My Orchids Journal

Cymbidium orchid - "Dream Therapy"

2011-10-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful cymbidium orchid just finished it's flowering season and it's a cross of cymbidium "Dream Therapy" - very nice and unusual. It's parentage is quite complicated, giving a kind of two-tone effect to the blooms. It's a cross of Dream Therapy x Eazan Shining "Ginger Kisses" x Glittering Gold .

The flowers have a bit of oriental feel to them, displaying interesting color of bronze/ yellow and a touch of green with wide white/red middle and the whole effect of the blooms have very pleasing to the eye combination. It also have very nice light scent that is difficult to describe, it smells of "freshness" - crisp, clean and bright.

Some time ago I purchased couple of seedlings of this orchid hopping to see unusual flower and this season it's flowering first time. The plant is still small and as it matures I expect to see more of these interesting and special blooms.

Native Dendrobiums in flower

2011-09-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

Being first month of spring, my native dendrobiums orchids currently in bloom. They are some of the easiest orchids to grow and every year reward me with many scented and sculptured flowers.

All of my natives grow outside under the shade of the trees and exposed to all elements, they don't get any special treatments - just an occasional watering during hot summer months, other than that they are very tough and enjoy all kind of weather. In nature they grow attached to the trees or on the rocks and used to surviving harsh weather making them ideal orchids to grow for the beginner.

They are rather un-complicated , have the beauty all of their own and every year, in early spring put up a show and a display heralding the new growing season.

Trip to Far North Qld

2011-09-08T17:45:00.000-07:00

I've just returned from my trip to Far North Qld, been away for a while visiting this beautiful part of the world. Took many trips and excursions and seen many natural wonders of that protected World Heritage area. Learned so much from passionate people and local guides who really care and preserve this delicate environment and was given an opportunity to share in their knowledge and wisdom.

Seen whales frolicking in the ocean and crocodiles in Proserpine river, visited some sacred Aborigines sites and learned about healing properties of many native plants, seen beautiful native orchids growing in canopies of trees in Daintree river and was introduced to many species of birds and animals that are at home in these protected areas. Walked in the rainforests that are thousands years old and learned many old legends, as old as the "time" itself. Tried many exotic foods and fruits and seen the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef in all it's splendor.

Met many local and native guides and shared their knowledge and experiences, legends and stories, promised Tui of Daintree River Cruise Centre to thank him via this blog for his passionate love of the Daintree river and for manuvering and taking the boat so much closer to the edges so that I can look at the plants and orchids, while snakes were resting on the overhead branches and crocodiles lurking in the water below. The local guides and local guided commentary is so important on the trip like that and all these people share such passion and love of the area, delicate eco-system and their real love for environment. There is so much healing energy in that part of the world, energy that is bold, uncompromising, sacred, primeval, majestic, spectacular, unusual, unchanged, confident and I feel enormous privilege to be able to share and experience that healing energy.

Cymbidium Henri Choo

2011-07-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

Winter in our part of the world is cymbidium orchids flowering time and this beautiful cymbidium Henri Choo is currently blooming in my greenhouse. It's one of the novelty cymbidiums that have a lot of splashes and stripes on it's petals. At the moment it's one of the "collector's items" but I am sure that in the near future it will be available everywhere.

There is definite trend in cymbidium orchids and current one is to have many stripes and different blotches on the blooms and "Henri Choo" splendidly represents this trend.

It's parentage is Enzan Shining x Death Wish and the blooms have this oriental appearance to them, the color predominantly orange/bronze with many markings with large lip slightly lighter color and the whole effect displayed as if been painted by a paint brush. Another beautiful creation by a breeder who can see so much potential in both parents.

My plant is only a couple of years old, I got it some time ago as seedling and it's interesting for me to discover it's beauty and it's potential. It's been growing strong and this season "Henri Choo" started to show off it's beauty - large, bold blooms, unusual markings and strong, vigorous plant with repeat flowering - another winner for cymbidium world of orchids.

Coelogyne mooreana orchid - "Wild One"

2011-07-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

My Coelogyne mooreana "Wild One" in flower at the moment. It's one of the beautiful varieties that are easy to grow for a beginner, as well as experienced orchid collector. It flowers with these large pristine white blooms that are sweetly scented, and quite a delight to see in the middle of our winter.

Coelogyne genus currently consist of about 150 different species, native to India to the Pacific Islands and as far north as southern China and the Philippines. They grow in the habitats from sea level to the high mountains and prefer semi-shade conditions and situations and in our climate quite happy to grow outside under the shade of the trees.

They are one of the easiest orchids to grow and to bring to flower and can grow quite quickly into large, bulky plants producing many sprays of sweetly scented blooms. They can also be planted in hanging baskets to show off their special flowers.

My plant is var "Wild One" native to Vietnam where it grows at moderate to high altitudes. It have upright inflorescence that usually develops from the new growth and have fragrant flowers, each about 8cm across. I've been growing it quite a few years now, it's quite constant performer and lives up to it's name, I divide it every couple of years and many of my friends share the beauty of the "Wild One" now.

Cymbidium Orchid - "Night Angel"

2011-06-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

This is the first month of winter in our part of the world and it means that fabulous cymbidium orchids started it's seasonal flowering again. Many of my plants very busy at the moment, developing new flower spikes and ready to to put up a show. It's nice to see some of my old plants growing strong as well as discovering new and unusual first-time for me bloomers.

Right now earlier flowering varieties started to show their flowers and one of them this cymbidium Night Angel. It's parents "Sylvania" x "Something Fabulous" and it looks like a very interesting cross. The flowers predominantly pink with slight stripes and a bit of luminous quality to them offset by darker velvety middle - very nice combination.

I got a couple of small seedlings of this variety some time ago and this is it's first flowering, so only a few blooms on each flower spike this season, but it looks like "Night Angel" will be another beautiful addition to my cymbidium orchid collection.

Turkish wild orchids ice cream

2011-05-31T12:34:00.000-07:00

My first taste of salepi dondurma, a unique Turkish ice cream made from tubers of wild orchids was many years ago in Grand Bazaar of Istanbul during school trip to this vibrant, beautiful colorful city. Since then, I've tried it many times at different international Food and Wine shows here in Sydney and always love an opportunity to taste it again and again.

Dondurma is the Turkish word for ice cream and salep is the whitish flour milled from the dried tubers of wild, terrestrial orchids grown through Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Local people collect the orchid tubers for this uniquely Turkish delicacy and this dessert made from tubers flour, milk and sugar. The frozen mixture then beaten with metal rods until it's very elastic in texture and can be eaten with a knife and fork. The taste - slightly sweet, nutty, subtle earthy and comes in many flavors - apricot, pistachio, peach, vanilla, red currant and many others.

Originally, salepi dondurma was mixed by hand. It was then pounded to a smooth consistency with metal rods, and then stretched by hand. These days gelato machines used for freezing and mixing, but the final product is still beaten and kneaded with metal rods for some time, to achieve the proper degree of elasticity.

This delicacy, I was told, also have unique medicinal properties and according to Gioscorides, Greek Physician from First-Century AD and other more recent experts in this field, salepi dondurma can " heal the spleen, prevent cholera and tuberculosis, facilitate childbirth, stop your hands and feet from shaking, prevent getting lump on your back, keep your chest soft, heal bronchitis and used as an aphrodisiac when needed." For many years now I've been evaluating long-term benefits of wild orchids ice-cream and look for it anytime opportunity presents itself.

Ahh, but perhaps the best medical advice about the properties of salepi dondurma I received from colorful ice-cream vendor in Istanbul all these years ago - "it will cure those who mentally fallen crazy in love"... No comment.

Here is a short video showing traditional serving of ice-cream by Turkish ice-cream vendors:

Oncidium chrysomorphum orchid x Oda.(Cherubino x Wearside Pattern)

2011-05-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

There are many hundreds of handsome hybrids made with Oncidium orchids and with closely to them related genera. Some of them quite complex and complicated and this is one of them. It's Onc. Chrysomorphum x Oda. (Cherubino x Wearside Pattern) and it's currently in flower.

My orchid flowers at the end of our autumn/ early winter with masses of bright, yellow/orange blooms with many long flowering arching spikes that about 50 cm long. It's slightly fragrant, just a hint of cinnamon , not overpowering and very pleasing. It's always nice to see vibrant flamboyant colors in autumn and winter and I get my "color therapy" fix from this one.

Despite its complicated background it's quite easy to cultivate and to bring it to flower, it like well-drained bark mix and plenty of moisture during warm weather with less watering during colder months. It can be mounted on tree-fern slabs or cork mounts.

It's another beautiful orchid to have in one's collection that rewards with exotic, special, colorful, flamboyant blooms.

Odontoglossum nobile orchid ( Full Moon x Tiffany)

2011-05-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

Another of my beautiful Odm. nobile orchid currently in flower - it's very nice cross named 'Full Moon x Tiffany" and it flowers with huge white pink dotted blooms. The flowers are large and free flowing relaxed petals and plant producing many long sprays of them during it's blooming season. It's also a scented orchid that have strong smell of jasmine that lingers for a long time - an absolute delight!

The flowers stay on the plant for about three weeks or so and many new flower spikes develop during it's flowering time, giving an opportunity to really enjoy this beautiful and special creation.

Odontoglossum nobile native to clouded forests of Colombia, found in an high elevation of 2400m and in our climate perfectly suited to greenhouse cultivation - it needs moderate light, dry conditions between watering and free flowing orchid compost so it can drain freely. Odm. nobile have pristine white large blooms and this variety of Full Moon x Tiffany displaying larger ( 8.5cm) and more colorful flowers.

