Cochleanthes Amazing, blooming fool

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Cochleanthes Amazing (amazonia X flabelliformis)



Flowers are fragrant and this time they have an abundance of very dark pigment, closest to gentian violet. The last photo shows the strange necklace-like structure formed by the ridges on the deep fold of the callous, underneath the column. The fold forms a blind pocket behind the column. It is interesting to guess what purpose it serves.

I always envied the orchid folk who bragged about their "blooming fools". Now I have one. I removed all buds before transplanting into S/H this Summer to try to save energy for new growth but it just kept putting out more buds, instead. Finally there is one new growth so I let it bloom.

It even bloomed shortly after it was placed in water culture to clean up rotten roots it came with 2 years ago. Below is photo of a bud that formed under water and opened into a pale, skinny little flower.

[Dorothy]

Love Love Love the Cochlies!
Thanks for sharing !

[Angurek]

Cochleanthes is one of the next plants on my "to get" list (second only to Huntleya).

I love the dark purple color of the lip.

[Zoi2]

Those blooms are lovely, I love the color reference to gentian violet....my wonder drug! LOL
Joann

[quiltergal]

That's really unusual and quite lovely Maria. Good save!

[Ranchnanny]

WOW! That is beautiful. I checked out your gallery and I am amazed at your orchids growing in water. I have two that I switched to water to bring them back and I think I will leave them in water. I even think to try some other of my orchids in water culture...... Interesting!

Sheridan

[RosieC]

Wow, that colour is wonderful and so much deeper than last time. Great growing!

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Thanks everyone for the positive comments.

[greenbean]

Now Maria, I know you use gentian violet to disinfect your orchids sometimes. You didn't use it to dye this flower, did you?



Just kidding! It's gorgeous! Does it smell as beautiful as it looks? That deep, deep purple is one of my favorite colors in flowers, especially combined with crisp white like that.

I know what you mean. I need to get my own blooming fool. lol