Cleisocentron gokungsii 'Blue Borneo' CHM/AOS

[NeofinetiaCanada2014]

A couple months ago I was at Piping Rock Orchids and saw this plant and just was entranced by it. Despite my attempt to refrained from securing it for my collection, it found itself in my growing area. Don't know how that happened! 😉

This plant is one of the true 'blue' colored flower species from Borneo (where I was born), home of so many spectacular orchids like the Paphiopedilum sanderianums and rothschildianums.

Credit to Glen Decker for growing such a magnificent specimen and blooms. There are eight growths to this plant (one mother plant and seven keikis) and eight inflorescences!

I brought it to the AOS judging today and the plant received a CHM, a certificate of horticultural merit, pending identification. As many of these have been misidentified and confusion persists, it is essential for AOS to differentiate between gokusingii and merrilianum (a closely related species).

The plant had 18 flowers and about 125 buds on eight spikes, blooming from four of the growths.











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[NeofinetiaCanada2014]

Here's the description of the award. Again credit goes to Glen Decker!





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[Kevinator]

Wow nice plant! How are you growing it as of now? I'm planning to get one of these next year.

[JDT]

That's BEAUTIFUL!! I will have to check this species out.

[NeofinetiaCanada2014]

I'm giving the plant medium high light (one foot in front of south window, 5 hrs direct sun, 35% shade), high humidity, watering every other day with RO water, light fertilizer every other watering (rotate MSU, seakelp, super thrive, calmag), flush between, intermediate nights (21C), and company of my renantheras.

Piping Rock and Marlowe carry these plants.


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[JDT]

I saw that Jim Marlow has them but with his description of intermediate to cool requirement my South Florida weather would make it difficult, besides Jim will not sell me an orchid that will not survive my environment, that's a requirement I asked him to do when I first started buying from him and he told me not to worry that was one of his requirements!

[NeofinetiaCanada2014]

Glen recommends intermediate too with medium light. Perhaps Florida might be at that extreme? I'm in Canada so cooling in fall through spring isn't an issue ...


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[RosieC]

What a cutie, congrats on the award!

[Subrosa]

Congratulations on some excellent orchid growing! My experience with several other members of the alliance has lead me to swear off trying to keep other members for the time being. But if/when I think the time is right to try again, it will definitely be a Cleisocentron I keep or kill!

[sam1147]

Awesome plant -well done.