Why not grow orchids?

[Calosphace]

1 minute ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Here's a reference for the Dendrobium..  Might look through AOS guides / related guides just for some additional opinions.  I myself would probably mount it. Hate growing Orchids in Sphagnum Moss, lol

https://newworldorchids.com/neofinetia-care-sheet/dendrobium-moniliforme-culture-sheet/

Cattleya / Sophrontis cenura.   I myself would probably bring it in.. Most info iv'e looked over regarding it's temperature tolerance suggests intermediate to warm, so it might frown on being exposed to anything below 50F or so.

While the plant itself can handle a few nights of upper 20s exposure, ...As long as it stays dry / frost / ice doesn't form on it,  imagine flowers / buds would be nipped if exposed to temps in the lower 30s..   Might consider moving it somewhere sheltered for the coldest night(s)..  Then again, being where you have it, that spot might not drop below 33, even if other, more open to the sky areas drop to the suggested low of 29-30F. 

Oh same lol it just came like that. I haven't bothered mounting it yet, planned on wrapped it to trunk of my trained elderberry (really nice furrowed bark) but I had been waiting since I thought it was losing its leaves soon, seemed like a bad time to disturb it when I couldn't "read" how the plant was doing but now it still has its leaves and we've had multiple nights in the 30s so... welp.. might just take it in for such a night and then properly mount it in spring

And yeah thanks for the input. I see it listed as that. Natural distribution extends into 10a, potentially 10a/9b border so I'm trying it out. Flowers likely are more delicate but I'm willing to sacrifice them for this info. I will shift it to a more protected spot, it's currently in a narrow north-facing sideyard on a crape myrtle... so I'll put it under a broadleaf evergreen on south-facing sideyard instead before sunday.

[Silas_Sancona]

18 hours ago, Calosphace said:

Oh same lol it just came like that. I haven't bothered mounting it yet, planned on wrapped it to trunk of my trained elderberry (really nice furrowed bark) but I had been waiting since I thought it was losing its leaves soon, seemed like a bad time to disturb it when I couldn't "read" how the plant was doing but now it still has its leaves and we've had multiple nights in the 30s so... welp.. might just take it in for such a night and then properly mount it in spring

And yeah thanks for the input. I see it listed as that. Natural distribution extends into 10a, potentially 10a/9b border so I'm trying it out. Flowers likely are more delicate but I'm willing to sacrifice them for this info. I will shift it to a more protected spot, it's currently in a narrow north-facing sideyard on a crape myrtle... so I'll put it under a broadleaf evergreen on south-facing sideyard instead before sunday.

Yea.. i wish they wouldn't send stuff wrapped in that stuff,  but, ..is what it is.. No worries if just temporary..   While it is better, generally, than receiving them bare root, any time i pick up Plumeria,  rooted in generic, whatever they use " grower's soil ",   it is completely rinsed off when i repot, or plant out.  Same with some cacti since some growers, even here, like to go the extra cheap route, instead of using proper soil mixes. 

Elderberry sounds like a good mounting candidate..  Tempted to get a hold of a couple Cork Oak seedlings ..and/or one of our tougher, shorter native Oaks, and grow them up to about 10 - 15 gal size for a similar purpose.. 

[miamicuse]

One of my Brassolaelia Yellow Bird really got busy blooming after the recent chilly weather.

[Calosphace]

It has taken it 3 days to open probably due to temps (31 at night) but here is Cattleya cernua sourced from Andy's,  it is quite cute !

 

Looks like Laelia anceps is still a ways off so I don't think I will get opportunity to cross them unfortunately

[Tracy]

On 1/18/2024 at 8:31 AM, Calosphace said:

Laelia anceps is still a ways off

It is late season here for Laelia anceps.  I did have this hybrid Laelia anceps roeblingiana 'La Jolla' x L anceps gigas which just opened another flower, but most of my Laelia anceps and hybrids opened earlier in the winter or technically in late Autumn.  I have another cutting from this plant that I mounted on a piece of cork bark and it opened about a month ago.

[John hovancsek]

Everyone on here has such beautiful orchids 

[piping plovers]

I finally made the time to join my local orchid society in RI.  Our neighboring orchid society in Massachusetts, the Cape Cod and Islands (Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard) or CAIOS —-invited us to participate in their wonderful show this past weekend in Hyannis.  CAIOS did a fantastic job hosting this event.