It's another beautiful orchid that easy to cultivate for experienced orchid grower as well as beginner and will reward year after year with it's special, majestic scented blooms.

Oncidium orchid Sharri Baby "Sweet Fragrance"

2011-04-29T11:53:00.000-07:00

My wonderful Oncidium Sharri Baby currently in flower - it's variety "Sweet Fragrance" and have beautiful scented blooms, reminiscent of "sour cherries" - what a delight! It flowers with masses of small sculptured flowers on long arching flower spikes and flowers are burgundy color with just a touch of white on the petals.

Sharri Baby is one of the most famous of the Oncidium hybrids ( Jamie Sutton x Honolulu) and "Sweet Fragrance" lives up to it's name, it's one of the best known fragrant orchids on the market today. It's very generous in it's growing habit, producing many new bulbs and leaves and flower spikes during it's growing season and can get quite large specimen in short period of time. This never a problem to me - I just divide it and share it with friends and other orchids growers and collectors.

It's one of the easiest orchids to grow for the beginners - it likes a lot of water during it's growing time and to be a little bit drier when it's resting, in our climate it's quite happy to grow outside under the shade of the trees, but in colder climates it loves sunny window situation. It have large pseudobulbs that will shrivel if the plant not getting enough moisture, indicating optimum growing requirements.

The original Sharri Baby hybrid have chocolate/vanilla scented flowers and Sharri Baby "Sweet Fragrance" beautiful "sour cherry" scented blooms and if you ever wanted to grow an orchid or two, give them a go - they easy and will reward you with their special fragrant blooms.

Laelia tenebrosa "Nicci"

2011-04-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

My beautiful and flamboyant Laelia tenebrosa native to Brazil just finished it's flowering season - it's variety "Nicci" and in our climate it's blooming in autumn.

Laelia genus previously comprised more than 60 different species, but it has recently been revised and now contains only a few from Central America. Their growth habitat closely resembles that of Cattleya's and in cultivation they require similar conditions. They need well-drained mix and plenty of watering during growing time and then drier situations during dormant months.

The flowers of Laelia tenebrosa are large and showy( 19 cm/7 1/2 inches) , scented, wide open up to four blooms on each flower spike. Colors can vary and my "Nicci" variety displays beautiful bronze/purple blooms that loved by everyone, even though it's unusual color combination, being on the opposite side of the color wheel. Nature's creations...

This beautiful orchid was first documented in 1800's and it's origin's traced to small area of Espirito Santo state in Brazil, where it now considered virtually extinct. It grew in dense forests on large trees and that area of the rain forest now been totally destroyed. Most of the plants available today come from sub crosses or clones of old jungle plants. One really hopes that some original genes still left and breeders can recreate this magical orchid, to be enjoyed by everyone.

Phaius tankervilleae orchid

2011-03-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

These beautiful orchids native to India, Southern Asia, New Guinea, Australia and many islands of the pacific very popular with gardeners and orchid collectors. There are currently about 50 species in phaius genus and tankervilleae is one of them. In nature they can be found in a variety of habitats and altitudes. They have squat pseudobulbs and large, pleated leaves. The flower spikes erect with several large, colorful flowers.

These species are terrestrial, which means that they happily grow in the garden and present great opportunity for landscaping with orchids in mild climates. They quite easy to grow and to flower, providing some of their requirements are met - they love organically rich soil, they prefer to be kept moist year-round and fertilized while actively growing. Plants of this very popular species will grow and flower under direct sunlight, but the best results are achieved with shaded conditions. If you have shaded spot in the garden and would like to grow an orchid or two, try phaius - they quite hardy and easy to grow and will reward you with many beautiful blooms.

There are other colorful phaius varieties - for instance phaius flavus have huge yellow/red color blooms, phaius pulchellus blooms with dark burgundy color flowers, there are others with lime green or dark brown or orange/ copper colored flowers, presenting quite a range for landscaping with orchids.

Rhizanthella slateri - rare underground orchid

2011-03-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

This very unusual and very rare eastern orchid lives under the ground as rhizomes. When it wants to flower, it comes up to the surface and breaks the surface but is still under the leaf litter, and that's where it flowers.

Eastern underground orchids have been spotted at just a handful of sites in NSW and southern QLD, but scientists think there may be more undiscovered colonies of this rare and unusual prehistoric orchid. Through painstaking field work about a dozen of this endangered orchids were identified - but the exact locations were kept secret from the public.

Scientists are celebrating saving of this unusual orchid from the blades of a bulldozers on the NSW central coast earlier this year and their protection from a new highway project, north of Newcastle. They collected the plants for seed and transported them 430 km south to Canberra, but never expected them to survive and to flower. But they have - sending up several red-brown heads of flowers about the size of 20 cent piece - living scientists, and all orchid enthusiasts hopeful for the future of the species. They are planning to introduce this orchid back into the wild and ensure the long-term survival of this rare plant.

There was also extensive negotiations with RTA ( Roads and Traffic Authority) and the route of the highway was altered to avoid the known colonies of rhizanthella slateri, while other native plants were salvaged from the bulldozers.

So, here it is - extremely rare underground orchid saved for future generations to admire and to study and preserve and cherish and the motorists using soon-to-be-completed highway bypass North of Newcastle will notice strange bends in the highway - they actually tweaked the highway... it's got slight kink in it, because the orchid's there.

Orchids in the Moonlight ( 1933)

2011-02-13T14:19:00.001-08:00

Orchids and Tango - how appropriate, especially on Valentine day!

This beautiful Tango was first recorded in the film "Flying Down to Rio" in 1933. Raul Roulein sang this tango in the movie together with Delores Del Rio and in the film was also the possibly the most famous dancing duo - Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

I watched this old black and white movie the other day and enjoyed the beautiful music and singing and dancing and suddenly remembered my grandparents dancing to this beautiful tune! Memories galore!

Over the years, many artists sang and recorded "Orchids in the Moonlight", the following song was recorded by The Platers in 1960's and to this day remains one of the popular versions of this Tango. It's a special tribute to Orchids and to Tango.

I am sure you will enjoy "Orchids in the Moonlight" on this Valentine's Day.

Oda. Shine Gate x Oda. Wearside Pattern

2011-01-27T15:11:00.000-08:00

This beautiful odontoglossum cross orchid flowering at the moment - its a cross between Shine Gate and Wearside Pattern and it's producing hot pink relaxed blooms with many contrast markings on the petals. The flowers are really nice and one can't miss it in the greenhouse - bold, vibrant splashers of color is what this cross all about.

Odontoglossum genus native to Andes and freely grow mostly in cloud forests in constantly cool, wet habitats at altitudes above 5000 ft(1500m). The flowers of this genus is mostly large and showy and these orchids are very popular among growers with cool orchid houses.

Having said that, they are not the easiest orchids to cultivate and need a bit of dedication to bring them to flower. The trick , like with many orchids of course, trying to duplicate as close as possible their natural growing conditions - they require constant watering and high humidity with good air movement and a lot of shade, particularly in our hot summer conditions. At the same time, they don't like a lot of moisture in the leaf axils, so it's kind of constant search for a balance with these one's.

Still, a beautiful creation by Nature that conjures up image of exotic, delicate, rare, romantic, spectacular blooms and an interesting challenge for someone like me to be able to grow them and to reveal and appreciate their special beauty, vibrations and diversity.

Cymbidium gottianum - Angel Orchid

2011-01-08T10:43:00.000-08:00

This magnificent primary hybrid is from the family of Cymbidium and is a cross between C. insigne alba x C. eburneum.

It's registered name is - Gottianum and to date it have very impressive statistics.

So far, this hybrid been involved in 13 generations and in excess of 6,500 hybrids - all this just until the end of 2010!

I got a few small seedlings of this orchid early last year, just to see for myself and to try to bring it to flower - this is it's first flowering season with me and besides showing very nice pastel pink flowers, it's also have long extensive blooming cycle. We are now right in the middle of our summer and this "Angel Orchid" is still flowering - very unusual for any cymbidium hybrids, which are usually strictly winter/spring flowering plants.

One can see how bold and innovative orchid breeders will use this special and beautiful hybrid in future generations of orchids, to create magnificent blooms with longer flowering season.

Happy and Healthy New Year !

2010-12-30T09:42:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to thank everyone for your support and appreciation of beautiful orchids and to wish you all Happy and Healthy New Year from Downunder.

May New Year bring you freedom, love, fun, sunshine, laughter and happiness and may all of your dreams come alive!

Here we are expecting hot and humid next few days (35C/95F) - perfect time for the beach to spend with friends and family and to enjoy this magical time of the year.

I am looking forward seeing more of your great posts in the new exiting gardening year.

Happy New and wonderful Year!

( "towel surfing" - Bondi Beach)

Cymbidium Orchid - On the Prowl " Glamour Puss"

2010-11-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

This beautiful cymbidium orchid currently in bloom - it's called On the Prowl " Glamour Puss" - another beautiful addition to my cymbidium orchids collection.

I purchased "Glamour Puss" seedling some time ago and been waiting for a while to see it's flowers and this year it's first flowering season. It's very nice cymbidium with very round, large blooms and nice color lip and petals, with many markings splashed on the petals. It would probably need couple of more flowering seasons and a bit of maturity to reveal it's beauty in full, still there is a promise here of something special and unusual. As the flowers maturing, they seems to take this luminous quality, very delicate, yet showy.

We are near the end of cymbidium flowering season, a few of my late flowering cymbidiums have flower spikes, ready to flower and to finish this wonderful flowering season. As usual, it's anticipation to see other orchid species and to welcome new one's in my ever expanding collection.

