Brassia Mem Fritz Boedecker 'Witch Doctor' opening its first bud

[NYCorchidman]

I've been wanting to get this orchid for a while and I finally got myself one just recently.

I saw one at a show in the spring, but it was in terrible condition with high price. definite no no.

Then I saw moderately priced one in bloom last month.
I decided to wait until I do something about three other large brassia types I already had. I went back to the store the following day only to find they were all gone.

Last saturday morning, I went to the same store again and da da~ They just had a whole bunch shipped in from Hawaii and I picked the best one!

Double spike with 13-11 buds on each.
One flower just oepned up this morning and I took pictures of it. It looks very interesting how the base of the flowers open up first (as most oncidium types do) and the rest of the long and narrow petals and sepals are still fused together.

When I was done watering all the plants, the flower was completely open. The shape is rather off though.
I was expecting more of straighened out look.

[Zoi2]

Cool flower, love the name.
Joann

[NYCorchidman]

seeing this plant with all the flowers perfectly straightened out is stunning! not mine though. but interesting enough plant.

It gives off nice scent in the morning hours.

[RosieC]

Cool flower, and love the shots of it opening.

[NYCorchidman]

Ok, being a newbie to this particular plant, I thought mine had wrinkly flowers, but over the course of a few days, everything straightened out to perfection. (well, nearly so)
I would love to let the spikes hang down for natural look, but the plant came all tied up erect and I didn't want to risk breaking them. also it is rather easier to manage this way too.