Bifrenaria harrisoniae orchid

This popular orchid has been in cultivation for a very long time, being one of the first one's introduced to England during 1821 and since been popular with orchid growers all over the world.

A native of Brazil, it grows on rocks and trees in warm, humid rain-forests. Its loved for its wideley-opening, waxy flowers which are usually cream with magenta color labellum. They have a strong fragrance, angular pseudobulbs and large, thick leaves. This orchid require bright light and gentle air movement to flower well. Watering needs to be rather heavy when plants are in active growth, but then sparingly after the growth have matured and during cool temperatures and short days of winter.

These orchids are relatively easy to grow but can suffer a setback from repotting and hence should be repotted only when absolutely necessary.

This orchid and me now reached an understanding - I got it a few years ago and in its first year, after a few months, moved it from one growing container into another and could not understand why in its first couple of years with me it would not flower. All I got very nice, green fleshy leaves, that's all. But once its established in its new situation its started flowering and flowered every year since then in summer. Ahhh... so much to learn from these beautiful plants.