Cymbidium Orchid - "Frankie Valli"

2010-10-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Another one of my beautiful cymbidium orchids flowering at the moment - it's called "Frankie Valli" and it's one of the new orchids, only been around since late 2009 and promising to be another winner in the cymbidium world.

I purchased couple of advanced seedlings early this year , hopping to see something different and unusual and I think this one meeting all of my expectations - it's bold, spectacular, confident, uncompromising, "like me or live me" type. Love the colors of the flower, even though there are only a few of them at the moment, since it's first blooming season. As the plant matures, there is a promise of long arching flower spikes up to 1.5m long, but that's in the future - for now it's just appreciation of this beautiful creation that brings smile to everyone who see it.

I think, Frankie Valli can say it better than me... and a short trip down the memory lane...

You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
You'd be like Heaven to touch.
I wanna hold you so much.
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.

Pardon the way that I stare.
There's nothing else to compare.
The sight of you leaves me weak.
There are no words left to speak..,

Cymbidium erythrostylum orchid

2010-10-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

The most recent assessment of the cymbidium genus documents more than forty different species. One of them is cymbidium erythrostylum, native to Vietnam.

Even in out modern time little is known of the inaccessible habitat of this species and it's found at an elevation of about 1500m and usually it's cultivation presents a bit of a challenge since not much information available about this attractive orchid.

The flowers are slender, erect and carry up to 10 blooms on each flower spike. They have narrow, triangular appearance , large glistening white flowers with strikingly marked labellum, long flowering period and it's one of the most attractive species in this genus.

This orchid is just finished flowering, it's been in bloom since mid-winter and it's flowered first time in my collection. I purchased it as a small seedling couple of years ago and been waiting for it to establish and to start flowering. While the plant is still small with it's first seasonal flowering, I am delighted by it's unusual, rare, beautiful blooms.

Native dendrobium orchid - "Aussie Star"

2010-09-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

Early spring time in our part of the world means that native dendrobiums orchids are again in full flower and and again they showing off their beautiful, uncompromising and special blooms, delighting growers and admirers with their special flowering energy.

Dendrobium orchid genera currently have about 1,200 different species occurring from India through Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Tahiti, southern China and Thailand. There are many many varieties of dendrobium orchids grown in variety of climates and recently, a series of hybrids has been produced using Native Australian species.

My native dendrobium "Aussie Star" is one of these hybrids, it's starts flowering in late winter/early spring with masses of small beautiful pink flowers that have very strong sweet scent and it's quite vigorous variety, very generous with new growth and flowers. It's growing under the shade of the trees in my garden with filtered light all year round exposed to all natural elements and it seems to be thriving in these conditions.

I've been thinking of dividing it for a while, since this plant getting quite large, but each spring when I see this plant in flower I live it be for another season, so it can do it's magic and delight me with it's bold, special energy and it's color and texture and scents.

Cymbidium Orchid - "Rembrandt Masterpiece"

2010-09-06T12:55:00.000-07:00

This beautiful cymbidium orchid is one of the orchid's world most popular cymbidiums, loved by collectors, orchids growers and general gardeners everywhere and it's name - "Rembrandt Masterpiece". While the green color orchids generally not as appealing to majority of people, this one seems won it's place in many grower's heart's for it's bold, uncompromising blooms.

It's parents Culpalin x Valley Bush produced this special flower of green color with very prominent bright red colored lip, huge showy flowers that stay open for a long time, very vigorous plant that sends many flowering spikes during it's blooming season. This cross won many awards in competitions and shows around the world for it's perfect, unique and distinctive blooms.

My "Rembrandt Masterpiece" just started flowering and I am looking forward seeing many more of these exceptional, beautiful flowers in the next few weeks.

Cymbidium Orchid - Coraki x Kusuda Shining

2010-08-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

We are now at the end of our winter here in AU and it means that our beautiful cymbidium orchids started their flowering season.

For me, there are three noted defined flowering cycles. At the moment earlier blooming varieties started showing off now their special blooms, later on mid-season cymbidiums will be flowering and then right at the end of our spring late flowering cymbidium orchids will take us right into the warmer weather.

With these three flowering seasons, it's possible to surround oneself with constant flowering orchids, especially since flowers stay on the plants for three to four weeks. By early summer, it's all over for cymbidium flowers, but while it lasts we enjoy this special kaleidoscope of colors, textures and scents. I always bring flowering cymbidiums into the house for a short period of time to decorate the rooms and to be surrounded by these flamboyant orchids and it means to me that winter is over, even though the calendars insists otherwise.

This nice cymbidium Coraki x Kusuda Shining is especially nice cross - I purchased it a couple of years ago as a small seedling because I liked both of it's parents and was hoping to see in it nice, clear, pleasing color and flower textures. This is the first year it's flowered for me, showing off it's nice, bold blooms. One can see the breeder's thoughts and ideas and hopes when they create and select the right plants for breeding - just like an artist with a paint brush trying different combinations making alchemy creations with living orchid plants.

Beallara "Tahoma Glacier" orchid

2010-07-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

This beautiful Bellara orchid currently in flower, right in the middle of our winter giving a bit of color and texture in our cold and rainy weather.

It's variety "Tahoma Glacier" and it flowers with huge 3.5 in star-shaped blooms displaying irregular purple spots on creamy white background. It's quite reliable and stable grower and usually sends a few long flower spikes with as many as 10-15 flowers on each spike. Its one of those hybrids that not very fussy and flowers year after year, displaying it's relaxed large flowers, all facing different directions. One of course can stake them to present more pleasing to the eye arrangement, but I always love to see them growing in their natural way and let it find it's own natural positions.

It likes a being warmer in colder months and quite happy to grow under the shade of the trees in summer. It likes heavy watering during our hotter months and reduced moisture during autumn and winters.

My plant is a few years old and each spring, after its flowering I divide it and give some to friends so that they too can grow this beautiful orchid and to appreciate it's huge flamboyant blooms in the middle of winter.

Winter colors - Cattleya Orchids

2010-06-11T14:23:00.001-07:00

Here in AU we are in the beginning of winter with cold and rainy weather, at times experiencing strong icy winds from Antarctica and our beautiful and lush tropical gardens look a bit muted, waiting for a spring time when a new growing cycle will start it's magic in our part of the world, however it's great anticipation time for orchids growers and collectors since Cattleya orchids are in flower at the moment, giving us much needed color infusions.

My Cattleya's just started flowering and with the names like "Sweet Valentine", "Tokyo Girl", "My Blue Heaven", "Firewalker", "Pink Angel" - who can resist these flamboyant beauties!

Cattleya's are one of the most popular orchids with orchid hobbyists as well as the general gardeners and these days have many spectacular varieties and forms. They are the easiest of all orchids to grow, being very tolerant of poor conditions and neglect.

This species are widespread in the American tropics, mainly in costal Brazil and the Andes. There is also significant Cattleya occurrences in Mexico and other Central American countries.

These orchids are quite easy to grow and in our climate need light shade during summer, lot's and lot's of water during hottest part of the year and a bit of a shelter during colder months. They are quite forgiving plants and store their energy in large bulbs, which means that even inexperienced orchid novice will be able to grow them, since they recover very quickly from any neglect.

Right at this moment it's raining quite heavily outside, cold with strong winds sweeping everywhere, dark clouds with a bit of thunder somewhere close - I am off to the greenhouse for much needed color therapy with my Cattleya's and their magical blooms!

Wilsonara "Tiger Brew" orchid

2010-05-29T22:47:00.000-07:00

Here is another one of my interesting orchids that just finished flowering - it's Wilsonara "Tiger Brew" and again, it's intergeneric hybrid between oncidium, odontoglossum and cochlioda.

It have large yellow blooms with many different burgundy color markings with each flower seems to have different patterns. The flower spikes are long and cascading, with each flower opening at different times.

This orchid have a bit of an "attitude" - it's not easy to bring it to flower since it's very particular in regards to light requirements - too much and it dry out and goes all yellow and with not enough light it will not develop flower spikes, so it's constantly moving around greenhouse in the hope of the ideal conditions. It also likes warmer growing conditions, a lot of air movement, wet and dry cycle which can be a challenge even to an experienced orchid grower.

Still, each flowering season it's a waiting game to see if "Tiger Brew" will reward me with it's special and unusual blooms, and when it does, everything is forgotten - just huge appreciation and enjoyment of it's unusual and magical blooms.

Beallara Marfitch "Howards Dream" orchid

2010-05-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

This beautiful orchid from my collection is one of the interesting hybrids from the orchid world - it's intergeneric hybrid between Miltonia, Brassia, Cochlioda and Odontoglossums and it's currently in flower.

The blooms are really quite large and spectacular and the color is purple-grape tones with many interesting white markings on the petals. The flower spikes are quite long with about 6 to 8 very large flowers, all seems to maturing and opening at different times, giving extending flowering time.

I've had this orchid a few years now and while it's not difficult to cultivate, it does have it's own specific requirements - it's rather sensitive to strong light and prefers shadier situations either in greenhouse or under the trees, especially in summer. It likes a lot of watering while new lives and flower spikes maturing, following by drier cycles, it likes to be warmer in our winter months with a lot's of air circulating around it.

When growing conditions are perfect, it would flower twice a year - in mid autumn as now and in mid spring, showing off it's spectacular huge purple flowers that lasts for about 6 weeks.

This is one of the orchids that can present quite a challenge and beautiful discovery rewards to an orchids lover, but when all elements come together in a growing cycle, it shows it's magnificent, special blooms.

Lycaste skinneri "Apollo" x Lycaste skinneri "Adonis" orchid

2010-04-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

The Lycaste genus currently contains about 45 different species and in nature can be found growing in the areas from Mexico to Peru in hight altitudes.

