Paphiopedilums are one of the most common orchids blooming during our winter. Since most of them are either from the southern hemisphere or tropical equatorial regions that fits with the general scheme of when it is best for plants to bloom in order to attract pollinators. This first bloom is Paph. Clementine Churchill, a cross dating back to World War II. This plant was a Christmas gift from David T. who got his plant from an aunt about fifty years ago.
Phalaenopsis Golden Peoker X Golden Buddha has a long blooming season, sometimes all year long. As the plant has gotten bigger the bloom spectacle is better and longer. Last winter there were seven spikes or more on the plant. Last summer I had to divide the plant into several as the keikis (baby plants) were falling off. This is also one of my oldest plants, going on about 15 years I believe.
Another Paph although I'm not sure exactly which this one is. Possibly Paph. Hsinying Flame X Paph. Laser. I have several plants with flowers having warts -- hairy spots -- on the petals. They are quite fascinating and I wonder what evolutionary advantage they give the plant.
This is the first time Dockrillia wenzellii has bloomed in several years. Formerly classified in the genus Dendrobium this species and a number of others were moved into their own genus. All have characteristic succulent foliage and are mostly native to northern Australia or the many islands north of there where seasonally high or non-existent rainfall but consistently high humidity and strong light make them somewhat problematic to grow on window sills. I hope I have solved the problem by putting the plant outside for the summer and then putting it in my south window for the winter where it gets several hours of strong direct sunlight from the end of October until the end of March or early April. I also give it a daily misting with my spray bottle. Doing this again this year hopefully it will provide a more spectacular display rather than the single spike it had last winter.
I almost lost Paph. Con-Con Bell several years ago. The plant adopted a fungus which killed many of the roots. Growing it drier for several months brought it back, and I'm very glad it did given its unusual coloring and shape. The name is sensible and gives an idea of its breeding. It is Paphiopedilum concolor crossed with Paph. bellatulum which give Paph. Conco-Bellatulum. This plant is then crossed back to Paph. concolor. The resulting cross is Paph. Con-Con-Bell. Concolor has a pale yellow flower with tiny red spots and is fairly warmth tolerant. Paph. bellatulum has white or cream colored flowers with large burgundy or nearly black spots or blotches and prefers to grow somewhat cooler. This is a nice melding of the two and the plant is much easier to grow than Paph. bellatulum.
This last plant may actually be cheating since it is was not in bloom last winter. Usually it blooms in May or June. Native to the eastern lowlands of Ecuador and Peru, Cattleya luteola needs a month or two of fairly dry conditions during the winter to stimulate bud development. Several months later it does this. This year I started the dry spell in November hoping the plant would bloom in time for the Spokane show in early April since the December drought has consistently brought May flowers.
So long until next time. I"ll try to be more punctual and not wait another year for the next post.
