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

Orchid of the day: Vanda testacea

Vanda testacea

An update on our Vanda testacea for this year. This time around it has more than forty flowers on four flower spikes. Each flower remains in full bloom  up to three weeks, then it wilts. Basically, the flowers bloom in succession on the different flower spikes. The flowers are about 1.5 cm in size, with well-shaped yellow flowers with a bluish/purplish lip. The older the flower, the deeper hue of yellow the petals are.

A) 'Hanging' on the wall with the roots extending out to breathe.

B) I am constantly amazed by the roots of orchids.

C) In this picture, the top flower spike, has many buds waiting to open. Unfortunately, I will not be able to have a photograph showing all forty flowers at once. 

D) A focus on a single flower. Lovely purple lip.

E) The 'younger' flowers have a lighter shade of yellow (circled in red), compared to the more 'seasoned' flowers.

F) This Sri Lankan beauty has grown quite a lot in our care since 2016. Reliably flowering each year in Summer. See my posts from July 9, 2017,  August 5, 2018, and July 7, 2019.

Well, that's my post for this weekend. To everyone, have a good week and stay safe!

Khairul Bariah

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

Prosthechea mariae, formerly known as Encyclia mariae

This Mexican native has been in our cares since 2011. It is now a gorgeous beauty of nine years old and has rewarded us with six flower spikes and twenty flowers. Another example of orchids doing well mounted on a piece of bark instead of in a pot. I personally prefer orchids cultured this way. Of course you must have a very devoted orchid culturist to tend to it daily. That would be Arne.

A) In April, flower spikes were developing.

B) Over the years this orchid produced many pseudobulbs. As time goes by, these pseudobulbs drop off their leaves, leaving behind 'stumping-looking-green-fingers'. 

C) In June, all of the flowers were blooming.

D) Our orchid in 2012. How it has grown!

E) White delicate flowers.

F) These beauties are still in bloom today.

G) A magnificent specimen. Our favorite orchid and very reliable.

Until my next post, have a safe and relaxing July 4th weekend.

Khairul Bariah

Orchid of the day: Phalaenopsis parishii

Phalaenopsis parishii

This miniature orchid has a flower size under 2 cm (3/4"). In nature, this orchid is found distributed between India and the South East Asian regions. It loves the warm climate but prefers medium to low light to grow. Imagine it growing among moss covered trees in the jungle. I first posted about this orchid in 2014 and each year since, it keeps growing and produce more and more flowers.

A) A single flower one month ago.

B) Flowers blooming in mid May.

C) A brief moment in the sun.

D) Lovely purple lip, a contrast to the whites of the sepals and petals.

E) Doing well on the cork bark over the years.

I hope you loved the pictures of our miniature orchid today. Stay safe until my next post.

Khairul Bariah

Orchid of the day: Haraella retrocalla

Haraella retrocalla

This a rather new orchid in our collection. We bought our Haraella retrocalla in December 2018 during an excursion to a local orchid nursery. I convinced Arne to get it because it is a miniature vandaceous orchid from Taiwan. A quick google of the flowers, was enough for Arne to say yes. My first post was in July 27, 2019. It came in a small plastic pot but I had bought a coconut to get fresh coconut flesh for cooking and suggested Arne to use the nut shell which I was going to discard. Worked perfectly!

A) Two lovely flowers this time around, June 22nd.

B) The roots wrap themselves very firmly to the coconut shell.

C) Roots all around.

D) The lip has frills at the bottom and an interesting pattern. It does look like an insect is already sitting on it. A design to attract insects to drop by and help pollinate.

Hopefully more flowers next year! Thanks for reading my blog today.

Khairul Bariah

Orchid of the day: Paphiopedilum philippinense 'Khairul Bariah' AM/AOS

Paphiopedilum philippinense 'Khairul Bariah' AM/AOS

Our star, Paphiopedilum philippinense 'Khairul Bariah' AM/AOS slipper orchid. Awarded the award of merit (AM) from AOS on June 7th, 2014. This is a native of the Philippines, hence the name, and can be found in Northern Borneo as well. I love the wild exotic look of the flowers. Simply gorgeous.

A) Award in tow.

B) Flower buds developing from two spikes, 2 months ago.

C) A close up of the buds.

D) Ten flowers this year.

E) This orchid is getting bigger each year. 

F) The beautiful flowers with the purplish sepals.

G) Swaying in the wind.

H) Enjoying the sun for our photo session.

Unitl my next post, have a pleasant and safe work week everyone.

Khairul Bariah