Blooming Orchid Species in southern California

[Roberta]

I just loaded a new Species Society page. Southern California Orchid Species Society I had a bunch of things blooming and other people did too. Next month promises to be another good one, based on pix I'm already saving.

[Leafmite]

Very nice! I find that by pursuing fragrant orchids, I have quite a few species among the hybrids.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Very nice! I find that by pursuing fragrant orchids, I have quite a few species among the hybrids.

A lot of times, fragrance is more predictable in the species. With hybrids, even with fragrant parents, genetics get tangled and sometimes they lose expected fragrance. So "Yay species!"

[Leafmite]

Exactly. I gave away quite a few SVO orchids because, though their ancestors were all fragrant, they were not. Most species that are advertised as fragrant will be fragrant. I have experienced a few exceptions. I had a beautiful Brassavola nodosa that had large flowers but no fragrance. I finally found a Haraella rectrocalla that is nicely fragrant.

[SADE2020]

I am always waiting for this link or your monthly blooming update!
You are an amazing, dedicated orchid grower 💗 Roberta...and very generous to your community.

[Roberta]

Thanks! With the demise of the in-person club (nobody wanted to do the work) I have to get my species "fix" virtually... but with the blog, now getting contributions from a larger distance, clearly other people feel the same way. I learn a lot from seeing what other people can get away with, especially those who grow outdoors.

[SG in CR]

Great variety of species you have there. Any advice on Guarianthe aurantiaca? It's native to my area supposedly, though no one I've asked, even orchid enthusiasts, have ever seen one in the wild. And even in cultivation it's a rarity. I'm trying to get a grower to get a flask of them going. According to what I've read they are actually pretty tough as far as orchids go.

[Roberta]

Guarianthe aurantiaca? I hang them in the back yard, water with city water. I'm sure they'd be happier with the warmth in Costa Rica, but they grow and bloom even with cool southern California winters. I hope that you are able to get one (or more).

[SG in CR]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Guarianthe aurantiaca? I hang them in the back yard, water with city water. I'm sure they'd be happier with the warmth in Costa Rica, but they grow and bloom even with cool southern California winters. I hope that you are able to get one (or more).

Asking you about it prompted me to ask around a bit more yesterday and I got the contact info of a guy who has different varieties of Guarianthe aurantiaca. He doesn't flask them, but he does sell divisions. I need to get in touch. He's about a 4 hour drive from me but I may be able to make it out there in the coming weeks. As it's a native and seemingly pretty rare, I'm hoping that I can get some to germinate in my yard or even naturalize in my area.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

First time I've seen this site. Thanks for posting, Roberta. And I'm insanely jealous of your Leptotes in bloom!! Still waiting for mine. Great pics of some spectactular blooms.