What's in bloom in the lowlands

[camille1585]

A lot of orchids have bloomed or are blooming in recent months, and while I did take photos I never got around to processing them in Lightroom. So I thought I'd make one thread here to share the photos as I go through them!

First up is Phal Manniphil, a wonderful primary hybrid of Phalaenopsis mannii × Phalaenopsis philippinensis. It produced 2 spikes this year. Phal mannii is one of my favorite species and I'm always on the lookout for primary hybrids of it.






Next is Phal Little Sister ( Phalaenopsis maculata × Phalaenopsis equestris ), which I got last year in a keiki swap with another OB member. I was rather pleased to see a small spike on it this year already!




Phal Chiada Francis "Picotee" is one of the few complex hybrids I own. I love the colors, and freshly opened flowers are a very intense shade of yellow before fading to a nice pastel color.




A Phal Noid. I'm had this one for a long time, probably around 10-12 years. I nearly lost it 2 years ago from root rot. Luckily Kelpak applications saved it and it has a beautiful root system now. This is the first blooming post recovery, and I was so happy to see it bloom! (though the leaves still show the effects of the severe dehydration)

[Bayard]

That Phal. Manniphil is stunning!

[estación seca]

Beautiful!

[tmoney]

nice!! love the manniphil!

[camille1585]

Today's addition to the thread is Vanda Cherry Blossom (Neofinetia falcata x Vanda ampullacea). And yes, I know that Neofinetia is now Vanda, but this is one name change that I have a tough time getting used to and Neos will always be Neos in my book.

I got it last spring, and had a couple blooms last summer. This year it produced 2 very full spikes. I think I like it more than pure Neos as the flowers last much longer!

I grow this one potted in a net pot with bark, and the netpot is set in a slightly larger transparent pot to maintain humidity around the roots a bit longer.

[camille1585]

This is a cute little Phal primary hybrid (Phalaenopsis maculata x honghenensis) that I bought as a large seedling from Schwerter less than 2 years ago. This is the first blooming, and I really like it! And nicely fragrant!

Several buds blasted but I've been told that these types blast easily if the conditions aren't perfect.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Today's addition to the thread is Vanda Cherry Blossom (Neofinetia falcata x Vanda ampullacea). And yes, I know that Neofinetia is now Vanda, but this is one name change that I have a tough time getting used to and Neos will always be Neos in my book.

I got it last spring, and had a couple blooms last summer. This year it produced 2 very full spikes. I think I like it more than pure Neos as the flowers last much longer!

I grow this one potted in a net pot with bark, and the netpot is set in a slightly larger transparent pot to maintain humidity around the roots a bit longer.

Question (two, really): How big is the net pot? And how and how often do you water?

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Question (two, really): How big is the net pot? And how and how often do you water?

It's in an 8cm (3inch) net pot. I used the same medium bark as for my phals and water every 2-4 days in the summer (once completely dry). At first I kept it in the basket it arrived in, but daily watering was too much to handle for me. In the winter I treated it like a Neo (kept rather dry, mostly spraying the surface) since I'm not sure if it takes after the Neo parent in the winter.

[DeaC]

Every petal, sepal, lip, is superb. Colors so vivid and grown to perfection! Always admire your growing ability.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by camille1585

It's in an 8cm (3inch) net pot. I used the same medium bark as for my phals and water every 2-4 days in the summer (once completely dry). At first I kept it in the basket it arrived in, but daily watering was too much to handle for me. In the winter I treated it like a Neo (kept rather dry, mostly spraying the surface) since I'm not sure if it takes after the Neo parent in the winter.

Thanks. It is a beautiful little thing.