Bifrenaria tyrianthina

[smweaver]

This is a species that I've come to appreciate more and more over the last few years. Although I'm still not a big fan of the fragrance, it's been a very robust grower, thriving in both hot/wet summers and cool/dry winters with no problems (the leaves, no matter what I do, tend to develop spots, but this doesn't seem to adversely affect the plant's health). The blooms are thick, waxy and long lasting, and this year there are fifteen of them on seven spikes. It's currently starting to produce nine new growths, so now I just need to decide whether to break it up into smaller pieces or simply place it in a larger pot.

Steve
Bifrenaria tyrianthina on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Bifrenaria tyrianthina on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Bifrenaria tyrianthina on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Stitzelweller]

nice job, Steve!

[RosieC]

Really nice flowers.

[Angurek]

Such a neat plant! I've been after this one for a while, but I no longer have the room for it.

Steve, from one fragrance connoisseur to another - what does it smell like? Does the scent have a chemical quality?

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by Angurek

Such a neat plant! I've been after this one for a while, but I no longer have the room for it.

Steve, from one fragrance connoisseur to another - what does it smell like? Does the scent have a chemical quality?

Carl, I know this is going to sound weird, but the blooms smell like earthworms. If you've ever fished or gardened, you've undoubtedly encountered earthworms, and while they don't smell bad, they definitely have a, well, earthy smell to them. That, to me, is what these blooms smell like. Harrisoniae's flowers have a really nice, sweet fragrance. So if you have room for one one bifrenaria (and you want one that doesn't smell like the garden center at your local Lowe's) I would recommend harrisoniae. That being said, however, tyrianthina's a great species too.

Steve

Steve

[Stitzelweller]

Originally Posted by Angurek

Such a neat plant! I've been after this one for a while, but I no longer have the room for it.

Carl, I appreciate your perspective. At one time, I had a BS tyrianthina (which never bloomed for me to my eternal embarassment!). It became a space hog!

I am happy with Bifrenaria harrisoniae and Bif fuerstenbergiana (aka inodora). They at least bloom SOME years and occupy far less space!

PLUS, they have pleasant fragrances!

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by smweaver

Carl, I know this is going to sound weird, but the blooms smell like earthworms. If you've ever fished or gardened, you've undoubtedly encountered earthworms, and while they don't smell bad, they definitely have a, well, earthy smell to them. That, to me, is what these blooms smell like. Harrisoniae's flowers have a really nice, sweet fragrance. So if you have room for one one bifrenaria (and you want one that doesn't smell like the garden center at your local Lowe's) I would recommend harrisoniae. That being said, however, tyrianthina's a great species too.

Steve

Steve

Actually, I know what you mean (I've dissected enough earthworms in past biology classes to know the odor first-hand). I wouldn't have expected such a nice plant to have such a strange odor.

Originally Posted by Stitzelweller

Carl, I appreciate your perspective. At one time, I had a BS tyrianthina (which never bloomed for me to my eternal embarassment!). It became a space hog!

I am happy with Bifrenaria harrisoniae and Bif fuerstenbergiana (aka inodora). They at least bloom SOME years and occupy far less space!

PLUS, they have pleasant fragrances!

I'll have to look into those. I guess I just need to get a feel for what the dimensions of the plants would be. More likely than not, I'd end up hanging them, because my ground space is mostly filled.

[Stitzelweller]

Carl, if you have empty space in the rafters of your greenhouse, that's probably the best place for Bif tyrianthina. My understanding is that it requires a LOT of light.

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by Stitzelweller

Carl, if you have empty space in the rafters of your greenhouse, that's probably the best place for Bif tyrianthina. My understanding is that it requires a LOT of light.

Actually, I grow my plants in my apartment balcony.

I can only wish I had a greenhouse.