Sneak preview of my Dtps Purple Gem var coerulea - Orchid Board

camille1585 · #1 09-10-2011, 11:28 AM

Unbelievably I got this beauty at a garden center. It was a Noid at first, but I went to the growers website, and lo and behold, it had a name!!
The first bloom opened last night, I'll post again once it's in full bloom. It has 2 spikes on it this year!

My camera had a bit of trouble with the colors. The bloom is a deeper purple and has less rust-red on the lip than in the pic.

Sorry it's somewhat fuzzy, it's getting really cloudy and the light is too low to take good shots without a tripod.

Merlyn · #2 09-10-2011, 11:40 AM

GORGEOUS, what a find !!! Guess it happens over there, too ! Just have to be in the right place at the right time !!! I've had my share !

camille1585 · #3 09-10-2011, 11:48 AM

I just love striking gold like that! Happens, but not very often. It's already been 2 years since the last time. My other awesome find was Phal Winganiae (schilleriana x stuartiana).

What plants did you get lucky to find?

Kelo · #4 09-10-2011, 11:55 AM

What a gorgeous little thing that is. Congrats!

Merlyn · #5 09-10-2011, 12:13 PM

My Eplc. Charlie Brown 'Rojo' at Home Depot 4/04.
Bc. Ethyle at our NCOS picnic swap table 6/04,
P. equestris 'Riverbend' AM/AOS only one at NCOS show/sale 10/04,
Bulb. burfordiense gift from my mentor 4/05,
Dtps. Kenneth Shubert 'Blue' at Home Depot 9/05,
Sedirea japonica 'Geisha Girl' CCM/AOS 80 points at GNYOS show/sale 4/06,
Grammatophyllum scriptum v. kiilani only one at NCOS show/sale 10/07,
and especially Cyc. Jean E. Monnier 'Myia' AM/AOS 83 & AM/AOS 85 points from SVO at our NCOS meet in 11/06 !!!

I'm averaging about 1 per year ! Since I go through about 100 per year, donate, sell, trade, or kill, that's only 1% that are "gold finds" !!! Doesn't mean I don't like the others !!!

RosieC · #6 09-10-2011, 01:21 PM

Gorgeous Camille. I have problems taking pics of purples as well, cameras don't seem to like getting it right.

WhiteRabbit · #7 09-11-2011, 12:31 AM

I love it! Great find, and good growing!

camille1585 · #8 09-13-2011, 04:08 AM

Well, looks like I won't have much to share later on, the buds are blasting. The spikes are too long for the plant to fit under the lights very well, and I moved it no more than 4 feet away to put it on the windowsill. Didn't like it, roughly a third of the buds of each spike are in the process of blasting.

I moved it back under the lights, and hope that I can save the remaining buds. This sucks.

ezil · #9 09-13-2011, 07:03 PM

It sure does! But on the other hand: you have the plant, you know what it looks like, and there's always a fresh beginning. It may actually award you next year with better flowers, since you'll be providing it with consistent care. Now the poor thing is just traumatized.

Bud · #10 09-13-2011, 07:07 PM

That is very smart, Camille! You went to the source of your orchid and found its name! Its a cutie! nice color and shape !