Let's Play "Name That Orchid"!!

[AaronM]

Welcome to the wonderful new game show, "Name That Orchid" where contestants identify orchids not by the flowers but by photos of raggedy rescue orchids and a brief description. "What are the fabulous prizes?" you ask. Why, the greatest prize of all: the orchids don't die (because I will finally know what they are and therefore can find out how to properly care for them )!

Orchid number one has disk shaped pseudobulbs and single leaves measuring three to four inches. It has taken quite well to its new home on cork bark chunk.

The second orchid came to me with bare steeple-like pseudobulbs four to five inches inches tall and has a massive root system composed of dozens of multibranched roots that seem right at home in a basket of sphagnum moss.

Number three is an unhappy little fellow composed of stacking, flattened footballs topped with single "blades of grass" between seven and ten inches long.

The fourth orchid in question is a vanda which is supposed to bloom with large purple flowers that smell lightly of camphor (moth balls). It also has a genetic predisposition toward leaves that flop to the sides.

Finally we have a huge oncidium (that green thing sitting in the right foreground is a one gallon watering can) that sends out three to four foot long spikes covered in fifty to one hundred flowers each. The flowers are reported to smell of lemon and vanilla in either the evening or early morning.
contestants and thanks for the help!!!

[Shirley]

Hi Aaron, Here are guesses for the first three! 1. Could be Den. aggregatum, 2. A Lycaste or Catesetum and 3. Possibly Maxillaria tennufolia. No idea on the last two! I'll be interested to read what others think.

[kavanaru]

my guesses: 1.- can also be Oncididium, 2.- Catasetinae (I would also say Catasetum, check f it has old spikes growing from the base of the PB!) 3.- no idea, 4.- Vanda, 5.- could be Encyclia.

The problem you have identifying plants without flowers is that many species have a similar habit, and therefore it is almost impossible to be sure what they are based only on vegetative parts. Even botanists need a flower to identify most of the plants, as the identification of plants is based on the reproductive (flowers and sexual organs) and not on the vegetative parts!

[AaronM]

I can't tell if orchid number two had flower spikes growing from the base for sure but I think it may have. There are small (1/4") spiky protrusions at the base however.
I know species ID is nearly impossible without flowers but even knowing the genus would help with orchids one, two, and three. Orchid four may not make it so I would love to be able to replace it for my brother in law if it dies since its his all time favorite.
If you know much about vandas please check out my posting in the vanda alliance entitled "Operation Vanda Rescue". I could really use some suggestions on how to save this orchid.
Thanks.

[kavanaru]

Hi Aaron, plant N° 2 is (almost 100% sure of it) a Catasetinae and most probably a Catasetum. You can follow this instructions for it CULTURE OF CATASETINAE They are actually quite easy to grow, and very nice plants too!

Vanda... not very experiende with the genus...

[AaronM]

Thanks Kavanaru,
I appreciate the info.

[bitis78]

At a glance, #5 looks for all the world like Coelogyne cristata - a plant which commonly builds up specimens like the one you have. If it is, it will be a challenge to identify by flower, because it's a challenge to flower. It's hard to tell without a closer look at the pseudobulbs and rhizome though.

Whatever it is - it's a great specimen!

[cowboy51278]

no guesses for #1 til i see a better pic. #2 im going to go with ramon. i think its a catasetum. im willing to bet the bank that #3 is max tenufolia. i would love to have a closer look at #5. it strikes me as an oncidium, as none of the coel that i have tend to mound up like that. but who knows and please someone...put that poor vanda out of his misery lol

[AaronM]

Cowboy,
That is "Grampa" Vanda your talking about and it is the most prized orchid in my brother in laws collection. Unfortunately that fact did not protect it from the tender ministrations of my sister while her husband was working out of town.
I'm trying very hard to save it per "Operation Vanda Rescue" under the vanda alliance.
Thanks for the imput.

[Stasisgate]

Originally Posted by AaronM

Cowboy,
That is "Grampa" Vanda your talking about and it is the most prized orchid in my brother in laws collection. Unfortunately that fact did not protect it from the tender ministrations of my sister while her husband was working out of town.
I'm trying very hard to save it per "Operation Vanda Rescue" under the vanda alliance.
Thanks for the imput.

I agree...that poor plant needs help. Please pot 'em over and give some water when it dries out, it may help withteh drooping leaves. I grow Vandas with much ease if you need any help there Aaron.