ID please

[Bea-FL]

A friend gave me this orchid for my collection but what is it. Looks vandeceous to me but I need to know what it is so I can give it the right light, water, media. The leaves are a little too yellow for me - this friend gave it a bit too much light.

It’s tiny. The whole plant above the sphag is only about 2” tall. The bud is the size of a lentil.

In the 2nd photo it is opening today and it seems the inside is whitish. Sorry it’s a little out of focus. What I find interesting is that the buds start out yellow and turn red overnight just before opening.

Sorry the 2nd pic is sideways. I don’t know why. The open flower is 1/2” across

[Fairorchids]

Impossible to say with any certainty. The current size might reflect less than ideal growing conditions prior to the plant getting to you.

It is definitely a Vandaceous plant. I suggest:

• Giving it light somewhere in-between Cattleya level, and full sun.
• Do not let it dry out (= water every 2-3 days).

[Bea-FL]

Thank you Kim. I grow my whole slew of Vandas bare root but I potted this one in a net pot with sphag…at least for now…because there are only a couple really good roots. If it turns out to be one of the very small species I may just keep it that way. And no, I don't let it totally dry out.

I think by tomorrow the flower should be totally open so I’ll post another picture.

BTW I love that acronym. I too refuse to rewrite my labels. I know it has to do with DNA but how can one look at a Cattleya and a Sophronitis and say they are the same genus or… or… I’ll shut up now!

[Fairorchids]

Well, in FL you can grow them bareroot, if you water during possible dry spells.

Up here n NJ, rainfall can be hours or weeks apart, so I use a spaghnum/bark mix for all of my keepers.

[Bea-FL]

You’re so right…north vs south makes a big difference. It's so much easier to keep orchids in FL. My collection grew pretty fast after we moved to FL…lol

[PaphMadMan]

From the plant form and the flower in the final pic, it is clear it is a Neofinetia (Vanda) falcata hybrid. Neo hybrids tend to respond more like the Neo parent than typical Vanda types. Care for Neo hybrids should be easy to find.

[Bea-FL]

Thanks so much Papman. Neofinetia it is. I should have known that considering the flower size and the fact that the flowers have that spur too.

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

From the plant form and the flower in the final pic, it is clear it is a Neofinetia (Vanda) falcata hybrid. Neo hybrids tend to respond more like the Neo parent than typical Vanda types. Care for Neo hybrids should be easy to find.

Probably, but not guaranteed. The plant looks like it has been in less than optimum culture for a while, so appearances can be deceiving.

The open flower does look like a Neofinetia hybrid. However, I have seen similar flowers with different lineage. I am trying to come up with some names, but they escape me at the moment (my wife does claim that I am going senile at times).

[Bea-FL]

Thanks again Kim. After some research I think it may possibly be this: Ascofinetia Peaches (Neof falcata x Asctm curvifolium). Sure looks similar.
No way to know for sure right now since the plant is not at its best.

Give it a while to recover and next time it blooms we’ll know better. I may cut off the inflorescence anyway so the plant can put its energy into recovery.

In the meantime I'll give it Neofinetia care and we'll see. Thanks again.

[Fairorchids]

Neos want to dry out between waterings in the winter. Ascofinetia hybrids should be treated more like Vandas, IE do not let them dry out.