Orchids

[chickadeedeedee]

This is a Dend. 'Apple Blossom' is the variety (I think.) I'll find another that has a better view.

[Deleted]

Yep! That's the leaf/cane look alright! Totally different flowers, though

[chickadeedeedee]

WooooHoooo! ;D Probably need the same sort of care.... Allow to dry out between waterings, feed weakly (very weak concentration of plant food with each watering), humidity as for the Moth Orchids or higher, good air circulation and LOTS of light. Here's two more Dends.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

[chickadeedeedee]

That first one I posted is 'Apple Blossom'.

[Deleted]

A quick update on the Phaleanopsis I 'rescued' from work.....I followed Andy and Pam's advice and it's getting ready to flower again ;D
I only made the 'rescue' in March , and since then have made friends with the flower arrangement lady in order to contine my plant rescue's

[Chuckles]

I used to save plants from our office GH, they used to dump them what a waste

Anyways, what I came to say was ....just been in the ladies room and one of mine has thrown up a flower spike ;D not sure which one though coz I've got them all in one pot

[andy]

One of the nicest orchids i grew was a zygopetalum. Medium sized with green and purple speckled flowers that lasted for months....and smelt devine. They're among the "easy to keep" orchids.

[Chuckles]

This the one of mine that is scented Andy, hope it's that one that is showing the flowers stem

Thnk it is Beallara Tahoma Glacier

[chickadeedeedee]

andy said:

One of the nicest orchids i grew was a zygopetalum. Medium sized with green and purple speckled flowers that lasted for months....and smelt devine. They're among the "easy to keep" orchids.

Awwwww. I had a Zygopetalum. Operative word there is had ... until one of the cat's, Maggie, discovered the plant and thought it should become a toy and a meal. OK. *If* she needed it that badly that's OK, but ....

Did she have to add insult to injury by puking up the chewed plant afterwards?

Very pretty flower, Chuckles!

[Pip]

Cat or no cat C3D you really do seem to have green fingers as regards to Orchids and most plants it seems.

Well done, they all look splendid.

Pip

[Deleted]

I was given this Phalaenopsis a few days ago as a thank you - lucky me! ;D

[chickadeedeedee]

WOW! Stunning colours! And TWO flower spikes! Quite the "Thank You."
Yes indeedee. Lucky you. ;D

[chickadeedeedee]

This little guy has been blooming for more than a month now in my kitchen window...

Dendrobium aberrans a native of New Guinea.

It is a lovely miniature of the Latourea section with 3 inch bulbs that are swollen toward the top. He's got 2 to 3 oval dark green 1 inchl eaves with pointy tips and numerous wiry apical spikes each carrying half a dozen long lasting 3/4 inch circular flowers that are creamy white with a pure white bi-lobed lip.

Best to keep moist year round and watered 4-7 times weekly ... as needed depending on conditions. They are Winter and Spring blooming and best grown in bright indirect light (2500-3500 Footcandles). Ideal temperature range is 55°F min. to 85°F max.

C3D

[Deleted]

What a little sweetie C3D - I love all things in miniature. ;D

[Chuckles]

I have 3 Orchids but only one in flower atm



I think it's called Oncidium (ornithorhyncum) sharry baby 'yellow flash' from researching on the internet, it has a lovely perfume to it.

If you get the T&M e-mails you will have seen this already plants.thompson-morgan.com/product/82158/1/?OC=WSE013 what a beauty, anyone ordering it ;D

[Deleted]

greety said:

I have 3 Orchids but only one in flower atm



I think it's called Oncidium (ornithorhyncum) sharry baby 'yellow flash' from researching on the internet, it has a lovely perfume to it.

If you get the T&M e-mails you will have seen this already plants.thompson-morgan.com/product/82158/1/?OC=WSE013 what a beauty, anyone ordering it ;D

Wow what a beauty you have there Chuckles.

Yes I got that email from T & M - says it can be grown in a border too. What do you think to that?

This website is very good Chuckles www.easyorchids.co.uk/site/index.php

[chickadeedeedee]

Oooooooooooo! That's a beauty, Miss Chuckles! I have very few orchids with a scent. Lucky you! ;D

[chickadeedeedee]

Here's my kitchen window with the orchids turned around to face the camera....

That's about 90% of the Central and South American guys I grow as epiphytes. There are two Hoyas also in the mix.

There's about 7 or 8 more orchids and more plants actually on the window sill.

The living room and front doorway has bunches more. ;D

[Rosefriend]

Now that C3D is very impressive indeed. It look marvellous.

RF

[chickadeedeedee]

Thanks.

