Phragmipedium Hanne Popow X pearcei

This is a cross from Zepherus Orchids in Ontario. The light lilac coloration and general flower form is from the species P. pearcei and the reds in the pouch from Hanne Popow. Phrag. Hanne Popow (for those that don't already follow such things) is a cross between P. besseae x schlimii. The parentage means this cross has a love of water and can be grown in a "standard" Paph/Phrag mix. Mine sits in a saucer with water present at all times (the mix is wet, but coarse enough to allow some air into it.)

Phrags in general do not like a salts build up in the mix so I flush regularly with "pure" water (from our reverse osmosis unit.) I also fertilize once or twice a week with a fertilizer mix at 125ppm nitrogen mixed in pure water. If fertilizer build up occurs, it results in browning of the leaf tips.

This is the first blooming on this plant since I got it at a seedling.

Phalenopsis chibae

Phalenopsis chibae is a native from Vietnam. This one is mounted and grown in a south window away from direct sunlight. Once the inflorescence gets ready to bloom, I move the plant into the tank where it gets very high humidity (up to 95%+) and strong artificial light for 12 hours. It gets misted every 4 hours. Once the blossoms drop, I move it back to the windowsill. Without the high humidity, the advanced buds will merely drop without opening

The blossoms are approx. 1-1.2 cm across and the inflorescence has as many as 20-30 flowers.

Paph. gratrixianum X barbigerum 'Mini'

This little slipper orchid was purchased from Zephyrus Orchids in Ontario, Canada several years ago and grows in a 7cm (under 3") clear, slotted pot in Paph. mix. It has quite a large colony of fans and typically blooms a couple times each year. It would be a fine choice for windowsill growers with limited space and good light. It doesn't like full sun (I moved this into sun for the photo) or wet feet. Each watering is with MSU mix fertilizer for pure water mixed to 125ppm Nitrogen.

Tolumnia Tequila Sunrise

Tolumnias are actually equitant oncidiums and closely related to the normal oncidiums (or "Dancing Ladies") one would be more familiar with. They are native to the Caribbean Islands and grow attached to tiny limbs in the tops of hardwood trees. All of my Tolumnias grow in tiny thumb pots with chunk charcoal and are watered daily with a fertilizer solution that includes 125ppm Nitrogen. They also receive very bright light, in excess of 3,000 FCs and full sun when it shines.

The blossoms in the photo are lit from behind with full sunlight and the lighting on the right-hand blossom is supplemented with a small, hand-held LED light to fill in the shadows on the lower petals.

Dendrobium anosmum 2011

Dendrobium anosmum this year is early by about 1 month. Not sure why except the weather. The brown tips on the petals are from cold damage (the buds were close to a cold window) not typical when it blooms a bit later. The photos below are from a previous year.

February-March 2011

The relatively cool winter (with low temps around the orchids) and the brighter-than-normal sun, have resulted in some really great blossoms this spring. There are lots more in spike and I'll be adding images as they finally bloom.

 Phalenopsis Sogo Grape

 Tolumnia "Outstanding Beauty" (This is an unregistered hybrid).

Masd. Highland Monarch. This plant came from Ivan Komoda in Hawaii. It is relatively warm-tolerant (for a Masdevallia.)

Dendrobium moniliforme Tennyokan

Dendrobium moniliforme Tennyokan or "Heavenly Maiden" is a small Dendrobium from Japan. The D. moniliforme is the Japanese Stone Orchid and prefers rather strong light (2500-3500 foot-candles) and upwards of 60% humidity. Mine are grown under t5 florescent tubes at 85% humidity. I grow in fine bark in translucent slotted plastic pots. This cultivar has cream to lime-green leaves and pinkish blossoms. The blossoms are formed at the top of older, leafless canes. The plant stays under 4" tall.