House orchids 2011

[shelagh]

Wow there are some wonderful pictures on this thread.  I was deadheading one of my 'house orchids' the other day when I noticed this double flower.  The top petals are fused.  When I looked more closely I noticed that this flower had a fasciated (not sure of spelling) stem.  Very pretty though.

[Maren]

Shelagh,
your Siamese twins are quite extraordinary. Nice colour on the lip.

[monocotman]

Hi,
this is Phragmipedium 'La Vingatine' ( kovachii x Memoria Dick Clements) flowering in the kitchen today. The plant originates from the Eric Young Orchid Foundation, via David Stead orchids.
The flower is 12cm across and still developing.
The plant sits in the kitchen in a window with the other orchids in winter and spends the summer on the floor of the cold greenhouse amongst the tomatoes. No extra heating costs.
The plant took off when I repotted it from the original rock wool into a normal bark mix last spring. It sits in about half an inch of rain water year round and receives a bit of feed when I remember,

Regards,

David

[Maren]

David,
terrific result with your 'La Vingtaine'. I wonder why it is called that, it means 'the 20th'. Maybe it took that many tries to be successful with this hybrid?? If so, it's certainly worth it.

Please tell us how long it flowers, I expect some news from you for Christmas.

[Houseslippers]

Fantastic & beautifully grown plant, David. I've been led to believe that Phrags & especially kovachii Phrags are difficult and demanding, but your what sounds like fairly robust treatment seems to suit them. I'm encouraged to try this plant now myself.

[monocotman]

Maren,

 I think the name is from an area in Jersy where the Eric Young Orchid Foundation (EYOF) are situated. They've named lots of grexes after places there.
It seems to be a fairly straightforward phragmipedium hybrid to grow - certainly on a par with other similar types. Once I found out that it prefers a bark based compost there was no looking back.I have one of the parents of La Vingtaine, Mem. Dick Clements, in flower as well, for the third year running.
From what I understand, two of the parents in this grex, kovachii and besseae, like to grow fairly cool. Maybe this is why it grows well at lower temeratures that you would expect them to need.
The only pity is that these new hybrids aren't readily available in Europe at the moment. Just a few on ebay now and then. Maybe the EYOF will release a few more sometime soon.
I'm sure by now they must be flowering the second generation of kovachii hybrids,

Regards,

David

[shelagh]

Can anyone help me with an identification of this house orchid.  I was given it as a birthday present 4 years ago in flower but without a label.  This is the first time it has flowered since.  The petals are quite thick and substantial sorry I don't know enough about them to give you more relevant information.

[meanie]

Can anyone help me with an identification of this house orchid.  I was given it as a birthday present 4 years ago in flower but without a label.  This is the first time it has flowered since.  The petals are quite thick and substantial sorry I don't know enough about them to give you more relevant information.

Sadly all but impossible. A taxonomist may be able to help, but I enjoy them for what they are.

[Tim Harberd]

I'd guess phalaenopsis. Partly since they are freely available in garden centres and supermarkets!!  Tim DH

[meanie]

Sorry!
I assumed that you were after the name of the hybrid....
It is certainly a Phal of some kind.

[Anthony Darby]

Phalaenopsis 'Heinz'? I think there are 57 varieties of this one.

[Maren]

Shelagh,

your pretty phalaenopsis is of the Brother type, and there are zillions of them and they are quite variable. The nearest I can find is the variety 'Golden Embers'. Yours is much nicer, though.

[meanie]

Well, I did have a wee look around too and the best that I can offer is Phal. Yellow Princess.
As I say, without knowing more about the plant and it's flowering habit etc even a taxonomist couldn't help.
I have a fair few orchids in the house, mostly noids. I do have three tagged hybrids and two species. But, if it's a noid and I like it I'll buy it. I buy a few from the bargain bin out of bloom too just for the hell of it - getting them to rebloom by moving them around the house (and the garden in the summer) is where I derive my pleasure. So far Den. "Berry Oda" refuses to rebloom for me, but I'll crack it eventually.

[meanie]

This is one of my bargain bin specials! It's in full bloom now, and extremely fragrant for a noid Phal. All round, a nice mini (20cm) Phalaenopsis.
Bought back into spike in a cool north facing room, moved whilst the spike was in growth into the warm office near to a south facing window, and then as the buds were starting to open it was moved to the cooler south facing spare room.

[christian pfalz]

hello,
laelia purpurata in full flower, 20year old plant....

cheers
chris