Dendrobium Queen Cobra

      As most of you know by now, I am in love with antelope style dendrobiums. This is a plant I received last year from a society members collection. This is the second blooming that I have had since then and it is getting better every time it blooms. There are two inflorescences with about 30 blooms/buds between the two. Also, there are about 10 canes on this plant. The parents are Den. Hula Girl x Den. Gold Flush and was registered back in January 1, 1968. This is planted in a bark mixture, as I received it, and in a 6-7 inch plastic pot. I have not re-potted it yet due to the nice healthy growth pattern of this plant. As for culture, the antelope dendrobiums are very tolerant and adaptable. I find that our weather here in N.E. Florida, being hot and humid in the summer, is quite well for these plants and they thrive in our conditions. I water 2-3 times a week with light fertilizer every watering. They are evergreen plants and do not require any rest in winter, but I do cut back on watering to every 4-5 days in the winter due to not as much evaporation as in the summer. Feel free to post any questions or comments below.

Blc. Memoria Mickey Boatwright 'Carmela'...

       This is such a reliable bloomer at the beginning of June every year. It has two flowers that never seem to turn just perfectly, but the flower is beautiful nonetheless. I have this growing in a 4" clay pot with my special mix of media. I grow it semi bright light under 50% shade cloth. It gets watered every 3 days from my automated irrigation. The flowers are well shaped with a nice red color to them. There is a slight fragrance of sweet spices. The fringe on the lebellum also looks like it has neon lights.

B. nodosa x Lc. Blue Boy 'Gainsborough'

       
        Here is another plant that I acquired last year from a society member's collection. I have it potted in a clay pot with my special media (if you don't know what it consists of, please scroll down and read the blog). The nodosa looks very dominant in this flower and the coerulea color from the Blue Boy has came out more purple in color. The flower form looks fairly nice in my opinion. It is flat with a somewhat symmetrical form. I keep this in between my Cattleyas and my Phalaenopsis plants. If you grow this like B. nodosa you should be fine. As for watering, I water this every 3 days on my automated system.

Psycopsis Pavone...

It has taken me a couple years to bloom this Psycopsis. I bought it a couple years ago from Roy of H&R Nurseries. It is quite a large bloom, bigger than my other psycopsis. This is the first bloom to open on a 36" inflorecense. There are two other spikes coming up also, so when they bloom it should be a nice little show. These plants are everblooming and the spikes should not be cut after the bloom has dropped. My other psycopsis has been blooming nonstop for almost 2 years now. It will usually slow down in the winter, but nonetheless continues to bloom year round.

My Greenhouse...

I started off with basic 10' x 16' metal carport and then beefed it up just a little to make it more rigid.

Then I added UV rated plastic on top and then installed 50% shade cloth over that so the plants wouldn't sunburn. On the sides I installed ribbed metal lathe that is used for stucco work. This also adds up to about 50% shade.

I then added some framing to the front and then back of the greenhouse. I also installed a sink and the benches to the house. I have water that I ran from existing irrigation pipe and set it to an automatic timer to water the plants.

Here it is with the front door and plastic added to the front and back. I also have plastic on the sides so they can be rolled down to totally enclose the greenhouse for winter and heated.

Here is a pic from the end of winter. Everything seems very happy. The tarp in the left rear is where I keep my phals. and bulbs. It stays a little darker back there and also more moist.

Dtps. King Shiang's Beauty x Dtps. Minho Valentine

        I so happened to be walking through Home Depot a week ago getting supplies for a job I had going on and happened to see this plant. Normally I wouldn't buy a plant from one of the box stores, but this had a name and it reminds me of a couple other plants that I own. I love the 'splash' flowers. I also have a Dtps. Champion 'Lightning' and a Den. Enobi Purple 'Splash'. Once I got home with this plant, I repotted it in a 4" clay pot and shpagnum moss. Some people will not repot while the plant is still flowering, but I do. The blooms can last for months and by the time you get to repotting it after the blooms die back it could be too late for the roots. My philosophy is that as long as you do not break, or disturb a lot of the good roots, then the plant will continue to bloom and not go into shock.