Beautiful displays from the local orchid societies in MA, CT and RI. The vendors had some nice offerings. Ecuagenera was Also there.  A small venue but was nice to be around so many blooming orchids on a freezing cold January day and around such committed local orchid enthusiasts.

It was my first time entering plants for any show and was happy to hear that my two orchids each won a 2nd place ribbon for their corresponding class. One for a miniature cattleya alliance class and the other for Brassalova species class. Here they are below.:

 

So many great orchids on display; it was overwhelming to photograph.  Some highlights below:

 

…and a fellow member of our local society won best in class for a window-sill grown orchid for her beautifully grown Angraecum sesquipedale (I think there was some discussion on this orchid recently in this thread and referred to as Darwin’s orchid). Was so happy for her. 😁🙏

 

[Silas_Sancona]

25 minutes ago, piping plovers said:

I finally made the time to join my local orchid society in RI.  Our neighboring orchid society in Massachusetts, the Cape Cod and Islands (Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard) or CAIOS —-invited us to participate in their wonderful show this past weekend in Hyannis.  CAIOS did a fantastic job hosting this event.

Beautiful displays from the local orchid societies in MA, CT and RI. The vendors had some nice offerings. Ecuagenera was Also there.  A small venue but was nice to be around so many blooming orchids on a freezing cold January day and around such committed local orchid enthusiasts.

It was my first time entering plants for any show and was happy to hear that my two orchids each won a 2nd place ribbon for their corresponding class. One for a miniature cattleya alliance class and the other for Brassalova species class. Here they are below.:

 

So many great orchids on display; it was overwhelming to photograph.  Some highlights below:

 

…and a fellow member of our local society won best in class for a window-sill grown orchid for her beautifully grown Angraecum sesquipedale (I think there was some discussion on this orchid recently in this thread and referred to as Darwin’s orchid). Was so happy for her. 😁🙏

 

Congrats!! ...To have won two ..TWO.. 2nd place showings,   ...that's a pretty impressive first  impression to make..    A diverse selection of well grown specimens in the mix as well..

Sounds like your area is not devoid of some great Orchid growers. Neat to see Cymbidiums  growing up there too..  Cool that Ecuagenera was there also..  I assume you added something from them, lol😁

[piping plovers]

18 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Congrats!! ...To have won two ..TWO.. 2nd place showings,   ...that's a pretty impressive first  impression to make..    A diverse selection of well grown specimens in the mix as well..

Sounds like your area is not devoid of some great Orchid growers. Neat to see Cymbidiums  growing up there too..  Cool that Ecuagenera was there also..  I assume you added something from them, lol😁

Nathan, yes. And thank you for the kind words 😁.  Really interesting to learn about the registration and judging classifications.  Glad to have had the knowledgeable guidance of senior members of my local club in navigating the process.

Some of the large blooming cymbidium hybrids for sale were amazing.  So much activity around that vendor.  My friend got there early and got a beautiful pink hybrid; the barely-opened blooms looked like opening blooms of pink peonies.  Gorgeous.

Was elated to see ecuagenera.  Their staff is always top-notch too. I only brought $100 cash and didn’t dare take out my credit card.  I don’t have room.  For very reasonable prices, I did get the Bulbophyllum medusae I’ve been wanting and a sultry looking C. Maxima variety that looks like nothing else in my collection 😁

Bulbophyllum medusae And after potting 

and the C. Maxima variety

 

 

 

[Silas_Sancona]

16 minutes ago, piping plovers said:

Nathan, yes. And thank you for the kind words 😁.  Really interesting to learn about the registration and judging classifications.  Glad to have had the knowledgeable guidance of senior members of my local club in navigating the process.

Some of the large blooming cymbidium hybrids for sale were amazing.  So much activity around that vendor.  My friend got there early and got a beautiful pink hybrid; the barely-opened blooms looked like opening blooms of pink peonies.  Gorgeous.

