Bifrenaria harrisoniae in bloom - Orchid Board

smweaver · #1 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 09:58 AM

I think that I've finally learned--after much trial and even more error--how to get this species to bloom. In contrast to the one spike and one flower it produced last winter, this year it's produced five spikes and seven flowers. Please pardon my amateur photography skills. These pictures don't do a great deal of justice to the flowers--and they do absolutely nothing to convey the beautiful strong scent they produce either. The lip, for me, is the most intriguing part of the flower.

Steve

philoserenus · #2 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 10:12 AM

look at the fuzziness of the lips ^^ hehe, it looks great. how does it smell like--pleasent?

cb977 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 10:14 AM

Well Steve, I'd say you've definitely learned how to grow this plant!

It's gorgeous...love that lip!

smweaver · #4 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 10:15 AM

Thanks, Susanne!

Nick, yes, it's a pleasant scent: very strong and kind of spicy in the morning, especially when it's sunny outside.

khill · #5 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 12:16 PM

Great growing--it is beautiful. The fuzzy lip is no neat!

Frdemetr · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 10:14 AM

Congrats Steve!

A beautiful harrisoniae semi-alba! Here in its homeland Bifr harrisoniae s/a is usually the first harrisoniae to bloom in the spring (october), followed by alba and finally by the "type", in the end of spring/beggining of summer. Now you try the other varieties too!

smweaver · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 11:35 AM

Thanks, Frederico! My Bifrenaria tyrianthina is starting to push up three flower spikes. It's also the first time that I've been successful with getting it to flower. Hopefully the flowers will just as pretty--and fragrant--as harrisoniae's.

Steve

Angurek · #8 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 02:58 PM

It's a neat plant, and certainly a genus I'd like to try someday.

Greenorchid · #9 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frdemetr

Congrats Steve!

A beautiful harrisoniae semi-alba! Here in its homeland Bifr harrisoniae s/a is usually the first harrisoniae to bloom in the spring (october), followed by alba and finally by the "type", in the end of spring/beggining of summer. Now you try the other varieties too!

Also I have a B. harrisoniae like this, but i tought it's was the 'type'... instead,now i read that it's a semi-alba..
So, have you some pics of a typical harrisoniae, please?

On my plants, there are 7 flowers, but 2 of them have a lip completely different, not so fuzzy...

kiki-do · #10 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 05:33 AM

Hi Steve, When you said you finally have the growing technique figured out, would you mind sharing? I just got one that had one spike in bloom and another spike to open. It was in spag moss as the owner had just split his plant up and wanted to help promote new growth. I'm told they don't like to be repotted, yet moss isn't ideal for the medium. What is yours in, how do you care for it, watering, etc.
Mine has a citrusy fragrance to it. It is more yellow/creamy than the pictures show, but here is mine. Any light you could shed for this type orchid would be much appreciated.