Plant like Howeara Lava Burst - Orchid Board

dbarron · #1 03-01-2022, 04:58 AM

I recently reacquired (or thought I did) Howeara Lava Burst 'Puanami' and have rather promptly almost killed it.
Years ago, I had a much more miniature and succulent relative. It took everything and did not experience the terrible creased and faded leaves that seem to be the fate of these plants in my care. I do well with more pseudobulby (if that's a word) oncidiums and dendrobiums (latoura and biggibum types mostly). These I'm killing...not all that slowly. House humidity is about 40% in winter (low I know), but I've also tried to group them in the shower with an entire windowsill of plants behind a plastic curtain...and they no likely that either.
I now realize I didn't have this cross, it's just very similar (though larger and thinner leaved) to the plant I had.

The original plant (lost with several interstate moves) was so forgiving and yet produced the myriads of tiny flowers that Howeara does have. I originally acquired it probably 20 years ago from EOM. Does anyone have a suggestion for what I had? I'd love to reacquire it if I knew what it was. Perhaps it was one of the parents of Lava Burst?

estación seca · #2 03-01-2022, 09:30 AM

Sounds like Oncidium Twinkle. There are several color forms available.

With lower humidity small Oncidiums like this should never dry completely. Perhaps try sphagnum moss for the medium. Let it get somewhat dry between waterings, but not crisp. If you use bark consider standing the small pot in a jar lid in shallow water.

dbarron · #3 03-02-2022, 07:17 AM

No, it wasn't a Twinkle, I've had them before too. One thing that set this off from Twinkle was more succulent growth and fleshier flowers as well. Twinkle had less substance and thus faded quite a bit faster. Good suggestion though. Hmm, maybe i need to try another Twinkle (been many years and I can't even remember if I had luck with the one I had or not).
There's an orchid show and sale at our botanical garden Friday, I'm looking fwd to being one of the first ones in the door.

Jeff214 · #4 03-03-2022, 12:53 AM

Maybe a Bapticidium, Onc. popcorn or an Ionopsis?

dbarron · #5 03-03-2022, 09:48 AM

Nope...colors and form close to (or identical) to Howeara....but thank you for introducing me to grexes I didn't know existed.

camille1585 · #6 03-03-2022, 12:39 PM

I know it was a long time ago, but would you happen to have photo of it, even not in bloom?

dbarron · #7 03-03-2022, 02:18 PM

I don't know Camille, it was before the days of online photo repositories. I'll see if I can wade through my digital photos and find something. I might not have even had a digital camera then. Will try in next day or so.
OMG, I believe this is it...found it on my Flickr account. And now (seeing it again, it doesn't look like Lava Burst (bad memory I guess))?
What do you all think ?

Jeff214 · #8 03-03-2022, 06:58 PM

It looks to me like Howeara lava burst...? Or something very similar.

Diane56Victor · #9 03-03-2022, 08:16 PM

Dont think its Twinkle, the Twinkle 'Cinnamon' has similar colouring but the bloom don't have the lip your blooms have.

Roberta · #10 03-03-2022, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarron

I don't know Camille, it was before the days of online photo repositories. I'll see if I can wade through my digital photos and find something. I might not have even had a digital camera then. Will try in next day or so.
OMG, I believe this is it...found it on my Flickr account. And now (seeing it again, it doesn't look like Lava Burst (bad memory I guess))?
What do you all think ?

Looks like Hwra. Lava Burst to me.