They have oval pseudobulbs, usually crowded, with a couple of pleated leaves and Lycaste orchids mostly deciduous during flowering. The flowers come up from the bases of the pseudobulbs and and bear a single, large, waxy flower that lasts for about 3 weeks.

Many interesting hybrids have been created between this species and breeders aim to create plants with large flowers, good color and nice scents.

My Lycaste orchid is a cross between Lycaste skinneri "Apollo" and Lycaste skinneri "Adonis" and rather a "collecor's item", since not many of them currently in cultivation. I purchased a small seedling of this cross couple of years ago and this is a first time it's flowering for me. The breeder was aiming to produce bold, large, pristine white flowers and it does not dissapoint - it's quite spectacular! The plant produced only two flowers at this stage, but they are big, beautiful with a strong scent of jasmine and I am looking forward for this plant to mature and to grow many more of it's blooms.

Lycaste skinneri is the national flower of Guatemala and this orchid is one of the popular members of this genus, usually flowering with lovely pale pink flowers - by crossing "Apollo" and "Adonis" the breeder achieved pure, pristine white form that's very pleasing to the eye.

These orchids are not difficult to cultivate, providing some specific requirements met - they have very fine roots and need fine drainage, they like to be underpoted , love a lot of watering while they actively growing and not much moisture when plants go through resting period. Air movement also important and they prefer filtered light.

Lycaste orchids are great addition to any orchid collection - they all have beautiful flowers, nice scents, prolific flowering once matured, producing long-lasting exiting displays.

Beautiful orchids on display in Japan - JGP 2010

2010-04-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival 2010 (JGP2010) was held this year in mid-February in Tokyo Dome and attracted orchid lovers from all over the world. It's the world's largest orchid show, very unique in terms of number and quality of orchids displays, the variety, the size of exhibits and the elegance of their designs. It's an annual event and this year JGP celebrated it's 20th anniversary.

For nine days in February Tokyo Dome welcomed more than 400,000 visitors, exhibitors from 19 countries and over 100,000 orchids displays. This year the theme of JGP was - "Orchids: Cordial Hospitality - Saying it with Orchids" suggesting how to enjoy orchids in daily life.

This orchid show is where visitors can look, touch, learn, talk to the experts, bring their own plants for evaluation, listen to presentations and communicate with many orchid lovers.

Some of the rarest, never previously seen by general public, Japanese orchids was also displayed at that show - for instance, extremely rare Cypripedium native orchid from Rebun Island was exhibited and was replanted back to it's natural habitat after festival finished.

There are many judging competitions and many many awards given at JGP - for Individual plant, for best Fragrance, for best Display, for best Flower Arrangement ( interior decorations, gifts, bouquets), for Arts and Crafts (painting, botanical art, photographs, art flower, pressed flower, dried flower) and Miniature Orchid Garden. Also, sales area with more than 130 vendors from all over the world sell orchid plants and other orchids related items.

I've been to JGP three years ago and took back with me the most fondest memories - the sheer size of exhibits, the variety of plants, the knowledge and the kaleidoscope of colors, scents and textures, the dedication and selfless sharing of techniques and information, made many contacts with orchid lovers and collectors.

What more can one say - its Orchids and they doing their magic - they unite people from many countries, backgrounds in appreciation and celebration of beauty and love.

Below is a small video featuring JGP 2010 orchid show

Oncidium varicosum orchid

2010-04-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Oncidium orchids considered one of the largest genera in the orchids family and many orchid collectors dedicate large portion of their collections to these beautiful and diverse plants.

There have been many name changes in the Oncidium alliance and being such a large genus ( currently approx 750 varieties) one feels that it will be some time before a stable nomenclature is achieved. There are also many hundreds of handsome hybrids made within the species of this genus and with other closely related genera.

This of course, does not deter orchid growers from enjoying such a beautiful blooms and it gives one possibility of growing them in many colors, textures and scents.

My oncidium orchid is var varicosum and it's one of the first orchids in my collection that starts it's flowering in early autumn and will continue producing it's beautiful, bright yellow blooms for a number of weeks. This species native to Brazil and Bolivia and it flowers in nice clusters. The flower spikes come up from the base of the pseudobulbs and are approx 80 cm long. It likes growing in a free-drain orchid compost in the shade of the trees with a lot of air movement around them. They are easy to grow and because of their cascading flower spikes can be grown in hanging pots or mounted on the tree trunks or slabs.

The world's most loved orchid

2010-03-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

Not many people know that Vanilla is actually an orchid - in fact it's one of the oldest surviving "primitive" orchids, the origins of which date back- give or take- 120 million years.

This orchid can be found in many tropical regions of the world and this distribution supports the theory that genus Vanilla is very ancient and these orchids display a number of archaic features. The scientists established that origins of Vanilla orchid go back to the time when Gondwanaland broke up some 120 million years ago. They base their finding on the theory of plate tectonics and trace the origin of this orchid to the very beginning of the Cretaceous period, or 120 - 130 million year ago.

Difficult to imagine, I know, such a time-frame, and even more humbling to see the plant that kept all of it's genetic imprints intact through Earth's history and evolution and still contributing it's ancient, bold, uncompromising, unchanged energy to our modern times.

There are a number of species contained within this genus and they occur throughout the tropics. The most known are Vanilla planifolia that grows in Asia and Americas and Vanilla polylepis from Africa - in Angola, Zaire, Kenya. The plant mostly farmed for the vanilla essence that is made from seed pods and plants grow as vines that often reach more than 100ft long.

I always wanted to see this orchid growing in it's natural habitat and to experience myself it's special energy, to see how it's pollinated by native birds and see how it adapted to our "modern" culture and a couple of years ago had an opportunity to visit Lifou island in New Caledonia - one of the biggest Vanilla plantations in the Pacific.

Lifou island is part of the Loyalty islands - it's beautiful and pristine paradise with clear waters and streams and waterfalls, abundance of wildlife and magical tropical birds, unusual, ancient plants with huge Vanilla plantation where this orchid grows in it's natural habitat. Native people are very friendly and hospitable and very much tuned to nature, seasons, tides, healing plants and living in tune with all life around them. They plant and harvest and gather by Moon and by stars and I was fortunate to visit an elder of the village, who was a woman, so wise and so humble.

The Vanilla orchids grow through all the island - huge vines everywhere and I was taken through different stages of producing vanilla beans - from planting, to growing to maturing to harvesting and then drying. Few times a year huge ships come to the island to collect the beans and take them all over the world, to be used in so many different ways in our modern living.

So, here it is - a humble Vanilla orchid, as old as the "time" itself, being grown by Native people all over the world who respect it's origin and it's destiny and it's place in our everyday lives. If ever opportunity presents itself for you to visit Vanilla plantation anywhere in the world, be it Mexico or South America or Pacific or Africa - take the chance, you'll be amazed at the knowledge you will take with you.

Zygopetalum orchid - var "Port Vincent"

2010-01-30T15:44:00.000-08:00

This is another Zygopetalum orchid from my collection, currently in flower. It's variety "Port Vincent" and it have beautiful two-tone blooms. The petals are rich velvety dark brown color and the lip slightly curly velvety purple color.

These orchids are mainly sub-tropical to warm temperature growers and can take quite a bit of heat, which is perfect for our summer climate. They love growing in the shade with lot's of air movement and the shadiest part of my garden ideal place for them. They like a bit of moisture , but dislike being wet for a long period and require liberal, heavy watering followed by being almost dry before being watered again.

In AU, we have number of innovative Zygo orchid breeders and new beautiful and striking varieties appearing all the time, giving immense pleasure to orchid collectors. Thankfully, many breeding lines have kept the unmistaken Zygo scents. "Port Vincent" variety have main jasmine like scent with undertones of honeysuckle - very enjoyable combination that lingers around the garden for a long time.

If you live in sub-tropical or warmer climate and have shady spot in the garden or a balcony or a covered situation - give Zygo's a go, they are easy to grow, will reward you with striking blooms and scent and will show you a magic of orchids and they way it brings people together from such different backgrounds to share their love of these beautiful plants.

Cymbidium Orchid - Blooming Early "Autumn Mist"

2010-01-08T23:11:00.000-08:00

This beautiful cymbidium orchid called "Blooming Early "Autumn Mist" and it's just finished flowering in my garden.

I did not expect it to flower at this time of the year - we are now right in the middle of summer with hot dry days followed by cool rainy weather. Couple of weeks ago we had a lot of rains and this orchid started sending one flower spike, very unusual, since majority of cymbidiums in our climate cool flowering plants. Somehow, it must of got confused with the seasons, I can understand , since at times I am also confused with our weather and plants seems to find their own optimum times for flowering.

It's nice to see and to smell beautiful flowering orchid and this one does not disappoint. It's parentage Stanley Parkinson x Winter Wonder and the color is very pleasing light apricot with pink dotted centre with some pink dots on the petals. Another beautiful addition to any orchid collection.

Sarcochilus orchid

2009-12-26T10:35:00.000-08:00

Another flowering orchid from my collection - Sarcochilus var hartmannii just finished flowering.

Currently there are about 15 species of Sarcochilus orchids and all of them grow in Australia and New Caledonia. They all small plants that love high humidity and intermediate temperatures and have nice color combinations.

My Sarcochilus orchid is var hartmannii and this variety growth restricted to a small area near QLD - NSW border in eastern AU. In nature it grows in rock crevices and cliffs in altitudes up to 1000 meters, forming small clumps.

The flowers are white with bright pink in the middle and are semi-pendulous with fragrance that resembles orange blossom and in our climate appear usually in early summer. It likes good air movement, no direct sunlight and moist conditions through the growing year.

