Bifrenaria inodora

[Frdemetr]

This clone of inodora has larger flowers than average for the species, but the color and fragrance (yes, despite the name it has a scent!) are the usual. 21-oct-07, buds; 23-oct-07, imature flowers. Today the fully open flowers.

[Toddybear]

Don't see this one very often..thanks for sharing!

[cb977]

Frederico, thanks for sharing these! It's not something that we see very much of...and they're wonderful!

[Frdemetr]

Thanks, Sue! I have some clones of Bifr inodora, I hope all they will bloom this year to see (and show!) the differences! Unfortunatelly the winter was amazingly dry this year (now is raining regulary) and I guess some 'chids suffered a lot!

[pheli]

Great colors!
I don't have this one, but i own Bifrenaria harrisoniae.
It seems not easy to bloom Bifrenaria.

[Frdemetr]

Pheli,
As a group the Bifrenarias are not specially difficult to bloom; the group with larger flowers (to which inodora belongs) are easier than the small-flowered group (former called Stenocoryne or Adipe). But some varieties are more demanding in terms of temperature and humidity than the 'type' species. Bifrenaria harrisoniae ('type'), for exemple, is a good choice to begin with these beauties; harrisoniae alba is a little bit more difficult to bloom(in 2006 mine didn't bloomed; I hope this year I see the flowers, but no signs yet!) and harrisoniae semi-alba is more demanding.

[pheli]

Frederico, thanks for your information.
I have grown my Bifrenaria harrisoniae with my cattleyas for several years. Some books say that this species grow naturally on the cliffs where they receive strong sunlight and the rocks they grow are usually dry. I wonder if I should increase the sunlight level and keep them drier to facilitate flowering.

[Frdemetr]

Hi Pheli,
In fact Bifr harrisoniae is epiphytic, but facultatively litophytic (rupiculous) in some conditions. Its 'cousin' Bifr thyrianthina is strictly litophytic. Both need more light than Cattleyas, you are right; but even in the cliffs where the litophytic Bifrenarias live is very humid at night, when the temp drops a lot (due fog formation). In the nature, the litophytic Bifrenarias are completely wet in the morning, mainly in the winter (the dry season, not much cold in Southeaster Brazil). If you want to copy their enviroment, try strong light (direct sun in the morning is wellcome) but take care with humidity in the dry season!(use at least sprays at night). In spring/summer rains a lot, and you could water their without problems.

[pheli]

Thanks a lot, Frederico.
I would change the way i grow them.
Hope they flower next year.