Just to let you know I got two pleiones. For the last two months I've been searching for a Sophronitis mantiqueirae but, as I was not sucessful, I needed something to feed my addiction.
Something that doesn't occupy too much space and doesn't give me much work.
So I wated to get a Pleione formosana (species) and a Pleione heathfield (hybrid).
The first one was already taken so I brought the heathfield and a Pleione tongariro.
Now they are growing near my Bletilla, outside at the balcony.
Pleiones are great orchids and every year, you will have more. Someone in or Orchid Society has a beautiful collection of them. I grew them for a few years and really enjoyed them but there was some conflict between the family and the bulbs over fridge space...the family won. Maybe when the kids have homes of their own I will try again.
I just recently bought a small collection of 10 unnamed Pleione bulbs (species and hybrids). I planted them, and they're starting to grow (only 8 of the 10 grew; the other two rotted, and I have no idea if it was something I did, or if they weren't good bulbs, but they were cheap, so I'm not worried). All of them are tiny and probably a couple years from blooming, so we will see how it goes, but the ones that are growing seem happy so far. And I live alone, so there's no conflict over refrigerator space in the winter hahahahaha But I'm excited about them. They seem really fun.
Temps are now too high for them outside (28~30ºC - 82~86 F) so I think I will move them inside during the day, at least until they are more acclimatized to my environment.
By night time, I'll move them outside with temps around 12~15ºC (53~59 F).
Pleione Tongariro
Not sure if the leaf is still young or dehydrated. Remained like this after I water it.