It seems to like growing in my garden and flowering year after year - another beautiful and interesting orchid for a collector or anyone who can replicate their growing needs.

Cymbidium Orchid - Da Vinci "Charm"

2009-12-05T17:05:00.000-08:00

This cymbidium orchid is one of the world's favourate - it loved by specific orchid growers and gardeners world wide for it's beautiful striking blooms. It's called Da Vinci "Charm" and its parentage Lunata x Hove.

Da Vinci "Charm" been around many years now and rightly recognized for it's very vigorous growth habit, strong flower spikes that carry huge showbench quality blooms of outstanding color.

My plant is a few years old and every season reliably flowers with these huge bright pink blooms - it's one of the gems in cymbidium orchids world.

Cymbidium Orchid - Down Under Moana Gold

2009-11-29T09:44:00.000-08:00

Here is another flamboyant and beautiful cymbidium orchid from my collection - it's name Down Under "Moana Gold"

This is a wonderful cross of Coraki x Tracey Reddaway and it's one of the beautiful, bold colored orchids appreciated by growers worldwide.

The flowers are large round, nicely shaped gold color, clean and clear with bright bold red labellum. It usually produces between 12 and 14 large blooms on every flower spike and one of the most prolific flowering cymbidiums.

I've had this variety for many years now, bought it as a small seedling and watched it developed into beautiful large plant. The colors of this cymbidium seems to appeal to many people and it's always appreciated by anyone who see it's massive display of flowers during bloom season.

Miltonia spectabilis var alba x odm Holiday Gold

2009-11-03T20:02:00.001-08:00

This is another interesting orchid from my collection that just flowered - its Miltonia spectabilis var alba x odm Holiday Gold. Its rather a rare cross and a beautiful orchid to have and to admire.

Despite being a collectors item its actually very easy orchid to grow and lends itself well to specimen culture.

The flowers of this orchid is very large (approx 20 cm across), it flowers freely and producing impressive display. The beautiful white/burgundy flowers open very widely and each flower spike carry 4 - 5 huge flowers.

These orchids native to Panama, Colombia and Costa Rica and they grow naturally on rocks and tree branches in cloud forests where morning mists and afternoon showers are the norm. In our climate they are quite happy in the shadiest part of my garden and they love frequent watering.

Cymbidium Orchid - James Toya Velvet

2009-10-04T12:15:00.001-07:00

This cymbidium orchid currently in flower in my garden - it's name James Toya Velvet and it's been created by one of the innovative cymbidium AU breeder for a cut flower market.

Couple of years ago I was able to obtain a few unflowered seedlings of this variety and been patiently waiting for it to produce it's first for me blooms, and as you can see, it is a beauty!

The plant is very strong and carry 5 large blooms. The flowers are flamboyant hot pink color with mild spicy scent, which is unusual for cymbidium orchid. The lip of the flower showing white/dark pink velvety texture and overall appearance effect is very pleasing. I think James Toya Velvet will be another winner in the cymbidium circle because it will appeal to many orchid collectors and gardeners alike.

Cymbidium Orchid -Kakadu Sunset Firegold

2009-09-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

Here is another Cymbidium orchid currently in flower from my collection. It's name - Kakadu Sunset var Firegold. It's been created by one of the well known Australian orchid breeders and the plant really lives up to it's name.

The flowers are huge of beautiful lemon color with distinct red colored lines running through the petals and the middle of the flower displaying bright red velvety lip - very pleasing to the eye combination of colors.

The plant is quite strong with many flower spikes and while each flower spike have only 3 or 4 flowers, they are quite spectacular in appearance, real showbench quality. One can actually see the creator's thoughts in this beautiful Firegold.

Oncidium orchid - Facade x Quennervaris

2009-08-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

Oncidiums are one of the wonderful genus for orchid collectors since it contains huge numbers and a large diversity of plant habits and floral features that a grower can spend a lifetime collecting and learning about them.

They currently numbering more than 750 species and these orchids distributed in southern Florida, Mexico, the West Indies, Central and South America. Their habitat range from the lowlands to high elevation in the mountains and most species grow on trees and rocks.

Oncidiums are generally regarded as being an adaptable group of orchids but even so a consideration of their area of origin can help in cultivation and help to avoid any problems. Those species from high elevation in the Andes are cool growers, while those originating in the lowlands require heat.

My oncidium Facade x Quennervaris just started flowering - its a beautiful cool growing orchid and it flowers with these special large, rather huge white flowers that have bright yellow spots all over them. Its rather a "collector's item", since not many plants of this cross currently in existence, but hopefully it will change in the near future so that many more growers can appreciate this beauty from cool mountains of Andes.

Cymbidium Orchid - spp insigne

2009-07-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

One of the beautiful cymbidium species, cymbidium insigne in my collection currently in flower.

This species native to China, Vietnam and Thailand, grows in high altitudes and have many showy pale pink flowers.

Its one of the most important species in the cymbidium world, since all of the modern pink color cultivators own its origin to this special plant and it's been used extensively by cymbidium breeders to create bold pink hybrids with multiple flowers.

The plant in its original state is a beautiful sight - my orchid just started flowering and I am looking forward seeing many more of these fragrant blooms for a few weeks.

Cymbidium Orchid - Viva Las Vegas

2009-07-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

This is another of my cymbidium orchids that currently flowering and its name - Viva Las Vegas.

It's flowers are large brown/bronze color with spotted velvety lip and it was bread for cut flower markets by one of the most innovative Australian cymbidium breeders.

Its parentage Coratea x Pearly Pepper and plants are of medium size with only a few large flowers on each spike - but what a beauty! Its fairly new release here in AU.

There is nothing modest about this cymbidium orchid - I feel that Viva Las Vegas have "an attitude" - bold, uncompromising, showy, primal energy, "like me or live me" type of plant and its very interesting for me see the hand of the breeder when he was selecting parents to came up with new beautiful creation, like an artist with a final goal in mind.

Viva Las Vegas does not dissapoint and I am sure in the future it will be popular in many gardens around the world.

Cymbidium Orchid - Pure Lama

2009-07-08T09:37:00.000-07:00

This beautiful cymbidium orchid currently in flower in my garden. It's full name - Pure Lama var Golden Goddess.

Its intermediate size cymbidium with stunning pale lemon color flowers that have velvety yellow spotted lip and overall visual effect reminds me of many golden bells swaying in the wind. It's quite prolific in in it's flowering with many medium - sized round sculptured flowers carried on flowering stems.

Like many cymbidium orchids it's been created for cut flower trade and flowers lasts quite a long time - giving this appearance of color, texture and scent that very pleasing to the eye and senses. Pure Lama is a beautiful orchid to have in one's collection and I am sure we will see many more varieties of this cymbidium orchid in the future.

Cymbidium Orchid - Eazan Shining "Royal Flare" x Death Wish "Speckled Spectre"

2009-07-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

Here is another cymbidium orchid from my collection - beautiful new hybrid created especially for cut flower production. Its full name - Eazan Shining "Royal Flare" x Death Wish "Spekled Spectre".

The flowers are full, bronze color and have long-lasting qualities and it belongs in the "novelty" class of cymbidium orchids. It's interesting to see how the "Death Wish" cultivator been used by the breeder to create completely different looking blooms.

At present, work on cymbidium hybridizing is being carried in several countries. As I've mentioned in my previous post, there are many innovative breeders in Australia, but also in the Uniting States, Holland and England. Some do this on a small scale, while others have vast planned breeding programmes covering the whole colour range and different times of flowering.

In the future, I feel, novelty type breeding should prove very interesting and will involve selections for flamboyant colour combinations which will benefit orchid lovers everywhere.

Cymbidium Orchid - Death Wish "Saratoga"

2009-06-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

We are right in the middle of winter in our part of the world, and it means that its cymbidium orchids flowering season upon us. Many of my orchids are currently in spike and I'll be featuring more of them in this blog.

More than any other genus, cymbidiums been subjected to very intensive selection and breeding programs, resulting in production and registration of many wonderful and unusual hybrids. Here in Australia orchid lovers are spoiled for choices when it comes to these orchids, since we have many dedicated breeders who constantly working in improving quality of breeding gene pool.

The cymbidium orchid in the picture called Death Wish "Saratoga", its a cross between Pywacket x Disney Girl and belong in "novelty" class of cymbidium orchids. It have unusual, bold blooms with large beautiful spotted colored flowers. Its a standard cymbidium with long arching spikes. I've purchased it a couple of years ago and its flowering first time for me. More pictures of this blooming plant down the page.

Bulbophyllum orchid - var lobbii

2009-06-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

Bulbophyllum huge genus numbers more than two thousand species and these are widely distributed in most tropical parts of the world, with a concentration in New Guinea where more than six hundred species occur. All species are grow on rocks or on trees.

Because of the large number of species and wide distribution, it is difficult to generalise about this genus. While those species which are highly ornamental or distinct novelties have become well known in cultivation, by the large very few species of Bulbophyllum are commonly grown - this is a great disappointment for many species are rewarding subjects and adapt well to cultivation.

My Bulbophyllum orchid is var lobbii (named after Thomas Lobb, original collector) - its a wonderful orchid valued for its large, interesting flowers which have fragrance similar to cucumbers. Its native to Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, commonly grows in the mountains at altitudes of 1000 - 5000 m and its quite happy growing in my garden outside. It likes filtered light and plenty of air movement. Currently I've been growing it in the pots but waiting until spring time to mount it on a tree fern slab so it can show off its beautiful flowers to full advantage.

