Grammatophyllum scriptum ‘early riser’

[kavanaru]

very nice plant! This is a fantastic genus... unfortunately most plants are too large for the majority os people...

and you are lucky you can get the kiilani form in the USA. I have been looking for it since long ago, but it seems impossible to get one in Europe...

[Bud]

Thank You, Stefano ! The 'kiilani' had 14 fowers but I photographed it too late; I was waiting for the 'early riser' to open its blooms to photograph both of them to show the comparrison....I will photograph it in the nick of time when it blooms again.

[stefpix]

Did you notice any cultural differences between the 2? i am tempted... I have enough orchids but I like this a lot. something that can take a lot of extremes. The larger one seems more impressive, but the small one could be more space efficient in NYC

[Bud]

Thank You, Ramón !
I got the 'kiilani' from a grower in Wisconsin; aparently he also gets some plants from other sources, so I cant pinpoint the exact source of my plant.
About 4 to 5 years ago these seemed to be *the* hot plant; six of my friends inthe flower district of Manhattan(including me) got one. Mine apparently is the only one still living.
However, it has undergone some changes. The flowers have gradually declined in
size, number and presentation. The plant itself lives, but is not the beauty it once was. Each new pseudobulb is smaller, each new leaf less well-shaped.
I guess something odd happened in the "miniaturization" process to cause this plant to be less-than-thriving in general health. Its alleged larger sibling, the giant honking scriptum 'early riser', continues to get ever larger, more aggressive and very floriferous.
A brief googling indicates that photos and entries about 'kiilani' tapered off to zero after about 2010; mine is certainly nothing to brag over.

[Bud]

@Stefano: there are no cultural differences. They both get the same treatment and the same position on the fire escape/windowsill. I researched on the Gramm. culture and they only have a different variation but same specie....there is something in the degeneration of the miniature....the giant is thriving and doubling in size whereas the mini is slowly deteriorating

[stefpix]

Thanks... I agree the large one looks so much healthier

[Lagoon]

I just drool over this orchid - wonderful blooms, love it!!
I seen one of these orchids in our local greenhouse, its was massive and much to big for my space.
Lucky you Bud, congrats its beautiful

[Gage]

What a great species, Bud! Good growing! And thanks for showing the smaller version next to the larger, it's so crazy how one species can vary so much.

[Bud]

Thank You, Gloria !
I manage my space. I am lucky to rent one of the bauhaus buildings downtown with 30 ft ceilings to hang my vandas and my other large plants....its summer and some of the large plants are out on the fire escape....in winter it gets crowded but we all co exist.

[Bud]

Thank You, Gage !
This is just a sneak preview....
The other scriptum large plant:
Grammatophyllum scriptum citrinum ‘Hihimanu’ has three spikes! This is the spectacular blooms to watch....
This is the biggest and longest flowers so far in my life if it opens all its blooms!
This also came from Kawamoto Orchids from Hawaii sometime ago....I just love this seller: most of my plants that came from them are happy and healthy and blooming in the warm months.