Orchid of the day: Aerangis luteoalba var. rhodosticta

Aerangis luteoalba var. rhodosticta

This orchid came to us in 2014. Aerangis luteoalba var. rhodosticta is a charming species from the central part of Africa.  Although very floriferous, it is not an easy plant to grow or even keep alive.  It seems to be very susceptible to fungal rot, still it wants a lot of water.  Due to this, Arne treats this orchid with a systemic fungicide at least twice a year, whether it seems to need it or not.  This is the fourth time it is blooming since 2014.  This time it has six spikes carrying a total of 48 flowers.

I posted about our orchid a few times before (February 1st, 2015; October 25th, 2015; September 24, 2016). I suggest you review these posts to compare how well this specimen has thrived over these few short years.

A) This is the only orchid from Central Africa that has yellowish white flowers (luteo-alba) with a bright orange-red column (rhodosticta).

B) An individual flower.

C) In early August, six flower spikes were developing.

D) A close up of one of the spikes.

E) September 17th, most of the flowers were emerging.

F) Two of the six floral spikes still had unopened flowers on September 17th. 

G) Today, we can see 48 flowers in bloom.

H) A beautiful photo of our Aerangis luteoalba var. rhodosticta to end the post today.

A new post will be back next week everyone.

Until then, as usual have a great week!

Orchid of the day: Vanda vietnamica

Vanda vietnamica

Here is another new Vanda in our collection, Vanda vietnamica which was rather recently discovered in 1993 in Vietnam. Arne has written a paragraph below to summarize the history of this beautiful orchid.

"Vanda (Christensonia) vietnamica was discovered in 1993 in Vietnam.  The species was clearly a small Vanda-like orchid but the flowers were so genuinely different that it was first placed in its own genus Christensonia, named after one of the most talented orchid biologists during the last 50 or more years, Dr. Eric Christenson (PhD in orchids).  Based on DNA comparisons, it was transferred to Vanda in 2012.  A young plant like the one featured here suggests that this is a miniature with an array of short leaves on a rather short stem but I know of plants with multiple growths and they supposedly can grow quite tall.  Coming from the low-lands of southern Vietnam, this species likes warm conditions all year around and less light than typical Vandas." ~ Arne.

A) On August 12, we noted four flower buds developing.

B) Zooming in the developing buds.

C) August 19, exciting to see how the flowers will look like!

D) View of the entire specimen.

E) August 26, all flowers blooming.

F) September 4th, the flowers were still intact but sadly, they are gone now.

Until my next post, have a great week.

Orchid of the day: Paphiopedilum dianthum

Paphiopedilum dianthum

I have posted about our Paphiopedilum dianthum several times since 2014 and once again, this reliable orchid is in bloom this time of the year.  Here are some links to previous posting; July 28, 2014, July 27, 2015 and August 7, 2016. We were very happy because we noticed this year, four buds appeared! But sadly, we lost one. On a positive note, we know this clone is capable of producing four. Hopefully next time, it will last and we may take it for judging! Wish us luck.

A) I missed the earlier stages of the inflorescence developing but here, we can clearly see four buds emerging.

B) Beautiful green buds.

C) Love the 'wild' orchid look of this specimen. A native to Southwestern China and Northern Vietnam, where the forest is semi-deciduous, evergreen with mossy wet areas.

D) Another view. These photos were taken in mid July and they are still flowering today.

E) Concluding with a close up of this 'spacey' looking flower.

That's my orchid of the day. I have a few more coming up so, look forward to that. 

Orchid of the day: Eurychone rothschildiana

Eurychone rothschildiana

We purchased this gorgeous specimen in 2015 and it has flourished since then. This Phalaenopsis-like orchid is native to the Central African region. The flowers are simply breath taking, with the delicate white hue merging to the intense green and finally darkening in the throat which then disappears into the spurs.  When receiving this specimen, it was recommended to pot not mount this orchid, and that is the charm. It has since grown quite well in Arne's hand. The specimen seem to flower at about the same time of the year, late August to early September.

A) Late July, seven buds were taking shape.