The guy in the largest basket in the lower right of the photo has a flower spike showing above the plant that will open soon. I'll post those flowers when they arrive. ;D

[Deleted]

chickadeedeedee said:

Here's my kitchen window with the orchids turned around to face the camera....

That's about 90% of the Central and South American guys I grow as epiphytes. There are two Hoyas also in the mix.

There's about 7 or 8 more orchids and more plants actually on the window sill.

The living room and front doorway has bunches more. ;D

Wow!

Question - is it ok to feed orchids using liquid house plant food?

[chickadeedeedee]

Hi.

I use a general house plant food liquid, (Miracle Gro. Not sure if it is available where you live), at the rate of one brop per one gallon of water. I use the weak food concentrate each time I water.

These guys who are mounted on the tree fern bark or sticks are also misted with a spray bottle a few times a day very lightly. Again with the dilute plant food in the water.

As many orchids are epiphytes, a "normal" concentration of plant food will burn the roots quickly. I do have a box of orchid food somewhere in the garage. I think I used it a few times several years ago but drifted to the lazy way to feed. ;D

[chickadeedeedee]

This orchid is the one pictured in the lower right hand portion of my kitchen window photo.
The flowers just started to open yesterday and there are three more spikes coming up. ;D

Coelogyne cristata v. grandiflora

A native of India. When mature can literally produce thousands of fragrant flowers. Leaves are long dark green six inch straps and the six inch flower spikes can each carry 3 - 8 four inch flowers.

The white ruffled sepals and petals are opened starlike around a tri-lobed white lip and a central golden callus.

They are a Spring blooming orchid and prefer an indirect bright light or heavy shadowing of 1500-2500 Footcandles. They tolerate a wide temperature range from 52°F to a maximum of 80°F. They need to be kept moist with three to four waterings a week and allow to *slightly* dry between waterings.

[Deleted]

Oh, that is a beauty cd3

Just bought myself a Ludisia discolor 'Dawsoniana' from my local supermarket, but know nothing about it (no growing instructions ) Any advice cd3? BTW, I hope I got that name right, I just copied it from the scant info on the sticker

[chickadeedeedee]

Thanks RM. I have the same orchid but need to get to work now. I promise to post what I know about the plant later today.

[Deleted]

Thank you cd3. You're our resident expert! ;D

[Deleted]

chickadeedeedee said:

This orchid is the one pictured in the lower right hand portion of my kitchen window photo.
The flowers just started to open yesterday and there are three more spikes coming up. ;D

Coelogyne cristata v. grandiflora

A native of India. When mature can literally produce thousands of fragrant flowers. Leaves are long dark green six inch straps and the six inch flower spikes can each carry 3 - 8 four inch flowers.

The white ruffled sepals and petals are opened starlike around a tri-lobed white lip and a central golden callus.

They are a Spring blooming orchid and prefer an indirect bright light or heavy shadowing of 1500-2500 Footcandles. They tolerate a wide temperature range from 52°F to a maximum of 80°F. They need to be kept moist with three to four waterings a week and allow to *slightly* dry between waterings.

Gob smackingly beautiful C3D and thanks for the tip on using liquid house plant food - I did have some "orchid food" but threw it out when we moved house - didn't have any orchids at the time.

[chickadeedeedee]

OY! I am not an orchid expert by any stretch of the imagination. I just pretend I know stuff sometimes.

Any way about your Ludisia discolor 'Dawsoniana'...

The Ludisia discolor is a native of Burma and also known as the Jewel Orchid. There are a number of varieties of this species orchid.

Generally they are popular because they are easy to grow and have very attractive freely branching stems and an abundance of lovely velvety leaves. Their flower spikes can carry up to two dozen odd looking but pretty white blooms with bright yellow pollen caps.

Generally they are winter blooming and prefer shade or indirect low light and shadowing (500-1500 Footcandles.) They thrive at home temperatures of 58°F to 88°F max. They like to be moist but not soggy and allow to dry slightly between waterings. Depending on growing conditions they may need to be watered 2-3 times a week.

**VERY EASY** to propagate! Break off a piece of a stem and either insert it into potting soil or into a glass of water. Roots quickly form and ya got yourself a new plant! ;D

[Deleted]

Thanks cd3

And I think you're an expert

[Ruthie]

This is a Dendrobium given to me by a man I visited while working for the Pension Service. I'll never forget it because it was the last day I visited before taking early retirement. We were'nt s'posed to take gifts but when he offered it (me having admired his orchids and other exotic plants) I couldn't resist. So I put it in the "gifts and services" book as a plant cutting!!!

Anyway, he told me not to cut the old leafless stems off and I've had several flowers this winter. The orchid is in my kitchen along with my Phalaenopsis' and seems quite happy.