Orchid blog
This blog is dormant at the moment, but it is still getting a lot of visitis so I will keep it up for you guys as a resource. My future adventures will be published on my new blog, hope to see you there!
My focus… if pressed to name favorites it would have to be orchids of the Pleurothallid Alliance. But a Paphiopedilum was the first orchid I ever fell in love with so slipper orchids will always be close to my heart, and while we are on the subject I might as well disclose a love affair with Neofinetia as well.
Neofinetia falcata ‘Shunkyuden’
Neofinetia falcata was the only species in this very small genus until 1996 when Neofinetia richardsiana was added, followed by N. xichangensis in 2004. The two new discoveries are limited to specific regions within China. Neofinetia falcata has a slightly broader distribution area, from China to Temperate East Asia, and it is also the one of the three that has found its way into cultivation. Even though we are talking about one species here dedicated growers have produced countless cultivars with a fascinating range of variations in [...]
Masdevallia (Regalia) ayabacana
Masdevallia ayabacana, or Regalia ayabacana according to Luer, is from the impressive section Durae which hold impressive Masdevallia relatives such as princeps for example. The section (or genus if you want) is characterized by large thick leaves and large, fleshy, long-lasting flowers with thick callous petals and most with extremely long sepaline tails. The sepals are also connate, meaning the two lower sepals are fused together. The flowers of Masdevallia ayabacana are customarily fleshy and large, this one measures about 3 cm wide and the [...]
Maxillaria variabilis
Maxillaria variabilis hail from Central- to South America where it grows from 500 to 2500 meters. As the name implies it comes in a numer of different variations in shape and color. It is a pretty easy going orchid, thriving in a wide variety of conditions. Since it can be found at such a wide altitude span it is fairly temperature tolerant, and it grows either terrestrial, lithophytic or epiphytic so you can grow it almost any way you like, [...]
Paphiopedilum fairrieanum
I got this orchid from German grower Asendorfer at the Gothenburg Orchid Show in September of 2010. I think this is one of the more beautiful Paphiopedilum species around. This is the first time I have flowered one myself and I have really been looking forward to this moment. The flowers measure about 9 cm tall and although I really love the color combination it is the shape that really gets me going. I don't know why, but to me it [...]
Prosthechea vitellina
It is time for some serious color therapy! Nothing cheers you up better than a Prosthechea vitellina in full bloom after a long dark winter. The photos barely do this stunning species justice, the flowers are even more intense in real life. After only a slightly drier winter rest, just as the dark has started to give way to the approaching light of spring, comes this amazing burst of energy every year. The flowers measure [...]
Stelis immersa
This is a small intermediate to cool growing epiphyte from Central to South America. It has been reported to grow as as low as 800 meters, but are probably more likely found between 1600 to 2100 meters. It produces a long inflorescence with several nodding, long lasting flowers measuring about one centimeter tall. The buds started opening right after new year and it is still going strong. I grow it in the cool vivarium under medium light [...]