Was elated to see ecuagenera.  Their staff is always top-notch too. I only brought $100 cash and didn’t dare take out my credit card.  I don’t have room.  For very reasonable prices, I did get the Bulbophyllum medusae I’ve been wanting and a sultry looking C. Maxima variety that looks like nothing else in my collection 😁

Bulbophyllum medusae And after potting 

and the C. Maxima variety

 

 

 

  Your welcome..  ..Don't care if it is a Cactus, some unusual Bonsai, or an Orchid.. If a hobby grower can bring their plant(s) to a meeting or show, and gain enough respect from any judges that their plant(s) receive a ribbon, that is a great sign that the grower knows what they are doing..  Not why we grow stuff of course,  but it is a nice confidence booster.

Nice that you were able to get ahold of the Bulbo. Specimen looks well grown, right out of the gate.. Cattleya looks very alluring as well. From what i've read,  C. maxima seems it may be quite adaptable as well ..some forms at least. Those supposedly can take temps down to 39 or 40F.  Any crosses w/ Laelia anceps  could result in crosses that can take temps down to 32F ..of just a deg or two lower when grown outdoors.

Will always have a soft spot for Cymbidiums  since these were one of the first Orchids i became familiar with growing up.. They were one of the first lessons on how to repot / divide -any-  plant as well. Grandparents / Aunts on that side of the family grew them outside in CA and this time of year was a special since most of their plants flowered at this time..   One of the trips up to Rod McLellan's old location was to look for something new to add to the collection. That was the first place my " Orchid Views " were expanded.

As much as i like the " upright " bloomers, really like the cascading types that can be hung..  Had  Cym. " Sara Jean ' Ice Cascade ",  Mary Green ' Spring Wind ',  and  ' Cricket ' for awhile.. Wish i still had them..  There was a nursery in San Jose that would bring in both types ..roughly..  about now.  I could have broken the bank ..a couple times.. trying to purchase one of each of the cascading types, lol.

Hanging out at Eucagenera's booth was a highlight of my trip to the Redlands Festival in FL.. As you said, extremely nice people and very helpful..  I'm sure i'll be purchasing something from them as soon as possible..  Would enjoy spending a couple hours at the CA location. 

..Agree entirely,  DON"T bring your CC / DC to -any- serious plant sale / show ..esp. one devoted to Orchids.  Wayy too tempting, haha.

[Cindy Adair]

 

Can anyone name this one?

It was on display in Homestead FL several years ago and had no tag that I could find. 

Thanks!

[Tracy]

While we can often determine the time of year by many orchid blooms in the garden, it is also fun to have species that can pop and do open blooms throughout the year.  This is one of my most consistent bloomers throughout the year blooming again  Cleisocentron gokusingii (merillianum).

[realarch]

On 1/27/2024 at 12:46 PM, Cindy Adair said:

 

Can anyone name this one?

It was on display in Homestead FL several years ago and had no tag that I could find. 

Thanks!

Boy, what a stunning orchid……….your search for an ID continues.

Tim

[aabell]

On 1/27/2024 at 5:46 PM, Cindy Adair said:

 

Can anyone name this one?

It was on display in Homestead FL several years ago and had no tag that I could find. 

Thanks!

If it helps, this appears to be a peloric Dendrobium (peloric meaning a mutation, in this case the white markings on the lip also appear on the petals). I did a few searches and found some similar hybrids but no exact matches, this one must have been quite unique. 

Edited January 31, 2024 by aabell

[Silas_Sancona]

On 1/27/2024 at 3:46 PM, Cindy Adair said:

 

Can anyone name this one?

It was on display in Homestead FL several years ago and had no tag that I could find. 

Thanks!

Thinking this is a cultivar involving one ..or a cross between... two sps. within the  Phalaenanthe  section of Dendrobium  ..Possibly D. bigibbum  ( ..which has been listed as D. phalaenopsis,  https://www.orchidweb.com/section-phalaenanthe-spatulata-dendrobium-orchid-care  though both are listed as separate sps. ..At least within the AOS article below)

https://www.aos.org/orchids/orchids-a-to-z/letter-d/den-sec-phalaenanthe.aspx

As far as the " particular " cultivar?  you might ( ...if you haven't yet ) pose the ID question over on the Orchid Board.. Imagine one of the Dendrobium  gurus over there will probably recognize it ...Or at least be able to whittle down a list of possibilities.

Very unique color combo regardless.

[Cindy Adair]

Thanks for narrowing down the possibilities and suggestions of where to ask next… 

[Paradise Found]

Any guess what type this one is? I saw this one in a Art gallery last summer very realistic looking even has a bug on it LOL.  
 

