Cattleya amethystoglossa

Cattleya amethystoglossa Linden & Rchb. f. ex Warner 1862

Synonyms: Amethyst Lipped Cattleya

Distribution & Occurrence:

Found in regions of Brazil,

The Plant

Large sized, cool to warm growing bi-foliate epiphyte cattleya. Likes to grow in full sun with lot of warmth and humidity. The pesudobulbs are tall and cylindrical carrying 2 apical leaves. The leaves are leathery. The pesudobulbs can grow up to 3 feet. This species blooms in fall, winter & early spring with a terminal inflorescence with multiple flowers.

Flowers are fragrant with white or pale rose with rose or magenta spotting

Flowers once a year

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

Species needs ample light, water and fertilizer during growth phase and a definite rest during dormancy.

Prefers a fast draining mix. I grow them on a mix of coco chips 30% & charcoal 70%

Water & fertilize once a week and reduce watering during winter

I am growing this orchid in a plastic pot with coco chips and charcoal mix. I weakly weekly fertilize through out the year. It is growing in a bright location and receives direct sunlight for a 4-5 hours in a day.

Pest and Diseases

No specific pests

Hybrids

Heavily used in hybrids as pollen parent and pod parent

it  bloomed in Dec 2013

spike damaged in Apr 2014

thrip attack on a single bud in July 2014

Bulbophyllum gracillimum

Bulbophyllum gracillimum [Rolfe]Rolfe 1912

Synonyms: The Graceful Bulbophyllum, Wispy Umbrella Orchid (Australia)

Distribution & Occurrence:

South East Asia & Australia

The Plant

Small sized, cool to hot growing epiphyte that grows in elevations of sea level to 150 meters with small and ovoid pseudo bulbs clustered close together with single leaf that blooms before winter (September to November)

Inflorescence is purple, long (6 to 12 inches) & wiry with about 10 to 12 flowers. Each flower is about 2-3 cms.

Flowers once a year and flower lasts about 10 days

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

Prefers to be mounted in tree fern or cork, semi shade, high humidity & good air circulation. Likes to be constantly moist

I am growing this orchid mounted on tree fern block. I weakly weekly fertilize through out the year. It is growing in a bright location and receives early morning sunlight for a couple of hours in a day.

Pest and Diseases

No specific pests

Hybrids

Few hybrids exists both as pollen parent and pod parent.

Flowered in end of Nov 2013

Dendrobium antennatum

Dendrobium antennatum Lindley [Rchb.f]J.J.Sm. 1843

Synonyms: The Antennaed Dendrobium, Antelope Orchid, The Green Antelope Orchid

Distribution & Occurrence:

Queensland, Solomon Islands & parts of Papua New Guinea on high tree branches at elevations below 1500 meters

The Plant

Hot to warm growing with erect cylindrical, cane like and basally swollen pseudo bulbs with narrow leaves of apple green. Plant can grow upto 60-80 cms tall

Flowers are fragrant and long lasting. Each inflorescence has about 10-15 flowers arising from the apex of the pseudobulb

Blooms freely throughout the year

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

Can be grown in direct sunlight similar to vanda. This orchid likes a fast draining media and likes to be dry between watering and does not like to wet too long.

I am growing this orchid in a plastic pot with coco chips and charcoal mix. I weakly weekly fertilize through out the year. It is growing in a bright location and receives direct sunlight for a couple of hours in a day.

Pest and Diseases

Snails and slugs are attracted to this plant. Other common dendrobium pests like aphids and thrips and common dendrobium diseases

Hybrids

This orchid is extensively used in hybrids

Dendrobium Antennatum in bloom in Nov 2013

Blooming again with multiple spikes in Dec 2014

Catasetum Penang Red

Catasetum Penang Red 

Catasetum Penang Red is a hybrid (Catasetum Susan Fuchs X Catasetum pileatum)

Synonyms: None

Distribution & Occurrence:

Low lands of South and central America and grows on trunks of dead trees

The Plant

Plant is deciduous and has strict growth and resting periods that last 2-3 months. Resting period is initiated post the flowering and should not be watered during the resting period. Watering during the resting period would rot the pseudo bulbs. Plant could be occasionally watered if the pseudo bulbs are shriveled.

Plants could be grown in semi shade or part sunny location on a fast draining medium.

Plant has different male and female flowers and each plant usually produces male or female flowers in a season based on environment. Male and female flowers look different . Flowers are waxy and very fascinating. Male flowers are equipped with a antenna like trigger device attached to the column and when an unsuspecting insect bumps into the flower, the trigger throws pollen on the insect

Flowers usually once a year before its resting period. Flowers lasts only a week or two

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

Do not water or fertilize during the resting period and water and heavily fertilize during the growth phase in spring. Start with a high nitrogen formula (30-10-10) for the first 3 months and change to a equal or higher bloom formula (10-30-20) after 3-4 months of active growth.

Plant could be grown on a potting mix made out of wood shavings simulating their natural environment where they grow on rotting wood

I am growing this orchid in a plastic pot with coco chips and charcoal mix. I weakly weekly fertilize during their active growth and stop watering and fertilizing when the orchid sheds all its leaves and resume watering and fertilizing once the new shoots appear.

Pest and Diseases

Prone to Snails, insect and spider mite attacks

Attaching photo of bloom in Oct  2013

rodriguezia lanceolata

Rodriguezia  lanceolata Ruiz & Pavon 1798

Synonyms: Coral Orchid, The Small Lance-Head Rodriguezia

Rodriguezia lanceolata is a species under Oncidium family.

Distribution & Occurrence:

Small sized epiphyte is from South America grows in altitudes of 650 meters to 1500 meters

The Plant

Plant is small sized, sturdy and a warm to hot growing orchid. .

Flower color ranges from pale peach to dark red. Each flower’s natural spread is 0.5 to 1.5 cms. There may be 15 to 20 flowers on a 10-15 cm long inflorescence. The inflorescence emerges from the base of the pesudobulbs. Bloom multiple times in a year

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

Plant likes to be grown on bright light but not under direct sun. The plant likes a fast draining media and a moist environment around the roots. Plant does well if it is mounted.

I am growing this orchid in a plastic pot with coco chips and charcoal mix. I weakly weekly fertilize through out the year.

It receives indirect sun light throughout the day

Pest and Diseases

No specific pest or diseases.

Hybrids

 Quite a number of hybrids created using Rodriguezia lanceolata

Following are the blooms in my garden in Late Nov 2013

One more variant with a darker shade. Bloomed in Mar 2014