Wardian growing case for orchids

2009-05-29T13:42:00.000-07:00

Modern homes and open-plan offices lend themselves very well to miniature indoor orchid greenhouses - the modern counterpart to 19th century's Wardian cases. They are available in great variety and styles to suit any location. They are constructed either in traditional materials, using a wooden framework for the plate glass sides, or with stainless steel frames to suit a modern setting.

This type of orchids growing may not satisfy the compulsive gardener, but it does enable orchid lovers with very limited time to have an aesthetically pleasing growing area with vast collection. A growing case is also the perfect answer for flat dwellers, or handicapped people who may not be able to go into the garden. The attractive Wardian case with it's automatic heating and lighting in the picture was featured in one of the orchids shows.

The origins of Wardian cases go back to Victorian England. Horticulturists and wealthy patrons was hiring collectors to roam the world's remote regions in search of rare orchids. In the race to discover new species and stake claim to exclusive rights on behalf of their employers, collectors ransacked the sites and literally stripped bare vast areas of forest, so that certain species became rarer then ever. This collecting mania, together with the hazards of long-distance transportation inflated the value of precious plants beyond all reason.

So, throughout 19th century there was a ridiculously heavy traffic in orchids. They were dispatched to Europe in their hundreds of thousands, carelessly and inappropriately packed, often destroyed by insects en route. Only a small proportion reached their destination in a more or less satisfactory condition.

In 1860 important progress was made when the English horticulturalist Nathaniel Ward invented a closed glass case, virtually a portable greenhouse, in which orchids could be planted in moss or a slightly moist compost. The Wardian Case, as it was called, enabled orchids to be transported in far better conditions and these days this name used for special portable orchids greenhouses.

Cattleya orchid - var Grapewax

2009-05-23T11:55:00.001-07:00

Cattleya genus, perhaps more than any other, has captured enthusiasm and imagination of orchid growers throughout the world. Many growers specialise in the cultivation of Cattleyas and related genera,with flamboyant colourful hybrids, replacing the species in many collections. But its all started from very humble beginnings...

As with many major events in history, the most significant usually occur by accident. So it was with "cattleyamania" that was to sweep Europe, and subsequently United States.

A consignment of topical plants was being dispatched to England in 1812 from South America by a mr William Swainson who supervised collected orchids shipments and who, to protect them, packed round them some other tropical plants bearing strong "stems" and tough foliage. At least some of this consignment reached mr William Cattley, of Barnet, a keen cultivator of tropical plants and one of the first amateur orchid growers. Cattley was intrigued by this "packing material" and succeeded in growing some of them, the first of which flowered in November 1818. The large flowers with their flamboyant colors created a sensation, as nothing similar had been seen in cultivation before. It was studied by Dr Lindley, who found it to be an entirely new genus and named it after its owner.

From these humble beginnings sprang fascination and obsession of collecting these beautiful Cattleyas by orchid growers from all over the world.

Now we know that there are about 65 species of Cattleya, all growing in Central and South America. They grow on trees or rocks often in very exposed situations and range from lowlands to above 2500m altitude. In parts of their range the climate is strongly seasonal with distinct wet and dry seasons and this seasonality is reflected in the distinct dormant and active growth stages of many species in cultivation.

My cattleya that just flowered is var Grapewax - with beautiful large dark pink color flowers. Its easy to grow and it likes bright light, plenty of air movement around it . It gets plenty of water during growing season and then reduced watering during winter.

Cattleya's are easy to grow orchids for the beginner, providing understanding of the seasonal growth is observed and they reward one with these large beautiful flamboyant blooms year after year.

Cymbidium Orchid - Ruby Brook "Falling Fire"

2009-05-09T12:09:00.000-07:00

This cymbidium orchid is one of the new beautiful varieties in cymbidium orchid world - its a cross between Ruby Eyes x Brook Street . Both parents are pendulous and "Falling Fire" showing same pendulous characteristics with arching flowering spikes.

It's an intermediate cymbidium with flowers of solid red color with dark red, approaching black, nearly solid, velvety labellum. The flowers are very good size and this variety would be welcome addition to any orchid collection.

Last autumn I got a few un-flowered seedlings of this new variety and did not expected it to flower until later on, but one of the plants decided to send out its flower spike that early in the season. Must be something to do with our erratic weather at the moment - cold and wet and dark one day, beautiful sunny warm the next. Can't complain though since it gave me a chance to see this beautiful variety in flower and appreciate its beautiful colors. "Falling Fire" it is.

Cymbidium Orchid Anne's Balls

2009-04-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

Its autumn in our part of the world and it means that beautiful cymbidium orchids starting sending out flower spikes.

More than other orchid genus, Cymbidiums has been subjected to an intensive selection and breeding which resulted in the production and registration of thousands of hybrids. Valued for their ease of culture and prolific production of large, colourful flowers, these orchids are the basis of cut flower industries in many countries.

My cymbidium in the picture just started flowering and its called "Anne's Balls and its parentage Bridal Bouquet x Earlisue. It's an intermediate cymbidium with full shape flowers. The flowering spikes are upright and carry up to eight beautiful white color dark pink spotted labellum flowers. My plant is a few years old and many more spikes developing now which will give me quite a display this season.

These orchids are easy to grow for a novice as well as experienced gardener even though many volumes are written about their cultivation. They need free draining potting mixtures, they like plenty of water during growing seasons and to be drier prior to production of flower spikes, they happy to be in bright light during autumn and winter and in a bit of shade during warmer months and they like air circulation around them. With the exception of a few australian species, majority of them originating and distributed from mountains of Northern India to China and they are quite happy growing as a cool growers.

Epidendrum cochleatum orchid

2009-04-11T10:54:00.000-07:00

This orchid known mostly by it's common names - Clamshell orchid, Cockle Shell orchid or Octopus orchid. This species has the honor of being the first tropical epiphytic orchid to flower at Kew Gardens, England in 1787.

Its native to Mexico, Central and South America and West Indies, grows in a wide variety of habitats and one of the favourite orchids in cultivation. These orchids are evergreen but have a distinct period of dormancy when watering needs to be reduced. They are easy to cultivate and need plenty of water and fertilising with a lot of air movement during actively growing season.

The flower heart-shaped and broadly striped grow upwards while the narrow yellow-green petals hang downwards - giving appearance of some exotic sea creature.

Maxillaria nigrescence orchid

2009-04-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

Although this genus has captured the attention of many orchids growers, it has not achieved the heights of popularity reached by many other genera. This is perhaps surprising for it embraces a range of growing habits and most species have colourful, interesting flowers. With about 300 species, Maxillaria is a highly significant genus and provides an abundance of choice for growers who find these orchids to their liking.

These orchids are native from Mexico to West Indies and various countries in Central and South America, extending well into tropics of Argentina. While many found in the warmer forests, the genus reaches its greatest variety in the mountains especially the Andes in Peru and Brazil where most species occur.

These orchids are easy to cultivate and they like abundant air movement, regular watering except for a two or three week period after the pseudobulbs have matured when plants are kept on the dry side. They don't like excessive light and prefer more shadier situations.

My Maxillaria is var nigrescense and in autumn flowering with these beautiful burgundy color star shape flowers. The flowers arise in clusters of two or three from each pseudobulb. This species native to cloud forests at about 2,500m altitude and found in British Honduras and Guatemala. (another picture down the page)

Miltonia spectabilis var moreliana orchid

2009-03-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

These beautiful orchids are native to Brazil and grow at low to intermediate altitudes and were once locally abundant but have now been reduced by clearing and over-collecting.

They are easy to grow when provided with warm, humid conditions and an abundance of air movement. With their fine roots, these orchids are very sensitive to stagnant conditions and excessive watering can quickly lead to rotting. They prefer bright, but diffuse light for flowering.

My plant is a few years old and in autumn flowering with these beautiful large free flowering purple blooms. Its just started flowering with many more flower spikes developing and I am anticipating extended flowering period this season.

Masdevallia Tungurahua orchid

2009-03-15T00:39:00.000-07:00

From quite a range to choose from, these orchids have earned their place as a firm favorite with growers in many countries. The genus numbers more than 350 species and is distributed in Mexico, Central and South America. The majority of species found in high, mountainous regions where conditions are cool, moist and humid all year around. Under such conditions the plants have no requirement for moisture storage and storage organs such as pseudobulbs are unknown in the genus. All species have a compact growth habit and free-flowering producing beautiful floral displays.

Masdevallia's have a reputation of being tricky to grow, however as with all orchids, knowing their origins helps with cultivation. They have very fine roots which rot quickly if the potting mix becomes clogged. My Masdevallia Tungurahua just started flowering and I expect many more blooms during this season.

First orchids plants - starting collection

2009-02-24T08:38:00.000-08:00

Where does one get first plants? Perhaps a friend given you a plant. May be you have seen them in a local nursery. However you get them, you need to know their names and their needs. One should never buy an unnamed plant unless it is a species and you think you can figure at least what genera it is. Then you can bloom it and refer to botanical descriptions or expert to find its full name.

Unnamed hybrids are virtually valueless, unnamed plants can not be shown and half the fun of growing orchids is learning about their origins and genealogy.

Keep in mind your conditions when buying your first plants. Until you have really accumulated lots of experience in growing orchids, you should not try plants whose needs you can't meet.

Many modern hybrids are so complex that these plants less fussy about temperatures. Modern hybridizers have "warmed up" many cool growing orchids by breeding them with species from warmer areas. For example miniature Cymbidiums are intermediate while standard one's cool growing.

If you have joined your local Orchid Society, you will have immediate access to good plants. Most growers have divisions to give or sell. Try not to invest in an awarded plant until you know you can handle it, however do try to get plants in good growing condition. Seedlings and back bulbs are not for a beginner - they may be years from blooming.