Lc. Canhamiana var. coerulea 'Azure Sky' AM/AOS

        This is a plant I received last September from a past member's collection. It is just like the other Canhamiana that I have, but this one seems to be a little darker in color than the 'Cobalt'. The flowers are not as big,compared to the 'Cobalt', but I believe that it has something to do with the size of the plants. This plant is not as mature as the other. This bloom just opened on Saturday so it may lighten up in a week. This is grown in my coarse potting mix made up of charcoal, tree fern, sponge rock and hydroton. I grow it in the greenhouse, of course, under 50% aluminet shade cloth.

Dendrobium Samarai

This is Dendrobium Samarai. I have had this plant for a couple years now and this is the first time it has bloomed. The parents of this plant are dendrobium antennatum and dendrobium stratiotes. Both of the parents look similar in color and shape and the blooms stand about 2" tall. I have this growing in a 6" clay pot and my special media mix that i blogged about a few posts ago.

Vanda coerulea

FLOWER:

PLANT:

        Vanda coerulea, commonly known as Blue Vanda or Autumn Lady's Tresses, is a species of orchid endemic (meaning that it is native or indigenous) to Assam and neighboring Khasi hills with its range extending to China. It has bluish purple flowers which are very long lasting compared to other orchids. The juice of the flower is used as eye drops for glaucoma, cataract and blindness. Active ingredients of Vanda coerulea may fight against visible signs of aging skin.

        I received this plant 20 months ago to the date. I had bought it at the South Florida Orchid Society show at the University of Miami on 10/01/10. I only remember the date because my wife was doing our friends wedding hair that day. While she went and worked, I got to drive down to the university and check out the show. I believe this plant cam from R.F. Orchids and this is the third time it has bloomed for me. I love coerulea flowers and have a few here and there. Hope you enjoy!

Den. Enobi Purple 'Splash'

        This is one of my favorite phalaenopsis type dendrobiums. I have had this plant, and a few more siblings, for a couple years now. I love how the pinkish, purple, splash goes around the edges of the entire flower and the labellum has that grain look in it. I first found out about this plant from a post on Orchid Board and fell in love with it. I have not seen too many of them for sale lately, but they are becoming more popular. I found mine on Ebay and bought a couple of them. When they arrived from shipping, there were a few keiki's and I potted them up. The keiki's are still about a year from blooming and when they do, I plan on selling and giving some away. 

Tropical Storm Beryl

So Beryl went through Jacksonville the last couple days. We were very lucky and didn't have any damage. The greenhouse was a safe haven for all my orchids and none were hurt. We lost power for about 5 hours during the night due to a huge oak tree that feel towards the back of the neighborhood. Here's hoping that all of your 'chids stayed out of harms way and the more importantly you and your family is safe from Beryl.

Potting media

        Potting media is one of the most important things we decide in growing healthy vibrant orchids. This is a mix that I make myself and plant probably 80% of my collection in. It consists of tree fern fiber, sponge rock, charcoal and hydroton. I got this mix recipe from the St. Augustine Orchid Society. I plant all my Cattleyas, some Vandas, and most of my Dendrobiums in this mix and they THRIVE. It is a great coarse mix that will not break down like the normal bark mixes out there. This allows for the plants to grow very well and to not be stressed by frequent potting every couple of years. I could probably water every day without having to worry about root rot, which is great, but I only water every 3 days in the late Spring and Summer. The other media I use are coconut husk chips mixed with some sponge rock and charcoal for my Encyclias and Oncidiums. The last media I use is sphagnum most mixed with a little sponge rock for my Phalaenopsis types and Catasetums. Them main point in determining which media to use is your growing conditions and where it sits in the green house.

Den. lasianthera 'Sepik Blue'

        Dendrobium lasianthera is a large sized, hot growing epiphyte from damp, humid river and streams in lowland forests of Papua and New Guinea below 100 meters in elevation with terete, erect stems carrying leaves throughout the length and have elliptic, coriaceous, emarginate, alternate leaves. The bloom season is from spring through autumn on an axillary, medium length to 1 to 2' [30 to 60 cm], several to many [10 to 30] flowered raceme with showy flowers that arises from the nodes near the apex of mature leafy canes with water and fertilizer applied evenly year round. The flowers average size is about 2.5 inches.
       This is a plant that I had bought off eBay. As the post yesterday, this is another antelope dendrobium. One of the more colorful dendrobiums in my opinion. This is still a young plant so hopefully it will get much taller and produce way more flowers over time. I have this growing in the coarse mix just as most of my plants do. It consists of tree fern, hydroton, sponge rock and charcoal. I haven't had this plant for too long so this is the first time I have seen it bloom, but I am very happy with the form and bright colors. I have thought about which of my dens. I could hybridize this with to get some really nice bright color formations. The last couple are opening up so I have a little time before the pollen goes bad. This will give me a chance to see what will be blooming somewhat in the future to plan the hybrid out right.

