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Showing posts from July, 2015

Orchid ID: Rhyncholaeliocattleya [Potinara] Kat E-Sun 'Caribbean'

Try reading the name... just try... right... I know let's just go with Potinara, right? This is my first ever cattleya which I got for myself, and since then It's still a bit of a experiment in turning as I'm observin how the plant is developing as it was delivered to me in a rather good condition, except the root system was badly damaged and more than 60% of it had to go. So, right now most of the new root growth comes from the new side growths and it look rather good for me. Potinara Kat E-Sun 'Caribbean' is a cross of Cattleya Beaufort and Rhyncholaeliocattleya Sunset Bay, both beautiful plants giving the offspring their wonderful colors and fragrance, also with a a noticeable vigor and growth. Furthermore the plants seems to be very resilient and able to survive the worst, even a huge lack of the root system. Best grown in a coarse medium like bark that allows the roots to be have plenty of oxygen but also a good access to moisture. As this is not

Banfieldara Gilded Tower 'Mystic Maze'

There is perhaps this one orchid you like, well not entirely like. It's more like a curious unconscious attraction, but you are not sure why and not really sure if you would want this plant.You saw it somewhere online, or at your friends or at a show and still there is plenty other orchids you would rather buy than this. Yeah, this is me in this case and Banfieldara Gilded Tower is my such problem. I don't own this orchid (yet) and I'm not sure if it's love or hate or both at the same time. I really like it but I don't. "Mystic Maze" is a rather complex cross of Brassidium Gilded Urchin and Rhyncada (Adaglossum)Summit, yes that is a mouthful. The parentage is viable in the intense colors and the spider shape of the flower, also in the vigorous growth pattern and very tall and long flower spikes. It is also a thirsty orchid that requires a good potting mix, able to retain moisture and watering twice a week during the summer period when the temp

Cattleya Tropical Pointer "Galaxy"

I find this Cattleya very interesting, mostly because of it's uncommon coloring and spots. This post is long overdue since I got myself my young Catt. quite a while ago but since for my birthday I was gifted with another one everything in the world told me to do this ID entry, so here we go. There is a whole family of the Cattleya Tropical Pointer, starting with "Amethysto"; "Cheetah"; "Suwada", and "Galaxy", but there may be some other which I couldn't find and identify and proper hybrids. This family shows a great variety from size: mini cattleya to very large one's. Also in color, from pale yellow/pink with magenta spots in case of the "Cheetah" to dark orange like in the "Galaxy". The "Galaxy" itself shows to be a very good and strong grower, developing roots quickly and having a good rate of growth for the new bulbs, and from what I saw they can grow quite large and it will require

Miltonidium Bartley Schwartz 'Highland' AM/AOS

This is the orchid that everyone has it, almost everyone... ok some people. You can even say it's very common and you probably saw it at someone's house, in all of the big nurseries and shops that sell orchids, or someone had a YouTube video about it. Exactly, but wait, this doesn't mean it's common as in not worth having it. Miltonidium Bartley Schwartz is a very lovely Odontoglossum Alliance orchid, easy to care and growing well and fast, rewarding with spikes of medium sized but eye catching, fragrant flowers. Yes, I said fragrant. This hybrid was created by crossing Miltonia Red Pali and Oncidium Honolulu., giving a lovely combination of deep red petals and a white lip. Also it's a strong and fast grower that's why you can find it at a very low prices. (I purchased mine at a nursery for £3, amazing bargain and the plant is massive!) When it comes to requirements I can only say it's thirsty like most of the oncidium/odontoglossum type orchi

Loosing an orchid.

Today I lost an orchid. I though I'd share it, as stupid and sad it may be... to share thoughts on dead plants. Yes, it was the golden Phal. Sogo Lawrence. Since yesterday I noticed the leaves were yellowing from the crown, "Crown rot" i thought at first then sunburn but I have many other orchids which never suffered from that and they were more frail. Today I decided to cut the spike off, because if there is something wrong with the orchid the flowers will only drain energy and kill the plant. Remember - flowers are never sign of health - sometimes the spike may be a terminal spike, the plants last attempt to propagate before it dies. Next I though I will re pot the orchid to give it a fresh medium, healthier surroundings. So I did... and I swore a lot and was very, very upset with myself and the nursery staff, and I just though what idiot people must work there. All the roots that touched the edges of the pot were fine so from the outside it looked perfectly ok, howe

Phalaenopsis Sogo Lawrence I 'Orange'

A young, vibrant and very amazing addition to my collection. Phalaenopsis Sogo Lawrence I the 'Orange' variety, and as I have read there are a few color differences in this hybrid. The normal version would have a pink tint to the heart giving it a very 'twilight' shade, however the 'Orange' variety as the name mentions is pure orange. And wow what beauty it is. (Pictures not of my actual orchid but a more mature plant from the same nursery) The orchid was created by crossing Phal. Sogo Lawrence x Phal. Tying Shin Golden Ring, where the classical hybrid would be full of sunset color, the 'Orange' clone is full of midday golden rays. Furthermore the Phal. is full of fragrance and it's a very refreshing and floral scent, delightful. As to care I would say it's as with all Phalaenopsis orchids. Water once a week when the roots start turning silver, fertilize once every other week using a bloom booster when in flower and

Orchid wish list. - UPDATED 21 June 2016

Hello dear readers! I though I share my thoughts on orchids I really love and would love to have. Especially because some are quite expensive or not available on the islands or the continent, or the hybrids probably aren't sold anymore. Hopefully I will be able to find them one day. EDIT: Dear readers, i took some time to update this list for my own consciousness and just in case of any of you are interested or could give me advice where to get some of the orchids i crave for! So here we go: Paphiopedilum rothschildianum Paphiopedilum Rosy Dawn Paphiopedilum Santa Cruz Cycnodes Wine Delight Wilsonara Kolibrii Miltonia binotii Paphiopedilum bellatulum Paphiopedilum godefroyae Paphiopedilum leucochilum Paphiopedilum rungsuriyanum Phalaenopsis hieroglyphica Phalaenopsis lueddemanniana Odontioda Quedlinburg - Miltassia Pelican Lake AM/AOS - WANT Odontioda Bradschavi