Some things that have been blooming since April. I know it’s not technically summer but it’s been in the 90’s F here with sticky high humidity so I’m going to call it as such
Schoenorchis tixieri. I have recently become quite obsessed with this genus. It’s easy to see why. Grown very bright and likes to be a bit on the dry side. I move it under the balcony if we have several continuous days of rain
Schoenorchis gemmata. Another fantastic Schoenorchis and this one is just starting to bloom. It has completely different foliage, a pendant growth habit, branching flower spikes and a beautiful floral fragrance. It’s flowers are even smaller and just as adorable as the S. trixieri. I keep it in fairly bright light (not as much as the tixieri) watered daily but, like the other Schoenorchis, it definitely likes to be on the dry side. I make sure it has very good air movement
Dimerandra stenopetala. A sequential bloomer that I think is just about done for this year. I’ve only had it since April but I’ve been keeping with my Cattleyas and it’s been spitting out new buds and 8 new growths ever since. Didn’t seem to miss a beat when I repotted it.
Dendrobium unicum. This delightfully odd scented, wonderfully vibrant Den gave me 5 spikes this year and is working on 6 new growths. Gave it a winter rest, looked dead as a door nail, and came back. It’s like the resurrection fern of orchids
Dendrobium atroviolaceum. Last spike for this year and it’s starting to fade. I love how long lasting the flowers are of the Latouria type Dens. Grown bright, warm, always damp but in an airy mix, and no rest
Maxillaria variabilis. This had 4 other blooms on it but I didn’t even know it was in spike until a few spent flowers fell on my head. This is a cute little species so I would like to get some of the other color forms such as the yellow or gold. Grew it bright, well watered and I kept it in intermediate to cool temps over the winter. Also has a nice fragrance
Ascocentrum garayi. I can’t bloom a standard Vanda to save my life. Apparently I do better with the smaller ones. This little guy has 2 growths and 3 spikes.
Prosthechea chacoensis. I’m not sure if this is actually a chacoensis or not but it’s pretty, it’s vigorous, and I like it. I thought that the chacoensis only had 2-3 flowers and had slightly gray tinged foliage. Mine is blooming with 4 flowers on its first bloom and has bright green foliage. The number of leaves for the species are correct so if any has any input let me know.
Prosthechea radiata. Got this one in a trade recently because I wanted to compare it to the chacoensis (the second pic shows the two side by side, Psh. radiata is in my hand). The flowers are slightly different and they certainly grow different. I like the fragrance of the radiata better, too.
Prosthechea cochleata. Always reliable and never fussy, it’s one of my favorites just to have and not worry about. I gave it medium to low light and kept it warm to intermediate over the winter (hot in the summer) and it’s doing just as well as it did the previous year when I let it get down into to the 30’s F in my dark outdoor laundry room. Or the year before that when it was given medium to high light and lived inside for the winter. It’s one of those orchids that just WANTS to do well
Maxillaria tenuifolia. I had a much better bloom on it this year with 18 flowers open at once, last year was only 2 or 3 at a time. Not a great blooming, but better. And it’s enough to perfume the whole courtyard. It has doubled in size since I repotted it last July so I really can’t complain.
Angrecum distichum. I’ve now had this for a year and a half and it’s finally settled into my environment. This season it’s only giving me a single flower every other week but I noticed 6 new ‘arms’ growing, so I am very happy with that.
Paph Hung Sheng Bay. FIRST PAPH REBLOOM! I’m pretty stoked that I haven’t killed any of my paphs since I started growing them a year ago. This is my first rebloom but the fan did not grow as large as the previous one. Maybe it needs more light? Pretty long lasting flower though
Gastrochilus retrocalla (Haraella retrocalla). This has been such a great little plant. As long as it is slightly damp at all times it seems to be happy whether it’s living on my bathroom windowsill or outdoors in the heat. It has been in bloom or spike since November. There are actually a total of spikes 3 on there right now that I am going to cut off so I can let it concentrate on some vegetative growth
Long post but thanks for looking
Summer courtyard ‘19 (img heavy)
The roots are cool on this species. They are about as thick as my thumb and super woody. Smells like the perfume my Grandma wore in the 80’s
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