Some of the members of your local society will be commercial growers. Make an appointment to see them, be ready to listen and learn, and ask for their recommendations. You can ask to visit some member's greenhouses - every greenhouse is different, but there is something to learn everywhere. When you get there, try not to look at plants only. Look at benches, the heating, shading, watering, hoses, etc... See how plants are arranged. Not everything you see will apply to your own conditions, but keep an open mind. Make notes or sketches and ask questions.

Another good advise for a beginner - don't load up only one genus. Try different orchids if your growing conditions are intermediate. Sticking to just cattleyas or just cymbidiums makes a dull collection and a look of sameness. Most people don't realize how different orchid blooms can be.

However you get your first plants, through friends, commercial growers, ads, catalogues or auctions, try to buy plants that give you flowers at all seasons of the year.

Some Cattleyas bloom more than once a year. Some bloom in season. Most Phalaenopsis bloom in spring. Cymbidiums start in autumn and go on through spring. Catalogues will tell you if an orchid is early, middle or late flowering. Find out about expected bloom period of plants, trying not to buy three of four purple Cattleyas all blooming in autumn.

Often you will find "combination offering" at reduced prices and these are good deals for a beginner to try to grow different species and to see the magic of orchids.

(Photo from Australian Orchids Council screensaver)

Native cymbidium from a garbage dump

2009-02-13T21:58:00.000-08:00

Well, everyone will agree - not much to look at, dry and shriveled, not many roots and one will not call it "beautiful" or "special" by any stretch of imagination. Still...

This plant came to me couple of days ago via friend who spotted it while driving and noticing land clearing for new housing development - all vegetation was dumped in a garbage baking under the hot sun and he though that it may be a cymbidium orchid. He stopped, pulled it out from the dump, found old black plastic pot, covered it with soil and brought it to me.

I am very grateful to him for his effort and for this plant - its Australian native cymbidium var suave and its going to be really nice and beautiful plant when it recovers. Cymbidiums suave recently been used in crossess quite a lot to produce miniature size cymbidiums, since they have smaller leaves and flowers and very nice sweet scent.

I've already cleaned it up, cut down all dry leaves and roots, repotted it into fresh compost and at the moment its placed in the shadiest area of the garden to recover. All I need to do now is to keep watering and checking it out regularly. I am sure it will recover soon - its a tough variety with masses of beautiful small flowers and I'll be taking pictures of it when its starts flowering.

One of the rare Natives

2009-01-31T12:15:00.000-08:00

This beautiful Geodorum densiflorum orchid one of the rare terrestrial orchids from tropical regions of Queensland and currently registered on plants threatened species list.

Its dormant in winter with bulbs half buried in the soil. It grows in open eucalypus forests displaying large leaves with long erect stem.

It flowers in January, with stem holding up to 20 pale pink flowers and as it matures, it nods, hence the orchid's common name - Pink Nodding Orchid.

This picture was taken by my friend who's active in Landcare, Coastcare and local bush regeneration groups. A small colony of these orchids was spotted and pictures were taken, then left them in the wild to grow and multiply for the future. What an absolute privilege to see this beautiful, rare plant growing in its native habitat!

Phalaenopsis by the pond

2009-01-24T10:57:00.000-08:00

This orchid is another success from my "intensive care orchid unit" - it came to me via friend couple of years ago in a rather poor state. It was all dried up with no flowers or leaves and no visible roots and was destined for the compost bin.

The challenge was to keep it barely alive until it started to grow new roots and from then on, it was just a matter of providing conditions that it liked. I've potted it into small plastic pot in pure moss so that it could start growing roots and was misting it with water regularly. Then the leaves started grow and finally the flower spikes.

Its turned out quite a beautiful color luminous yellow/hot pink/green phalaenopsis of larger size and as you can see in the picture (another picture further down) its growing strongly. Last summer I've potted it into larger pot and its started showing its true colors. At the moment, in the middle of summer, our weather is quite hot and dry and this plant very happy sitting on the edge of my small water lilly pond, absorbing additional moisture through the leaves and the roots.

These days a lot of phalaenopsis orchids sold as an indoor plants and of course they are beautiful plants and can decorate any room with their magical blooms, however they should never be allowed to dry out. They don't have any bulbs or canes to reserve moisture and once dried up, its difficult to bring them back to flowering state. Difficult, but not impossible since its all about understanding what they need. If ever you come across dried up, shriveled, leafless orchid, give it a go and try to get it growing again - it will reward you for many years to come.

My smallest orchid

2009-01-15T08:57:00.000-08:00

This tiny Australian native dendrobium orchid is the smallest orchid in my collection. Its just started flowering couple of days ago and the flowers are pale cream color with quite a strong sweet scent.

I've mounted it among my other australian native orchids on the fern slab since its more practical for it to grow this way than in any type of container. In its natural habitat it grows on branches of trees in our native forests. Like all dendrobiums it holds moisture reserve in its bulbs. Its easy to grow since its requirements are very basic - a bit of light, a bit of moisture and good air circulation.

This orchid been with me quite a few years now and every year in summer it develops another tiny bulb and then sends flowering spike. Another example of the diversity of these beautiful magical plants.

Bifrenaria harrisoniae orchid

2009-01-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

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.

Stanhopea Tigrina orchid

2009-01-02T09:21:00.003-08:00

Yesterday morning my Stanhopea Tigrina opened up its flowers and as usual presented its beautiful majestic flowers in its full glory. It took only a few minutes for it to unfold from the tight flower bud to this unusual and delightful strongly vanilla/ chocolate scented marvel.

Stanhopea Tigrina native to Mexico's mountain regions and been popular with orchid collectors since its discovery by english explorers in 1800's.

These orchids are not hard to grow but they do have their specific requirements - they have to grow in an open planters so that they can send their flowering spikes through the bottom of the planter. They need shady situation and copious amount of watering during growing time with drier conditions in winter and they prefer warmth, humidity and a lot of air movement.

Stanhopea flowers stay open on the plant only for a short time - 3 or 4 days only and every year in early summer its a waiting game to see if I get any flower spikes on my plant since stanhopea's flowering can be effected by many factors such as unusually cold winter temperatures or low humidity. This year my plant developed a few flower spikes and I am looking forward seeing extended flowering period. More pictures further down the page.

How does one describe stanhopea orchids - rare, unusual, spectacular, fascinating, amazing, astonishing, majestic, beautiful, temperamental, frustrating, capricious, and if you prepared to wait about 360 days to see the magic, they will not disapoint you.

Orchids - understanding their requirements

2008-12-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

Orchids plants are easy to grow as can be testified by the huge number of growers to be found in various countries around the world. Its easy for people in the tropics to grow orchids but even in extremely cold climates it is possible to create suitable conditions and grow these beautiful plants.

A novice orchid grower usually is somewhat starry-eyed about the subject and tries to grow as wide a range of orchids as possible. Experience is the best teacher and hardened growers realize only too well the folly of trying to grow orchids which have vastly different cultural requirements together, in similar conditions. With such a tremendous range of orchids available to select from, its not difficult to choose a group which will thrive in a particular set of conditions. The message then for a beginner is to gain as much knowledge as possible from experienced growers, orchids periodicals and books. Joining a local orchid society is one of the best ways to start.

In my personal opinion, the best orchid growers are those who have a good understanding of the requirements of their plants. One of the most effective ways to gain this knowledge is to observe orchid plants growing in their native state. Unfortunately this is not always posiible and the next best approach is to read avidly. Orchid journals can provide wealth of information not only directed to cultivation of plants but also in reports of collectors who have been fortunate to visit out-of-the-way localities. Even a photograph of the terrain can provide clues - note whether the vegetation is open or dense, the topography flat or steep, large boulders and cliff faces obvious or the mountain tops covered in mist. These are the sort of conditions that can influence the requirements of a species and an observant grower takes note of them.

As an example I am attaching some photos of orchids growing in the wild and as you can see some require a lot of air movement and light, some prefer humid, misty situations, other prefer drier situations with plenty of light but no direct sunlight. By observing and learning of cultural requirements of a particular orchid specie you will know if its suitable to grow in your particular environment.

Brassia verrucosa orchid

2008-12-22T09:10:00.000-08:00

Brassia orchids are easily recognized by their elongated segments, distinctive floral arrangement on the racemes and the entire column and labellum. Because they are easy to grow and always rewarding with their massive display of flowers, they are firm favorites with experienced orchid growers as well as the novice.

Brassia verrucosa native to shady mountain forests of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Venezuela, they grow as epiphytes and appreciate gentle air movement, high humidity and bright light, but not direct sun which can burn them. They grow in an altitude of over 1500m and quite cold tolerant. The spidery flowers are long lasting and have an attractive light jasmine scent.

My Brassia plant is a few years old and always flowering at Christmas time - I took these pictures yesterday to show this magnificent display of flowers. I grow it under the shade of the tree and it gets normal watering and occasional feed. The flowers a bit difficult to photograph as they sway in gentle breeze, dispersing their beautiful scent. The flowers will stay on the plant for about 3 weeks and this easy growing and rewarding orchid welcome addition to any orchid collection.

Stanhopea orchid

2008-12-17T23:25:00.001-08:00

Its beginning of summer here in Sydney and it means that stanhopea orchids waking up from their sleep. They are fascinating plants and never fail to delight and to amuse orchid growers.

Stanhopea's native to Central and South America and Mexico and they are one of the most beautiful orchid species. They send their flowering spikes through the bottom of the planters. My stanhopea just started developing flower spikes and I've captured in the picture three spikes currently developing. The spikes will be growing and maturing for another couple of weeks or so, and then flowers will open with most heavenly vanilla / chocolate scent. The flowers stay on the plant for a very short time, only 3-4 days or so, but well worth waiting for.