B) August 9th, we had six flowers. Apparently, the first flower wilted when the last one opened! Love the roots hanging right on top of the plant.

B) The intense green within each flower is really fascinating to see.

C) By August 12, all remaining flowers were in full bloom.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Our African beauty. Have a great week everyone.

Orchid of the day: Schoenorchis fragrans

Schoenorchis fragrans

Here is an update of one of the smallest vandaceous orchid in our collection, Schoenorchis fragrans. My first post for this orchid was on July 19, 2015 and then again on July 23, 2016. Arne wrote a fair bit about the background and we had Anthony posed with the new specimen (below).

This Southeast Asian beauty needs a lot of light but not too much water. It also emits a mild fragrance but until today, only Anthony seems to smell it...You may wonder, why is Anthony all over this post? Well, this tiny orchid is a good excuse for me to 'show off' my doggie to the orchid people. He is so patient and gentle when posing. He genuinely enjoy smelling the orchid and knows not to nibble on it. A blessing for Arne, no doubt!

A) Today, August 12, Anthony is 'wearing' our Schoenorchis fragrans on his collar. See how small it is!

B) Ok, ok, another cute pose from Anthony with the Schoenorchis fragrans.

C) We initially thought we would have about 48 tiny flowers but apparently it is around 54 today!

D) I love the colour of the individual flower. Purple with yellow in the middle. Although if you squint, you would probably miss it because they are so small!

E) This specimen does well mounted on this bark. All year long, we have it in our little orchidarium in the basement, bathe in strong light.

F) This was taken in July and you can still see some of the flower buds still closed.

G) Here is a picture from June. Amazing how different it looks like today. 

H) Slowly opening.

I) As you can see, this is a tiny orchid. Love it! It would definitely take an orchid enthusiast to find this gorgeous specimen!

Well, that's it folks! Until my next post have a great week. Love and peace.

Orchid of the day: Vanda Stephen Scott Young

Vanda Stephen Scott Young

With Arne's help, I've put this togehter as an introduction to our relatively new orchid, Vanda Stephen Scott Young, which is a primary hybrid between Vanda tessellata and Vanda testacea. Our Vanda testacea was featured in this blog on July 9th.  This hybrid was made quite recently and registered as late as 2015. Vanda testacea has generally intensely yellow flowers with a blue-purple lip whereas tessellate is very variable in color from very dark brown to light yellow. 

The tessellata selected for the cross was bright yellow, hence the very brightly yellow offspring.  A drawback that this hybrid shares with testacea is the tendency to get pollinated by ants.  Before you know it, the ants have been there and the lip loses its blue color and the whole flower wilts very soon after that.  The cross was named after the artist Stephen Scott Young.

A) Seven flowers in bloom, July 29th.

B) Our Vanda Stephen Scott Young in early April.

C) Gorgeous roots!

D) Flower buds opening in June.

E) At least three of the buds were opening.

F) A close up.

G) The entire plant, simply hanging outside. I really love the gigantic roots.

H) Today, August 5th, sadly some of the flowers have wilted. Possibly pollinated by ants. 

As usual, I hope you have enjoyed the photos for this post. Until next time, have a good week everyone!

Orchid of the day: Aerides houlletiana

Aerides houlletiana

Here is our orchid from South East Asia, Aerides houlletiana, which emits a lemon grass-like fragrance. I really love this orchid as it reminds me of the wild orchids back in Malaysia. Arne purchased this orchid at the Maryland Orchid Exhibition in March 2014. Since then, it has grown gradually into a healthy specimen. This year we have twenty four flowers.

A) Signs of future flowers, June 11th, 2017.

It always surprises me to see how the roots are all up in the air! In (A), the flower buds were developing in one single stem. The close up of the inflorescence is seemed in (B). I posted about our A. houlletiana in details, June 29, 2014 and then again on July 4, 2016.

B) Close up of the flower buds.

C) June 25th,  Aerides houlletiana out in the sun.

D) Flowers opening by July 4th.

E) All flowers in bloom by July 11th.

F) The blooms up close.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at our beautiful vandaceous air-loving orchid, Aerides houlletiana. Until my next post, have a good week everyone!