I've never been a Latouria section lover

[voyager]

I've always thought they looked a bit grotesque.
But, the previous owner of my property left a pot of tall spindle shaped PB's that bloomed shortly after we took the place over.
I didn't pay too much attention to them as I immediately recognized them as a Latouria type with the sharp pointed sepals, petals and lip, and immediately lost interest in them.
Didn't even smell them to check for a fragrance.

Well, they were in bloom for something on the order of 4 to 6 months.
I was impressed, but not before the last blossom dropped.
It's been a year since the first time I saw it and it is developing another set of buds.
This time It has my interest.


It appears to be a Den. atroviolaceum or a hybrid with a lot of it in it.
The buds are about to open.
Surprisingly, they are a show in themselves.


I'll add pics after they open.
D. atroviolaceum is supposed to be fragrant.
I'm looking forward to checking it out.

[NYCorchidman]

I see what you mean. I love certain dendrobiums, but latouria section never spiked my interest for the same reason you have.

I do find some hybrid, especially a mix with the section phalaenanthe, quite nice, and might get one or two if I see some available.

One day, I picked up a small pot (well, actually two) of Micro chip, the primary hybrid, and I like how long they stay in bloom and two different way to enjoy. White dainty flowers with spots on the back.

Your plant looks just like micro chip in steroid! lol
I had no idea some of these are scented.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by voyager

I didn't pay too much attention to them as I immediately recognized them as a Latouria type ... and immediately lost interest in them.

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I...but latouria section never spiked my interest for the same reason you have....

Ah! But how can one not be fascinated by Den. spectabile?!

[calvin_orchidL]

Very exciting and nice healthy looking plant. I find I prefer the growth habit of the latouria dendrobiums - nice and neat without the tall scraggly canes. Some of the flowers are neat and dramatic, but I agree that a lot of the crosses with phalaenanthe are spectacular

[voyager]

After reading your posts here, I went back out with a measuring tape.
The pot has a 12" dia.
The tallest PB is 21".

Then, what I hadn't noticed before:
There are 7 spikes that have started from the different PB.s
They DO bloom several times through several seasons from each PB.

I do not think they're species.
To be that big and floriferous, they almost have to be hybrids.

While I have kept a D bigibbum, section Phalanthe has never caught my interest very much.
The D. Phal. hybrids are so common around here, I still can not work up any interest in them.
Most of the ones that really catch my attention are from the Dendrobium Section, especially the large pendant cool-dry-rest types.

[WhiteRabbit]

Awesome!

I, for one, LOVE the latourias!

[Optimist]

I like the weird, strange, more unusual orchids. The latourias are right up there.

[voyager]

One of the really great things about orchids:
There's enough variety that there's something for everyone's tastes.

Plus, if you get enough exposure to some, they can grow on you, figuratively.
Maybe I wouldn't have purchased this D. atroviolaceum.
Now, you'd have a fight on your hands if you tried to take it from me.
But, I still have trouble warming up to D.'s alexanderae, spectabile and such.
Who knows what my reaction would be if one were dropped on my doorstep and I had to care for it over a period of time as with the subject of this thread.

[WhiteRabbit]

[voyager]

Got wrapped up in other things for a few day and haven't paid much attention to this one.
Just noticed some of the flowers have opened:



Just went out to get a whiff of it.
I didn't smell anything, but daylight is fading.
I'll check again tomorrow morning and mid day.

As I look at it and compare it to online D. atroviolaceum photos, I think it is probably a hybrid not a species plant.