Some exciting blooms and a major disappointment (picture heavy)
 

There are a lot of flowers opening up in my collection right now (now that all my regional shows are over...go figure!), but there are a handful of plants that I'm especially excited about.

First of all, the Peristeria elata, "Dove Orchid" or "Holy Spirit Orchid":
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...f3a38cf929.jpg
This is a newly opened flower. I expected the flowers to remain tightly spherical like this, but they ended up opening a bit more.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...af1a2603b7.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...23fea7cb7a.jpg
It's not evident from these photos, but the flowers "braid" themselves around the spike, wrapping around and opening up in the opposite direction of their origin. They have a strong fragrance, which is very reminiscent of anise or licorice.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...877c5bbdce.jpg
The plant itself is very large, over three feet from base of pot to top of its still-developing spike. Oh, and did I mention I managed to nab this beauty for just $10?


Next, the Dendrobium Frosty Dawn:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...d67a6fabd0.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...6a06713ac3.jpg
I was especially curious about this one because it was marked as 'Wings of Gold', but I've learned these orchids are frequently mis-marked. Mine has no wings of gold, but she's still a beauty.


Prosthechea cochleata (or Encyclia cochleata):
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...e46f58dff7.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...db9043ed1f.jpg
Every time I see these happy little squids, I just can't help but smile!


Ascocenda Fuchs Sunkist 'Sundance' AM/AOS, radiant in the morning sunlight:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...bb78daa62e.jpg

Ascocenda Kulwadee Fragrance, whose blooms have just faded, only to be replaced by two more spikes:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...5dd5490890.jpg


And finally, Phalaenopsis bellina. This one is from Louisiana Orchid Connection, and is marked TW-3865 (MC):
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...dd384ca67c.jpg
This is its very first bloom, with another on its way.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...14af9c96bc.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...4131a0bba8.jpg
She was my anniversary present this year, and I must say, it's probably my favorite gift I've ever received!

But now for the major disappointment... My husband remarked about how beautifully fragrant this orchid is. He described it as lemon candy with a hint of exotic perfume. But I can't smell it!! What I smell is faint and very green, like a snapped twig with a hint of bitter grapefruit peel--not very appealing. I feel so gipped by my stupid nose! Does anyone else have a problem smelling this flower?

A lovely bunch of interesting blooms. I'm sorry you can't smell that one properly. People do have different senses of smell I guess.

Absolutely lovely! I am envious!!!

Very nice, I love the bellina!

I think your frosty dawn 'wings of gold' is named correctly. I have the same and it looks just like yours. All are absolutely gorgeous.

A great group of really beautiful flowers!

Does Kulwadee Fragrance live up to its name?

Thank you! I actually found a forum posting about this very topic: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ght=wings+gold

To sum it up, the Wings of Gold cultivar is rare, and is distinguished by its two bright orange petals on the top of the flower. Other Frosty Dawns can sometimes develop these orange petals, but only under very high light and temps. The Wings of Gold variety is very consistent in producing the coloration as long as it has adequate light.

It's possible that mine is not getting enough light, as the leaves are fairly dark (although it's in the same spot as my cattleyas). But, I think the mislabeling is extensive, because no one I know with a plant labeled "Wings of Gold" has ever seen gold "wings" on their flowers!

Thank you :) Sadly, I've not detected fragrance from those flowers. Then again, I can't smell the bellina either, so I might not be the best source of info!

Beautiful plants


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

'faint and very green, like a snapped twig with a hint of bitter grapefruit peel'

Maybe you got a wee bit less of a sense of smell in exchange for your ability to lyrically turn a phrase :)