Depending on the weather, some years my stanhopea orchids flowered right on Christmas day, and some years just before or just after Christmas. I have couple of varieties of stanhopea's and will take pictures of them when they are in flower.

Coelogyne massangeana orchid

2008-12-10T08:36:00.000-08:00

These beautiful orchids in its native habitat grows on trees or rocks often in bright but diffuse light. They are popular with collectors and generally easy to grow and flower freely. They must have excellent drainage, bright diffuse light and good air movement.

Coelogyne massangeana producing strongly pendulous racemes which can carry up to 20 flowers. The racemes are capable of extremely rapid growth and all of the beautiful flowers open within a short time of each other. The flowers are cream/pale yellow, about 6 cm across and very strongly fragrant. They have prominent brown labellum with a distinctly warty surface. Its native to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand where it grows on ridges and lopes in the mountains. This orchid quite cold tolerant and have distinct period of rest when water should be applied sparingly.

My orchid in the picture is a few years old and always flowering in early summer. Its always interesting to witness this rapid growth of flower spikes - once they start growing they add about 5 cm in size every couple of hours. More flower spikes are developing on the side and back of the plant and I am looking forward enjoying its extended flowering period. Its a rewarding and easy species to grow for a novice as well as experienced collector.

Orchid Dendrobium thrysiflorum

2008-12-05T09:56:00.001-08:00

The dense, bunch-like inflorescence, pendulous racemes of this dendrobium orchid are eye-catching and in flower is a beautiful sight to behold. With its white flowers and contrasting orange labellum its beautiful at flowering time. This orchid is native to Burma, Thailand and Laos.

Dendrobium thrysiflorum is an evergreen orchid with dark leaves with flowers appearing in trusses early summer. It grows quite successfully in my garden under the shade of the trees and it gets regular watering during spring, summer and autumn. It needs to be rested during winter months and allowed to dry out almost completely with its pseudobulbs shrivel - a process necessary to initiate the production of flowers.

My plant is a couple of years old and as it develops more canes it will form more flowering trusses. The flowers remain on the plant for about 3 weeks and its unusual and delightful flowers make it desirable addition to any orchid collection.

Cymbidium Orchid Gladys Whitesell x Bulbarrow "Gayserland"

2008-11-29T09:46:00.000-08:00

The cymbidium orchid in the picture is another of the beautiful cymbidiums in my orchid collection. Its of intermedium size and have these delicate beautiful pink flowers. The flower petals appears as if been painted by brush strokes and dark burgundy color labellum feels velvety to the touch.

This cymbidium orchid is var Gladys Whitesell x Bulbarrow "Gayserland" and I've acquired it a couple of years ago as a mature un-flowered seedling. Last year it sent out one flower spike, but it was enough for me to appreciate its beautiful coloring and to look forward to seeing more flowers. This spring it developed six flower spikes and started showing its beauty in full glory. It kept its flowers for more than a month and I was bringing it inside a couple of times to decorate dinner table.

In late autumn I've planted it into beautiful wooden round planter to give it a setting it deserves - picture of it in full flower further down the page.

Cymbidiums are beautiful orchids and easy to grow for a beginner as well as experienced orchid collectors and they start flowering at the end of winter when not many plants are in flower, giving these bursts of colors around the garden.

Dendrobium Orchid

2008-11-25T09:26:00.000-08:00

These beautiful orchids has always been held in high esteem by orchid growers throughout the world. They originating from Himalayas and southern India, through Malaysia, China and Japan, and also in parts of Northern Australia. There is currently an estimated over 1,500 species of Dendrobium orchids.

They are quite easy to grow in our Australian conditions - they store food and water in swollen stems that enable the plant to survive the dry season. Many varieties are deciduous, shedding their leaves after season's growth and remaining dormant during dry season, but at the start of spring they burst forth with new growth and flower buds.

The Dendrobium orchid in the picture is var Mousmee and one of the beautiful orchids in my collection. The plant is over 10 years old now and every spring it flowers with these delicate beautiful flowers. The flowers stay on the plant for about 10 days.

At flowering time the completely bare plant, looking like a cluster of dead canes, becomes transformed into this most beautiful display.

Phalaenopsis Orchid

2008-11-21T08:55:00.000-08:00

This type of orchids found in tropical parts of India, China, Malaysia, South-east Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea and Australia. With their long arching racemes of showy, widely-opening flowers they are amongst the most beautiful of all orchids and very popular with orchids collectors.

They are easy orchids to grow if given their basic requirements, however they also die quickly if they are unhappy with their surroundings. They are a shade lovers and will grow and flower well under conditions of low light. They love warm to hot conditions, with high humidity, gentle air movement. Phalaenopsis orchids have no capacity for water storage and hence must never be allowed to dry out. They are heavy feeders and respond well to liquid fertilizers.

The orchid in the picture was given to me last year in an attempt to rescue it - it was in very poor condition, all dried up with one small leaf all yellow and scorched and the original owner marked it out for the rubbish tip. The name label was lost so I don't know its variety.

I've repotted it into fresh compost and kept misting it with water until new leaves and roots started to grow and then flower spikes started showing up. Like all Phalaenopsis, its "an escape artist", trying hard to push its roots from its pot and may be at the later stage I will pot it up on bark or fern slab. At the moment, though, its growing very well and many more flowers are developing.

I've got what some friends call "intensive orchids care unit" - sometimes orchid plants come to me in a rather sorry conditions and I nurse them back to their formal glory. I enjoy the challenge discovering their beauty and have a few of them growing splendidly all over my garden.

Cymbidium orchid Memoria Marvin Gaye "Royale"

2008-11-17T08:58:00.000-08:00

This cymbidium orchid variety was recently commercially released here in Australia, but I was able to get a few small seedlings some time ago and this spring couple of plants started flowering. As you can see - its an absolute stunner!

The plants are of intermediate size with really beautiful flowers - deep bronze color with bright red color labellum - the most unusual and pleasing combination. The parentage is Brook Street x Tom Thumb and this spring two of my plants developed couple of flower spikes. The plants kept their flowers for more than a month and I was able to enjoy its flowers for an extended period of time.

As my plants maturing, I am looking forward seeing more and more flowers of this variety. Cymbidium orchids are not hard to grow, they have their own basic growing requirements - plenty of moisture and fertilizer during growing time ( spring, summer and autumn), filtered light not to burn their leaves and good air movement - that's about it, but they reward you with beautiful blooms for a long period of time.

Paphiopedilum Orchid

2008-11-14T09:58:00.000-08:00

These lovely lady's slipper orchids flower in striking, often bizarre, color combinations: background colors may be white, yellow, green, or a combination, with markings in tan, mahogany, brown, maroon, green or white. With their lacquered or waxy textures, these flowers sometimes appear more artificial than real.

Paphiopedilum orchids are native to India, Southern China, South-east Asia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The majority of species grow as terrestrial in pockets of debris in rocks, in sandy soils, among tree roots. While most species favor shady forests where they may receive dappled sunlight, a couple of species grow in sunny locations.

Despite an absence of pseudo bulbs, these orchids are quite able to withstand fairly long dry period and very suitable to our Australian climate - most of the species grow naturally in areas where climates are strongly seasonal.

My Paphiopedilum orchids ( var insigne) grow under the shade of a large tree all year around, where they appreciate good air movement. I water them every couple of days in spring and summer and less in autumn and winter, if needed. I've been growing them for the past 6 years or so, and while the plants are not big, without fail, they are flowering every year.

Angulocaste var Tudor

2008-11-09T21:24:00.001-08:00

These orchids are from remarkable group of terrestrial orchids with pronounced pseudobulbs and large spoon-shaped leaves. In summer they produce dramatic tuliplike flowers. These plants prefer cooler temperatures.

They need to be protected from the summer sun or their leaves will scorch, but in winter they prefer a lot of light. They also prefer winter dry rest with may be occasional misting, but watering should be resumed when spikes start to appear at the bases of the bulbs.

My orchid is variety Tudor and displays these beautiful large yellow tulip type scented flowers. Its not hard to grow and welcome addition to any orchid collection.

Zygopetalum orchid - var Blue Lake “Atlantis”

2008-11-08T23:08:00.000-08:00

One of the great attractions of Zygopetalums is the contrast between the color of the sepals and petals and that of the lip. These orchids require good light with plenty of moisture at the root when in full growth. Air movement around this orchid in conditions of high humidity is very important, otherwise the leaves can become badly spotted. In our Australian climate, this specie flowering during early spring, producing heavy scented flowers that last for 4 or 5 weeks.

My Zygopetalum orchid var Blue Lake "Atlantis" been repotted last summer and this spring it rewarded me with these heavenly perfumed beautiful flowers. Few orchids are easier to grow than Zygopetalums and these orchids are excellent subjects for the beginners.

Cymbidium orchid - var “King Agate”

2008-11-07T22:41:00.000-08:00

The Cymbidium species are quite diverse and are found growing wild over a wide range from foothills of the Himalayas to the coast of China, and as far as south as Australia. They live in a range of habitat from tropical rain forests to relatively dry conditions. Most of the cool growing cymbidiums hybrids so wildly grown today have been bred from species originating in the foothills of the Himalayas.

My cymbidium orchid King Agate just finished flowering. Its one of the beautiful intermediate cymbidiums in my collection. The flowers are nicely positioned of burnt-fark orange with dark brown color and this year it flowered with five flower spikes.

As all cymbidiums, it keeps its flowers for about a month and its a beautiful addition to any orchid collection.