Cynorkis fastigiata

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Ah...Cynorkis fastigiata...

For the longest time, I resisted getting this plant, mostly because the way they are described, it sounded like a pest of an orchid that sets seed only to have them be dispersed all throughout the growing area and have random Cynorkis fastigiata seedlings pop up in the pots of other orchids.

What got me to finally give into getting one was the plain and simple fact that it was an inexpensive orchid and I was itching to get something, while keeping in mind I was training myself to grow terrestrial orchids with tuberoids better. I was originally looking for Ponerorchis graminifolia at the orchid show on the vendor's bench, but came across Cynorkis fastigiata instead. So I figured - "Why not?"

Here's a photo of the flower, (forgive the grainy cellphone pic - my SLR camera is inoperable because I lost the battery charger):

Cynorkis fastigiata | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I don't think any photo has ever done this flower justice.

Why?

Because of the really interesting colors on the lip. The edge of the lip is clearly a lavendar color. What people don't realize is that the middle of the lip is actually not white. It only reads as white or a little off-white on the camera, but they are actually a very diffuse color of florescent yellow-green overlaying the white, (It is extremely difficult to describe its beauty and colors).

I have learned to appreciate it's delicate beauty despite it's relatively "weedy" reputation. I definitely do not regret getting one at all.