Many in Bloom....many more on the way!

[Curtis2010]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

To my understanding that isn't a Stanhopea, it is a Gongora.

A Gongora is allied to Stanhopea.

I think it may be a Gongora tricolor, idk.

Thanks for ID suggestion. Will take a look. I assumed it was a Stanhopea because the plant body looks exactly like another Stanhopea I have.

---------- Post added at 10:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 AM ----------

After a little research, I think you are correct. Definitely looks like a Gongora tricolor to me.

Thanks much.

[Curtis2010]

Thanks again for the ID help.

A few thank you pics attached. These are of some rather dramatic bromeliads that are also in the mood to bloom here. We've had an unusually cool and rainy Dec-Jan and both the orchids and bromeliads are quite happy about it.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Those are definitely very beautiful bromeliads!

1st one is known as Tillandsia bulbosa.

2nd and 3rd is some sort of Bilbergia.

I love Bilbergia, it has a very unusual and colorful bloom amongst bromeliads.

[Leisurely]

After our recent 27F night temp, I have come to realize that Bilbergia are quite cold tolerant. Absolutely no damage to the plant.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Bilbergia love it cold! They do the best during the spring, fall, and winter months here. Summer is ok.

[Curtis2010]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Those are definitely very beautiful bromeliads!

1st one is known as Tillandsia bulbosa.

2nd and 3rd is some sort of Bilbergia.

I love Bilbergia, it has a very unusual and colorful bloom amongst bromeliads.

Thanks for the ID info. Just ID'ing the orchids I have here is enough to make my head explode...so I have not even considered the bromeliads yet (which grow even more profusely here).

---------- Post added at 02:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Curtis2010

Thanks for the ID info. Just ID'ing the orchids I have here is enough to make my head explode...so I have not even considered the bromeliads yet (which grow even more profusely here).

...continued...

The Bilbergia did indeed have quite a spectacular inflorescence, but not all that long lived (maybe 2 weeks? not counting). Now that I know what it is, I will look for more here (I only know of this one plant for sure).

But, the Tillandsia bulbosa in contrast has presented an ever changing kaleidoscope of colors for what seems like months now (I don't recall the exact date when I first noticed). All are from the same "palette" -- shades of light purple to deep red. These colors have washed across different parts of the plant over time -- culminating in the interesting inflorescence I posted. This variety grows profusely here so there are many (as in hundreds for sure -- maybe thousands) of individual plants. This one in particular is close to my house so I notice it everyday...fortunately it also seems to be one the more dramatically inflorecing (is that a word?) individuals.

To top it off, I saw a "Mexican Hummingbird" feeding at another Tillandsia bulbosa yesterday....about 3 feet from my face (they are not shy).


(Note: The name "Mexican Hummingbird" (Colibri Mexicano) is what we call it locally -- not sure of the scientific name. Large by hummingbird standards with dramatic white tail).

---------- Post added at 03:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:58 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Leisurely

After our recent 27F night temp, I have come to realize that Bilbergia are quite cold tolerant. Absolutely no damage to the plant.

Jesus Christo, 27F!!! The lowest temp I have seen here in 6 years was 58F (overnight low). It is painful just to think about 27F.

---------- Post added at 03:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:07 PM ----------

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Bilbergia love it cold! They do the best during the spring, fall, and winter months here. Summer is ok.

Maybe this is why I am noticing them more this year...we have had an unusually wet and cool Dec-Jan. Certainly not "cold" by most peoples standards, but chilly for us here in the tropics at 60-75F.

[Curtis2010]

A "Black Orchid" (Encyclia cochleata) which has been in spike for some time now finally started opening up recently.

I used to live in Belize. The "Black Orchid" is the national flower of Belize. In contrast, the "White Orchid" or Monja Blanca (Lycaste skinneri alba) is the national flower of Guatemala where I now live.

Despite sharing a long border, the two countries are as dramatically different, in almost every way, as their national flowers.

[WhiteRabbit]

fabulous!

[Curtis2010]

More blooms today on the Black Orchid and, while we were gone for a few days, another NoID spiked and bloomed quickly. ID suggestions appreciated. Pics attached.

[Curtis2010]

I had the Gongora on a stand at the house while it was in bloom. Just last week I took it back to its usually place on a tree because the blooms were all done. Today I noticed it has two new bloom spikes -- wow!