Den. Ong Hock Chye

       This is one of my favorite Dendrobiums. The parentage is Den. Liholiho x Den. strebloceras. I haven't been able to find a picture of Liholiho so I would say that the prominent parent in the cross is strebloceras because it looks a lot like it. This plant has been blooming since March and now has a total of 13 inflorescences which totals approximately 160 flowers. 

       The Spatulata section of dendrobium's are often referred to 'antelope' dendrobiums. They are called antelope dendrobiums due to their twisted, upright petals just like a wild antelope. Out of the 12,000 hybrids and 1,600 species, there are only 30 species that have these long twisted petals. The only place you can find these type of dendrobiums in the entire world are Papa New Guinea and the North East coast of Australia. Most are found overlaying rivers and some even by the ocean. I have currently bred this particular dendrobium with a few of my other antelope den's. and are currently forming seed pods which should be ripe enough in a few more month's to flask. Some of the plants will grow to be 5-6 feet and other plant will grow to be as big as a small onion. 

C. forbesii

About this species:  A cool to warm growing, medium sized epiphyitc or lithophytic species from Brazil found near streams or the sea coast on trees and rocks or on bushes under trees at elevations of 200 meters with slightly swollen pseudobulbs subtended by several membraneous sheaths and carrying 2 apical, oblong, coriaceous, spreading, rounded, notched apically leaves that blooms from autumn until spring on an erect, terminal, 4 3/4" to 6" long, 1 to 6 flowered inflorescence subtended basally by a sheath from which long-lived, fragrant, waxy, color variable flowers arise. Best grown mounted to tree fern or cork or potted in well draining medium, bright light, cool to warm temperatures and a warm humid summer and a slight winter rest after flowering.

Personal Note:  This is a plant I received from Blue Llama Orchids last year. This is my first time blooming it. I have it growing in a 4" clay, unglazed pot with media that consists of Hydroton, tree fern fiber, sponge rock, and charcoal. There is a slight fragrance to it and has been blooming currently for about 3 1/2 to 4 weeks now.

Blc. Canhamiana 'Cobalt' AM/AOS

Bloom:

Plant:

This is another orchid I received from a society members collection. This is a nice flower and for some reason I received two of them. One, I left as a nice specimen sized plant and the the I divided into two to three other plants. I also have the 'Azure' awarded plant, which is starting to make buds right now. I'll post a blog about it when it blooms. This is what they call a "blue" orchid. Since there is no such thing as a true blue orchid the "blue's" are typically a light purple color. Another name for the "blue" orchids are coerulea. This plant has about 10 blooms on it and is a nice sized plant.

Vanda Somsri Pink:

This is one of my Vanda's. It blooms regularly for me and is somewhat of a big plant due to its roots. Most people will grow their vanda's bare root. This is exactly what it sounds like. No media, and without a pot. You can see by the picture that the roots get very long and that the stalk of the vanda plant can also get somewhat tall. I received this plant a couple years ago at the auction table from the Jacksonville Orchid Society. You can grow vanda's in a wide span of condition from full sun to minimal sun. They do require air movement around them so water does not pond in the leave bracts of the plant which will cause the leave to grow mould and eventually fall off. I water this plant every day in the morning and if I am around I will mist it throughout the day also.  

Phalaenopsis Care:

 

         Most people are introduced to orchids through phalaenopsis orchids. These are the thick-leaved plants with elegant, arching sprays of blooms that can be seen in so many design magazines and sitting on coffee tables across America. There are about 60 true species of phalaenopsis; they are native to tropical Asian countries including the Philippines, Borneo, Java and elsewhere. These plants have been extensively hybridized, and there are thousands of phalaenopsis hybrids, ranging from the stark, classic white hybrid (often called a moth orchid) to jewel-like miniatures with clouds of yellow and candy pink blooms. 

 

Light:

 

Phalaenopsis are low-light orchids and will thrive in a east window, or a shaded southerly or westerly exposure. They do not like direct sunlight and will scorch. They also will do well under common grow lights, positioned about a foot off the plant. A well-grown phal will have darker green leaves on top and streaks of red or burgundy on the undersides.

