This orchid combines our appreciation of several Cymbidium qualities: older hybrids and lots of spots. Cymbidium Early King is an "antique" hybrid by today's standards, originating in 1969. It is the cross of Cym. Grand Monarch and Cym. Lucy Moore. The background parentage is 39% Cym. … [Read more...] about Cymbidium Early King ‘James’
orchid portraits
Paphiopedilum argus
Native to the Philippines, Paphiopedilum argus is an uncommonly seen slipper orchid that certainly deserves to command more attention. With a flower spike over 24" (60cm) in height, Paphiopedilum argus towers over most of our shelf of mottled leave Paphs. Perhaps this stately gaze is why it was … [Read more...] about Paphiopedilum argus
Sarcochilus ceciliae
A sparkling pink flower in profusion! While Sarcochilus ceciliae is known to be a sequential bloomer, this particular flowering opened the majority of its blooms at once, for a notable display on a small plant. For scale, that's a 4" (10cm) Vanda basket in the photograph. The crystalline quality … [Read more...] about Sarcochilus ceciliae
Cymbidium Mary Green
While this particular cultivar of Cymbidium Mary Green probably would not qualify for a formal flower quality award, she certainly earns her place in heartfelt appreciation for beauty and abundant gold and pink blooms. This orchid was our introduction to Cymbidium devonianum hybrids, a group of … [Read more...] about Cymbidium Mary Green
Dockrillia (Dendrobium) teretifolia — West Sydney variety
We are fortunate to have the first bloom of a seedling of the very rare West Sydney variety of the well-known Australian species, Dockrillia teretifolia (Dendrobium teretifolium). This variety is thought to be extinct in the wild, and was "re-discovered" at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate by a visiting … [Read more...] about Dockrillia (Dendrobium) teretifolia — West Sydney variety
Paphiopedilum gratrixianum
Representing one of the many conundrum of Paphiopedilum taxonomy, this orchid is officially known as Paphiopedilum gratrixianum or Paphiopedilum gratrixianum var. christensonianum. In 2018, however, Harold Koopowitz proposed the separation of this variety into its own species, Paphiopedilum … [Read more...] about Paphiopedilum gratrixianum
Leptotes bicolor
Leptotes is a favorite genus from Brazil, and we even have a dedicated "Leptotes Land" for our small collection of species. The largest of the species is Leptotes bicolor, which is found as both the type form photographed here, and an album form. The outstanding bloom of this particular orchid … [Read more...] about Leptotes bicolor
Cymbidium tracyanum fma. album
Some growers have wondered whether the album form of Cymbidium tracyanum truly exists ... but seeing is believing. While I had previously found several photographs online, I was still intrigued and wondering what this division would look like when it finally bloomed. The orchid surely did not … [Read more...] about Cymbidium tracyanum fma. album
