Sunday, January 21, 2018

Aerides falcata

Known as " child of the air", found in tropical forest, free hanging roots. This one i got it from a hotel in Thailand; tied it to a wolden rod as support.Interesting started throwing a flower shoot...

Waxy sticky buds.looking like grapes

"Sickle shape"

Slowly forming.....

Full bloom

In the wild, usually abt 20-30 flowers..mine only abt 10..all well, can't ask for too much.lets wait for next year


Strong smell..err fragrance??

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Bulbophyllum lemniscata

A very interesting miniature bulbophyllum
Each bunch consist of so many 2-3mm tiny flowers.
 Deciduous leaves. Throws out flowers before new leaves grow.

Started as greenish. Later.....

Back of sepals densely hirsute

So so tiny

Apparently fragrant, but I have yet able to smell any..

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Stereochilus dalatensis - tiny beauty

Stereochilus dalatensis - bought this 3 mths back.It is found in northern part of Thailand. It is a very small plant, at most 4-5 cm.one potted, 2 mounted.eagerly awaiting their flower season in April.


The seller showed me this picture and I fell for it that moment


Monday, January 1, 2018

Paphiopedilum - return of the Lady Slippers

The trick to grow paph i think is not to over water(now i water only twice weekly) n in shaded area, best is thr a glass window. Too shaded, very slow grow. Too bright, burnt n die.
With this formula, last 1+ years I have been seeing gd results as shown below:
Paph leucochilum
Somehow flowered in Sep

This paph leucochilum lasted 2-3 mths

Paph niveum. 
Flower appeared in May. Stayed for 2 mths
Not fully bloom.compares to leucochilum, those purple spots are smaller n finer

Paph godefroyae.
First flower appeared in April.

Interesting, 2nd flower arrived in June
Contrast to leucochilum, there are purple spots on pouch

Paph bellatullum.
Bigger and darker spots compares to godefroyae ( Oct - late arrival, in wild usually Jan- Jun)

Paph concolor
Feb. Pale yellow.gentle flower

Even when no flower, paph leaves are leathery spotted green.Nice pattern.Usually the spottem green leaves species require more sunlight compare to non spotted




Gastrochilus sp

Very cute little flowers. >50 species in this group.some light frangrance..flowers found at the base, hiding initially but bursting proudly for attention when fully bloom.
Both these 2 flowered in Nov..lasted abt 1 month



Gastrochilus bigibbus 
Cute little flower with that "smily" face


Gastrochilus obiquus (yellow)
The actual plant. The flowers are found at the base, under all those leaves


Sunday, December 31, 2017

Bulbophyllum genius

Lets hope this time will be successful with this unique species.read that as they have short roots, this grp require more frequent watering n high humidity. I find this grp tough to grow in high rise buidlings but I m just fascinated with their different type shapes of flowers. I always describe this genius as "orchids that have flowers that dont look like orchids".

Started potting this yesterday.hopefully one day will flower like below 

Bulbo pulchellum.
Very small flower abt 1cm each.was rediscovered in Singapore in 2010

New spikes started forming.hope to see the flower soon n can identify the name. Suspected bulbo reptans

Another bulbo.new shoots forming.no idea the name of this species.that makes growing even more exciting

Bulbo lilacinum.
Will try if those above are successful

Bulbophyllum blumei

No luck w my previous bulbo.somehow can not get the ambience right for it to grow well. Last 2 mths restarted growing this grp Bulbophyllum, hope some success this time

While in Botanic yesterday, came across a tree which bears many bulbo blumei, finally for the first time i saw the flower..pretty.bright color.seems like flowering season is Dec, Jan. Was succesfully re introduced in Singapore recent years.

I will try this species again, definitely.