  Although the plant as such is very small, each growth produces an impressive flower stem with three to five large flowers in white and sharply contrasting apple green colors.  This year our plant had fifteen flowers and it really looked spectacular. Arne decided to display this orchid at the show table for the monthly meeting of the Maryland Orchid Society recently.  It was voted the best species and became the judges’ choice as the best plant for the evening.

Not many orchid growers have Encyclia mariae in their collections because of its reputation of being difficult to grow and I guess that adds to its aura of uniqueness.

A) Five flowers stems on May 20th.

B) By June 13th, all fifteen flowers had opened.

C) Zooming to one of the individual flower.

D) Flowers are still blooming as of June 24th.

I hope you have enjoyed my post today. This is one of the most impressive looking orchid in our collection. A beautiful specimen, native of Mexico.