Edited February 4, 2024 by Paradise Found

[Silas_Sancona]

3 minutes ago, Paradise Found said:

Any guess what type this one is? I saw this one in a Art gallery last summer very realistic looking even has a bug on it LOL.  
 

Looks like Spotted Coralroot, Corallorhiza maculata, probably the western subsp. ( C. maculata v. occidentalis )   https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/49475-Corallorhiza-maculata

[Paradise Found]

Good guess you are right!🤗

That didn’t take long. LOL.   

[Silas_Sancona]

51 minutes ago, Paradise Found said:

Good guess you are right!🤗

That didn’t take long. LOL.   

Because Orchids were one of my " Pillar " Plants, ( Pillar Plant = first group of plants you became familiar with as soon as you could walk / talk.  )   this Genus / related Genus of native Orchids were one of the first groups of " California / Western Natives " i delved into ..quite deeply.. when i first started studying  our natives in general.. 

It and Striped Coralroot  grow in the Santa Cruz Mountains near my old neighborhood in San Jose, and any time i was out wandering in the woods, i was looking for them. ..Pretty sure i spotted the dried up remains of Striped Coralroot  once  ..while on a camping trip down in Big Sur,  rather than within walking / short hiking distance of where i grew up.  lol.

Both sps. grow in some of the mountain " islands ", and in various spots up on the rim here in AZ as well.  

While i remember seeing live specimens on display at an Intnat. Orchid Show / Expo event i'd attended,  they are very hard to cultivate   ..Since they don't photosynthesize /  are entirely dependant on soil dwelling Fungi, correct type(s)? of Mycorrhizae have to be well established in the soil.  Anything that might harm the Fungi, kills the Orchid.

[Paradise Found]

Interesting stuff do they grow in WA or OR as native orchid?

[Silas_Sancona]

31 minutes ago, Paradise Found said:

Interesting stuff do they grow in WA or OR as native orchid?

Following 3 or 4 sps ..maybe a couple others should be pretty common up there.


















 A few of that occur here / in nearby Mexico were recently recently reassigned to the genus Bletia ..But are still commonly called " Coralroots "

Edited February 4, 2024 by Silas_Sancona
edit

[Paradise Found]

A neighbor of mine had bletia orchid on the east side of her house  and they were really eye catching when in bloom.  

[Silas_Sancona]

28 minutes ago, Paradise Found said:

A neighbor of mine had bletia orchid on the east side of her house  and they were really eye catching when in bloom.  

Bletila or Bletilla?..

First are rarely seen in cultivation ( Which makes no sense since they are native to this hemisphere ..at least 2 or 3 sps occur in the TDF / Oak - Pine woodland transition areas in the Sierra Madre Occidental, literally just south of me,  lol )  Bletilla  ** See iNat. data below **   is the Genus of Bletila look -alikes   from Asia   that is commonly seen in cultivation.  

Great Terrestrial Orchid option, esp. for colder areas regardless.  Plat Delights offers a few really nice color forms.

[Paradise Found]

Yes she had the Asian ones they looked really nice up against her Spanish house. They are easy to get from bulb companies. I used to have some and they spread like wildfire. 

   

[Silas_Sancona]

34 minutes ago, Paradise Found said:

Yes she had the Asian ones they looked really nice up against her Spanish house. They are easy to get from bulb companies. I used to have some and they spread like wildfire. 

   

A nursery here has offered starters of one of the Bletia sps but i've missed purchasing it every time it was offered, lol..   I'll bet it is quite hardy. ( Grows in some fairly warm / dry for months areas down in Sonora -Mex.- ).

[Silas_Sancona]

Fantastic story about the potential revival of Vanilla production in Mexico ..Where Vanilla originated in the first place..

https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/in-the-mexican-city-that-once-perfumed-the-world-a-push-to-revive-vanilla/ar-BB1hNneP

[piping plovers]

On 1/22/2024 at 11:57 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

As much as i like the " upright " bloomers, really like the cascading types that can be hung..  Had  Cym. " Sara Jean ' Ice Cascade ",  Mary Green ' Spring Wind ',  and  ' Cricket ' for awhile.. Wish i still had them..  There

Nathan, I finally looked these up and I can see why you would want to have them again in your collection.  The Mary Green ‘Spring Wind’ is especially beautiful and I made a note of that one.

hopefully you can find all of them again!

