Papilionanthe teres
 

Strange orchid! The dorsal is folded, the petals are twisted forming a cover to the lip... I'm inclined to think that the flower exists to accomplish the pollination and that the flower parts are all meant to some useful purpose in that sense... But something really bugs me... what are those two horns for (perfectly visible on the bud and also on the back of the opened flower):scratchhead: :hmm!


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/...55835173_t.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/...8bb769db_t.jpg

Fantastic blooms, Mauro. I don't have any experience with this species, so I can't contribute an answer to your question. But the flowers are quite pretty. Can you post a picture of the entire plant, please (or describe how big the plant is)? How are you growing it--in an empty basket or pot, or with a potting medium around the roots? Do you water it a lot, or does it dry out between waterings? Thank you!

Steve

Wow, what fantastic flowers and so different looking. No idea on the horns, but I love it.

Believe me, Steve, it is planted in a black plastic pot with earth. But, being a creeping, monopodial plant, this is of minor importance because just a few roots at the base of the plant are in contact with the earth, the rest is in the air. I grow it in full tropical sun, outdoors, and actually I don't water or fertilize... It gets its water from the night dew, or when it rains, which means almost every day in the summer -December through March - and almost never in the winter - June through August.

Thanks, Mauro. Does the plant seem to suffer if your temperatures ever drop below what's considered normal in your area of Brazil, or does this species seem to be pretty tolerant of fluctuating temperatures? By the way, what is generally the lowest average winter temperatures that your orchids have to contend with? Do the blooms of this species have any fragrance? Thank you again for your feedback.

Steve

I have both Papilionanthe type and alba and both stand very well our temperature fluctuations. Winter temps during the day in my area average 18-20ºC, but at night it is common that they fall to something around 6-8ºC. During a few hours in the dawn it is not uncommon that temps fall as down as 3-2ºC (by the way, I'm at 950 meters above the sea level). These are the lowest temperatures we have here.
I didn't notice any fragrance, Steve!

Thanks again, Mauro. Very good to know that Pap. teres is, in fact, an adaptable species and, based on the information you've provided, it would seem that it does not require an environment that's hot throughout the entire year. I've been seriously thinking about getting one of these, which is why I've been pestering you with a multitude of questions. I do appreciate you helping me out with all of your answers.

Steve

The flower looks typical for the species...

They ARE commonly grown in the ground in tropical areas where they grow like weeds, with copious roots above ground similar to what Mauro describes.

This is the parent of Vanda Miss Joaquim (the old genus - vanda - is still retained by the RHS for the crosses downstream), the national flower of Singapore. (for some images: vanda miss joaquim - Google Images) My mother used to have a hundred feet or so worth of rows of Vanda Miss Joaquim in her garden. :-) They were essentially "parked" in the ground for support with the aerial root system doing most of the nutrient/water absorption, unless they were "parked" in coarse free-draining mix when you got roots going into the mix (at ground level) as well, if I remember how they were grown.

Edited to add: Just saw the other thread on V Miss Joaquim...

I love this Pap!
My fav ;)
Gorgeous!