Ansellia africana first bloom

[stefpix]

Jerry thanks. The humidity here is high for a shorter time. Have a Ficus benghalensis sapling that was forming aerial roots but they just started drying up at the beginning of September. I will try some different options to try to get a bird's nest this winter, maybe by increasing the humidity around the pot with a clear veggie bag and maybe water less throughly.... Anyway, one of my favorite species.

[nenella]

Congrats Stefano
Beautiful plant and flowers and photos!
I don't mean to hijack this thread but I took photos of a similar plant to yours at a restaurant on the Indian ocean coast in Kenya last December and ASP's comment made me go and look for the pics..

Originally Posted by ASP

....I used to see them growing wild and in gardens as I grew up in east africa, they get huge and break branches!

Here are a couple shots if anyone knows what she is? I'd be very grateful!
Apologies again for the hijack

[nenella]

and a close up of the flower

[stefpix]

Nenella - that looks like one of the 2 at the BBG. skinnier PBs and less leaves. Mine has more leaves even at the bottom of the pseudobulbs.

I wonder if these Ansellias could be split in more species as they look more distinct than some labiate Cattleyas that are separate species. Maybe Ansellia has been studied less?

anyway the last 5 buds dried up. I wonder what may have caused it, being in a darker room so I can enjoy the flowers of having taken it to the MOS meeting.

Anyway mine bloomed basically 6 months after those growing at the Botanic Garden.

anyway a great species, easy to grow and tolerant. Not super fast growing. seems slow most of the year then some faster flushes of new growth.

[ASP]

Lovely photo nenella, they seem to be able to grow just about anywhere.
That is the colour I've always seen them.
I wonder if anyone is growing the green var. and has photos?

[stefpix]

mine has yellow/green sepals and a very bright yellow lip.

[ASP]

Have you any photos ?

[stefpix]

here are some photos. had to repot in a larger pot as it had a tight rootball

[ASP]

Beautiful !

[nenella]

WOW Stefano that is very cool and very nicely grown. I like the green in the flower! I'm going back to Kenya next week and I will try and see if I see any others...