Pholidota sp. A new genius i have recently acquired. There is great variation among leaf types of this genus; however, the flowers are usually small to large and appear upside down. Some do give off a unique smell...err? smelly?

The bigger of the 2 that I have is the Pholidota imbricata. This sp usually flowers in Aug-Oct. White flowers on a 15 cm long inflorescence. A little "over-powering " jasmine smell in my opnion, especially at night.

 

 

The second smaller one is pholidota articulate.

 

 

Paphiopedilum Part IV - my paph spicerianum is forming a bud. Let's see the "angry bird" face flower when its in full bloom

 

 

 

finally..full bloom in November

 

(borrowed pics - note "angry bird" at centre of flower)

 

so many "angry birds" in the flower market in Seoul

 

 

 

Paphiopedilum Part III - my other paph sp. Not blooming yet. Paph does not flower so often, hence need patience

Paph exul

Paph callosum

 

Paph hermamannii

 

Paph esquirolei

 

Once any of the above blossoms, I will post the flowers, definitely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paphiopedilum Part II - my other collection of this unique species.

paph niveum

 

This species is easily confused with paph leucochilum. The later has no spots in the white pouch while niveum does have minute purple white spots around the pouch. Now in October, it is blossoming again, seems like twice per year if conditions are optimal.

Nb the flower bud forming at the centre.lets see when it is in full bloom.

 

 

 

Full bloom in Oct

 

The below is my paph leucochilum. It is easily confused with paph godefroyae and paph niveum.

 

paph leucochilum

 

See below for the difference between the few very similar looking paph.

 

paph. godefroyae (minute spots on pouch)

paph concolor (yellow colour; will be looking out for this to add to my collection)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paphiopedilum - also know as "lady's slipper ochids". So great is the appeal of the slippers orchids that whole collections are devoted to this one genus. There are about 65 species found throughout Asia. The pouch, or slipper, is a modification of the third petal, is designed to trap a pollinating insect.

 

 

paph. hennisianum

Extremely beautiful. Got in from one of my trips and the flower still stands there proudly after coming to one month. Younger shoots are appearing at the base, lets see when the next blossom will happen.

 

 

 

paph henryanum

Got this species from the same place as above. Somehow climate/conditions seems to fit. Blossom lives on......

Based on what I see, Paph. best grows well in sphagnum moss or pellets of bark, perlag and charcoal. Place them away from direct sunlight but not in the dark (mine are placed next to window grills, with window blocking 30-40% of sunlight). Water every other day and MUST AVOID running water into the centre of the growths, where it can lead to rotting.

 

Neofineta sp - Japan orchids. Furan, the Japanese name for "Neofinetia falcata," started to be called 'Fuki-ran', the rich and noble orchid because they were loved by rich and noble people. Many years ago, Fukiran were covered by a gold or silver net in order to protect them and people had to cover their mouth with Kaishi (a thin paper usually used for calligraphy) in order not to breathe on the plants while they appreciated them. Many paid thousands of dollars to own one of this plant. That was an important era for neofineta. After the Meiji restoration in 1868, the Japanese government brought in Western culture and people became fascinated with tropical orchids that were colorful and gorgeous. Consequently, interest in Fukiran declined until the 1900's.

Neofineta falcate - in natural environment, it usually grows on the branches and trunks of trees. This means the plants receive high levels of light during the months of winter and early spring, an important factor in the number of blooms produced. The orchids grow at angles to their branches, which allows water to drain away quickly after rains, thus avoiding bacterial rot. Numerous whitish roots grow from base of the plant, anchoring it to its base and collecting nutrients washed down from above. These roots are accustomed to excellent air movement. An adult in an optimal situation will produce numerous offsets.
The flowers, usually 2-3 on a short stem, are white with a long, curving spur. A faint "jasmine" fragrance, especially  at night.

Bulbophyllum biflora - 2-flowered inflorescence. Tip of dorsal sepal and lateral sepals with threadlike appendages. 7-8 cm.

Sep- Oct - flowering season for my bp sp. Flowers lasted about 1-2 weeks. One of my favourite.

 

 

 

Bulbophyllum blumei - a very beautiful species. Not commonly found here. So far i have seen them in the wild in botanic gardens and deep inside Macritchie reservoir

I am still waiting for mine to blossom .......

Bulbophyllum species- one of the most diverse and fascinating species (in my opinion). Usually after a few days of rain follows by sunny days, these pretty orchids tend to blossom. To some people, they don't look like the typical orchids; but to me, I am crazy over them.

Bulbophyllum vaginatum - sepals and petals bright yellow. 5-6 cm long. Loves to grow on shaded parts of raintrees. When the flowering period is here (Sep-Oct), the display of bright yellow spidery flowers engulfing the whole trunk of the tree is simply awesome.

 

 

My collection of bp vaginatum. Some I have potted them on potted them, others I have tied them to barks/blocks.

 

 

Orchids- fascinating! Even in this little red dot, one can find very nice wild species of orchids.It is even more surprising that the world largest orchids species is found here - Grammatophyllum sp, or commonly known as Tiger orchids. Various other species are also scattered around this small little island

                                       
few species of orchids found in the wild on a raintree along Napier road (along the stretch of Embassies). zooming in, one can see Cymbidium finlaysonianum, Dendrobium leonis and Aerides sp.

Cymbidium, an epiphytes,is found resting on many trees along roadside (eg. Eastcoast road). The species grows around the tree trunk and its leaves are arranged in a form of basket with a long string of flowers dangling down.







Dendrobium leonis, a rare species, is a very small flower orchid that gives a vanilla-like fragrance.