Jackfowlieara (Jkf.) Tzeng-Wen Prince 'Azalea' Hi everyone, Greg asked me to show thi

[Zora in Zhongshan]

Hi everyone,

Greg asked me to show this beautiful and rare plant that is one of the orchids he sent me. He said there are only two of these in the world and I have one of them. Wow, I'm lucky. It's been at my home for 4 years so far. I have to admit that I didn't like it very much at first because I don't like red. Lol. But now it's one of my favourites because it presents perfectly. It blooms every year, sometimes twice a year. Also, it smells quite pleasant and it is a bit like camellias. I like its color of the latter blooming than the earlier, which is more fuchsia red rather than a scarlet with a bit of orange. However, the flower period is a bit short thatis the only downside. If the temperature is colder, a single flower would last 10 days or so, but if the weather is too hot, it could last a week the most.

Greg used moss and bark as a medium and he told me to water it once a week. It was growing so fast and the roots were stretching out of the pot quickly. After a year, I repotted it into a larger pot and I changed medium as full moss that it can hold water longer, then I can water it with light fertilizer once a month in winter and two weeks in summer. Well, I am a lazy gardener. Lol..

I was totally ignorant of orchids before having those orchids that Greg sent me. At first, I thought the old stems would bloom every year and I was worried it grows so fast that I have to change the pot bigger and bigger and my balcony is not big enough. Lol.. Later, I knew about it better and I found out only new stems would grow sheaths. It grows several new stems every year and the old stems will be withering at the same time, so my job is just to change the medium and cut the yellow leaves and stems. But it still grows so big now (see the last pic). Greg advised me to keep its present state because it looks so magnificent. But I will try to divide a part of it if it grows too thrive in the future.

Now it's growing five new sheaths and I am going to change its medium again after blooming. I hope you like it.

Have a nice day!

[gjanick2]

I am so happy for two reasons: 1. The plant and pictures are magnificent. 2. You can now connect on Orchidboard and post threads and posts and replies! SO GREAT!

If you decide to divide this plant, I wish that somehow you could send the smaller new division to Roberta. I think that she would be exstatic! Or better yet, send it to me in Chiang Mai Thailand. You could send it FedEx overnight (expensive). But that may not be possible.

I am as happy as you are! Greg.

[Zora in Zhongshan]

Thank you, Greg! I'd love to send it to you and people who like it, but it is difficult to realize. LOL...

[Roberta]

Yes, international shipping of plants is very difficult (and also uncertain) I think something best left to the commercial people who have all the permits in order. Hybrids have fewer rules attached, but one needs the documentation to prove that it IS a hybrid. (Inspectors are not usually orchid people...) Even with everything in order, one can't be certain that things will arrive soon enough to keep them alive. Alas.