A much loved Himalayan species of ours, Dendrobium longicornu 'Ernie.' This particular clone was wild-collected in Nepal and is distinct from the more common Indian form. We grow Dendrobium longicornu in our cool area, with 50F (10C) minimum nights. I have grown this cultivar outdoors into the … [Read more...] about Dendrobium longicornu
Leptotes pauloensis
A very small and uncommon species from Brazil: Leptotes pauloensis. While it has the similar succulent-like leaves as the more familiar and larger species, Leptotes bicolor, the flowers are quite distinct. We are also fortunate to have a plant of the album form of Leptotes pauloensis (image … [Read more...] about Leptotes pauloensis
Dendrobium vexillarius (pink)
A beautiful highland New Guinea species that blooms in all colors of the rainbow! These are images of two pink cultivars of Dendrobium vexillarius in our collection; we also have an orange clone and a red clone. One of the "pink" cultivars was purchased as a white clone. Indeed, it does open … [Read more...] about Dendrobium vexillarius (pink)
More than footcandles and lux: new ways to think about indoor orchid growing with LED lights
For a number of years, my handheld light meter puzzled me when it came to indoor orchid growing with fluorescent lights. I used it to adjust the height of lights above my Phalaenopsis, only to see the leaves redden up notably at just 600 footcandles (fc) on the light meter. That should be quite a … [Read more...] about More than footcandles and lux: new ways to think about indoor orchid growing with LED lights
Cymbidium erythrostylum
Cymbidium erythrostylum is native to Vietnam at elevations of 1500m (5000 ft). It blooms in October-November for us, and all local growers that I know. However, in the wild, Cymbidium erythrostylum is described as a spring to early summer blooming species. It is uncertain what causes the … [Read more...] about Cymbidium erythrostylum
Paphiopedilum tonsum
A first bloom seedling of Paphiopedilum tonsum -- the flower is almost wider than the leaf span. The species is endemic to Sumatra at elevations of 900-1800m. Paphiopedilum tonsum grows happily under T5 HO LED grow lights in our warm … [Read more...] about Paphiopedilum tonsum
Cymbidium eburneum (pseudoballianum)
We purchased this orchid as "Cymbidium pseudoballianum," originally thought to be a natural hybrid of Cymbidium eburneum, but also referenced as a species in the Vietnam database of plants (with no further information). It is compact, with foliage that is eburneum-like in growth habit. The flowers … [Read more...] about Cymbidium eburneum (pseudoballianum)
Paphiopedilum lawrenceanum fma. hyeanum
Reflecting my love of album Paphiopedilum, this Paphiopedilum lawrenceanum var. hyeanum was a joyful addition to our orchid family. It is a warm to hot growing species native to Borneo, at lower elevations, growing in leaf litter. The album form is relatively uncommon in cultivation. While the … [Read more...] about Paphiopedilum lawrenceanum fma. hyeanum