 

Water:

 

The phalaenopsis is a monopodial orchid that grows from a single stem. It does not have the large water-storing pseudobulbs found on sympodial orchids, although its leaves can store some water. Thus, the plant has a lower tolerance for drought. During the growth season, water the plant whenever its exposed roots turn silvery white, usually weekly. Try to keep the potting media slightly damp. During the flowering season, you can cut the water back to every other week. The higher the humidity, the more important it is to maintain a good air flow around the roots and leaves. See Grower's Tips for watering advice.

 

Fertilizer:

 

During the growing season, fertilize with a weak orchid fertilizer weekly (weakly weekly, as the growers say). Cut fertilizer back to once a month during the winter and flowering season. Some growers like to give the plant a boost of blooming fertilizer in September or October to provoke a flower spike.

 

Temperature:

 

Generally, phalaenopsis are considered a warm-house plant. During active growth, they like temperatures between about 75 and 85 degrees, but they can adapt to a normal house temperature of 65 to 70 degrees. The higher the temperature, the greater the plant's need for humidity. However, they also like a nice contrast between night and day temperatures. See Blooming below for temperature tips.

 

Blooming:

 

Phalaenopsis typically bloom in the late winter or early spring. Their long-lasting flowers are held on arching branches and open successively. A single multi-branching flower spike can have more than 20 flowers. Individual phalaenopsis flowers can last for weeks. To induce a flower spike, the plant needs a few cooler nights, down to 55 degrees. The plants will not bloom well without this temperature contrast.

 

Potting and media:

 

Phalaenopsis can be grown in most orchid potting media, including chunks of pine bark, clay aggregate pellets, charcoal, perlite, sphagnum moss, and styrofoam. They can also be grown in hanging baskets or mounted on slabs in a greenhouse-type environment. As with all epiphytic orchids, they should be planted in free-draining containers. Repot phalaenopsis in spring, after the bloom is done. Adult phalaenopsis can often go for two years or more before they need to be repotted. I always recommend repotting the plant after bringing it home from purchasing it. Most of the time the nursery has jammed way too much sphagnum moss in the pot and will lead very quickly to root rot.

 

Grower's Tips:

 

Phalaenopsis are generally very rewarding plants. They are not demanding and, in the right conditions, they will reward the grower with months of showy blooms. It is vitally important, however, that water never be allowed to rest in the growing tip of the plant. This will cause the new leaves to rot, and the plant will die. Thus, they should only be watered in the morning. As with all orchids, the higher the humidity and temperature, the greater the need for turbulent air flow to prevent rot, fungus and diseases. Successful growth means finding the right balance between humidity, temperature, light and air flow.

Lc. Dorothy Warne 'Favorite'

Flower:

Plant:

Lc. Dorothy Warne 'Favorite' just opened up last night. It still has a little opening to do for the full openness of the flower, but it is quite remarkable. The 'splash' on the sepals are what makes this flower quite beautiful. I received this plant in a bundle bought from an old society member's collection. This is the first time it has bloomed for me. the flower is about 4" wide and long. Close to the size of the palm of my hand. There is a new lead growing which is to the right of the flowering pseudobulb and hopefully will bloom after these flowers have faded and fallen. These flowers should last about 2-4 weeks.

Enc. alata

Flower

Plant

I acquired this plant last year at the St. Aug. Orchid Society from Dr. Ruben Sauleda. Last year there was only one inflorescence and this year there are four nice, tall inflorescences. When these flowers bloom they have a very nice sweet fragrance similar to honeysuckle. The smell is so strong it attracts the bees and a lot of time they pollinate it.  

Encyclia alata:

This medium to large sized, hot to warm growing species is found from Mexico through Costa Rica ocurring at altitudes of 0-1000 meters, epiphytically on trees in open forests and occasionally terrestrially in soil pockets. They have ovoid-conical to pyriform pseudobulbs carrying 1 to 3 apical, linear-lanceolate, acute, tough leaves that are often tinged with purple. There can be diverse differences in flower morphology in this species most often in size and the shape of the lateral sides of the lip. It has a honey-sweet smelling fragrance and they bloom in the spring through fall on an apical, to 5' [150 cm] long, arching, branched inflorescence with many, variable in color and shape flowers.