House orchids 2011

[Maggi Young]

I think it is barbaric to have done that to that otherwise lovely and well flowered Dendrobium... shouldn't be allowed! Poor thing, how embarrassed must it have felt?  

[ThomasB]

Two new orchids are flowering here. These Coelogyne hybrids have smaller flowers but they're interesting and the plants have a nice habit.

Coelogyne 'Pocahontas' is C. monilirachis x C. speciosa. Thread-like flower stalks and nice reddish brown leaves.

The second one is Coelogyne monilirachis x C. lentiginosa with upright flower stalks and highly glossy leaves.

[Maren]

Very interesting, Thomas, I have a fair sprinkling of coelogynes in my tropical house but never come across this one before. Thank you for showing it.

[ThomasB]

Maren, as a plant I think I can recommend Coelogyne Pocahontas though I'll have to see how it likes my culture longterm.
A tidy plant about 20 cm high with arching leaves and flower stalks which appear when the new sprouts are getting bigger. Leaves are somewhat glossy and change from reddish-brown to a dark green-brown. Must be gorgeous to see a big plant in full flower.

[Maren]

That'll be next year then...

[Tony Willis]

A miniature orchid I purchased bare root for 60p about three years ago.The plant is only about three inches tall and the stem about six inches long.

[daveyp1970]

Tony its a  Equitant Oncidium and a little stunner never had much look with them,you have done well.

[Tony Willis]

David thanks for that. The Orchidweb says they are easy,not for me. The second one I have shows no sign of flowering.

[Maren]

Hi Tony,

your equitant oncidium, latterly separated out into the genus Tolumnia, is a delight. I grow mine hanging from the roof of my intermediate greenhouse, it likes a lot of light. Don't over water. One little secret, it often reblooms from the same flower stem, so do resist cutting it off when it has flowered and see what happens. They can be a little difficult and it took me a long time to find the right place for them. And they are rather slow - your patience will be rewarded.

[ThomasB]

Cattleya Peckhaviensis (C. aclandiae x C. schilleriana) is showing a wonderful though somewhat strange-scented flower.

[ThomasB]

Another Cattleya is flowering here - C. intermedia with almost white flowers and just some colour to add interest

[Tony Willis]

Thomas those cattleya are very nice particularly the first one.

Here is a dendrobium my daughter bought me some years ago. It is a reliable flowerer every year.

[Roma]

One of my favourite house orchids (maybe because it flowers reliably every year and has been with me since 2006).  4 flowers per stem at a time is about the maximum but it flowers over a very long time with a new flower opening as the bottom one fades.

[Peter Maguire]

Lovely plant Roma - I know it wouldn't be to everyone's taste (too unusual for them probably), but I think it's wonderful.
Yet another plant for me to put on my list of things to look out for. 

[monocotman]

Hi,

a newish addition this year from Ratcliffe's orchids and flowering after spending the summer in the cold greenhouse amongst the tomatoes.
It will spend the winter on the kitchen windowsill.
This is a wet growing plant where I keep about 1/4 inch of rain water in the saucer under the pot at all times. It occasionally receives a bit of very weak feed.
These phragmipedium hybrids seem to be fairly starightforward grow for anyone looking to branch out from cymbidiums and phalaenopsis,

regards,

David