 

[piping plovers]

Gongora fulva in bloom again.  A pale scent relative to Stanhopea but still very pleasant and fills the sunroom with a wonderful fragrance.

 

[Silas_Sancona]

On 4/30/2019 at 10:17 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

Ahem, lol.. Did someone say Cymbidiums?? 

Some pictures i'd forgotten were on my Facebook page, taken at a nursery back in San Jose. 2012.  Can't wait until i can grow  * a few * again..

@piping plovers

A " Blast from the past "  post of some shots of the Cymbidiums  i'd mentioned..  Highly doubt i could get any of these to grow here, so i'll have to wait.. ( ..but,  you never know, ha ha )  That said, you can see why i could have emptied my wallet ..a couple times,  lol pursuing some of these offered  at this particular nursery at that time.

Wish i'd written down what the cultivar names of the hanging types were..  Not any of the ones i'd mention i had grown.

[piping plovers]

8 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Wish i'd written down what the cultivar names of the hanging types were..  Not any of the ones i'd mention i had grown.

Such intricate and interesting markings on these.  And that 2nd photo, pendulous magenta, just wow!

[Silas_Sancona]

Just now, piping plovers said:

Such intricate and interesting markings on these.  And that 2nd photo, pendulous magenta, just wow!

That particular nursery was one of the few  independently owned nurseries in San Jose  that would bring in interesting stuff from time to time. Luckily, they're still in business..

  Not the first time they brought in Cymbidiums, but  ..was the first time i'd seen such a variety of them there ..or anywhere outside of say an Expo event, or Orchid specialty nursery like Santa Barbara Orchid Estate..   Pendant- flowered one you mentioned was one i definitely had my eye on.

 

[piping plovers]

Snow on the roof and a cheery Den. Chrysotoxum var Susvissimum blooming indoors.

 

Lc. Irene Finney ' Springs Best' has 2 leads blooming. If I can pull it out of its corner without breaking any buds, I’ll post a better photo later.

 

And a reliable supermarket phal, with no name or pedigree that I know of, but I really find it especially beautiful.

 

Sunroom is busting at the seems. Only ten more weeks and I can kick em all outdoors 😁  I love them all dearly but I want my house back again.

 

 

 

[aztropic]

Bought a few new plants to get that "orchid scent" throughout the house; before they are put in the greenhouse for the summer!😄 

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[96720]

@aztropic do you buy those locally or mail order them?

[aztropic]

These were bought mail order,although there are 2 good local shows coming up if you would like to buy in person. I expect to attend both.

The Tucson Orchid Society Show

"Fiesta de las Flores" is scheduled for:March 2 & 3, 2024

Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery

8005 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85710

 

DVOS AOS judged ORCHID SHOW is scheduled for:March  23 & 24, 2024

Berridge Nurseries

4647 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018

Saturday 9AM-5PM

AOS Judging on Saturday at 10am

Sunday 10AM-4PM

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[Tracy]

On 2/19/2024 at 10:00 AM, piping plovers said:

Snow on the roof and a cheery Den. Chrysotoxum var Susvissimum blooming indoors.

 

Lc. Irene Finney ' Springs Best' has 2 leads blooming. If I can pull it out of its corner without breaking any buds, I’ll post a better photo later.

 

And a reliable supermarket phal, with no name or pedigree that I know of, but I really find it especially beautiful.

 

Sunroom is busting at the seems. Only ten more weeks and I can kick em all outdoors 😁  I love them all dearly but I want my house back again.

 

 

 

That Dendrobium chrysotoxum seems early to bloom.  Perhaps because it is growing indoors as opposed to mine growing outdoors.   Nice winter blooms!

[Tracy]

Cymbidium blooming season in my garden.  Several of the Australian Dendrobiums are loaded with buds but no buds on any of my Dendrobium speciosum.   I noticed the absence of buds on them a couple of weeks ago so added a bloom fertilizer to their water, but I may have started too late. 

[piping plovers]

34 minutes ago, Tracy said:

That Dendrobium chrysotoxum seems early to bloom.  Perhaps because it is growing indoors as opposed to mine growing outdoors.   Nice winter blooms!

Thank you! And yes, good observation—-they are early this year. I think the plant lights moved things up a bit.

[canefan]

Mcv.  Francis Fox