Ebony Jewelwing

These majestic insects, the Ebony Jewelwing, graced me with their playfulness on one of my observation walks. Chasing each other in playful flight. I would assume its mating season. They are such a beautiful addition to any lush green swamp.

Paphiopedilum Julius 'The Joker' (lowii x rothschildianum)

First blooms for this orchid with 4 flowers. About 7 inches wide. Its an older hybrid but still popular. It has very nice color and substance. I like how it is keeping it's green tint  The dark silvery/maroon/purple on the twisted tips can be deceiving in the wrong light. But once you find the hot spot, you'll fall in love.  I wanna name it "The Joker"

Ludisa discolor

This plant is a year old being a foot tall with a new growth. The spike is about 1.5 feet tall with 14 flowers. Its first bloom. I grow it in half soil, half bark mix. Low light, moderate water but not soggy. 65-75 F temps. 50-60 humidity. These pictures were before its prime. I got lazy and posted late but its past its prime now with only 4 flowers left. These pictures were taken on January 20th 2012. I was happy to see it last this long.

Doritaenopsis Sogo Chabstic

I got this orchids about a year ago. This is the fist bloom for me. I bought it with no name but I think I figured it out. Let me know if you think differently. Pretty dark spots with a nice creme color white/ting of green. This orchid seems to be a peloric from being slightly ruffled on the petals. Compared to others of this hybrid the ruffles have a brim of yellow. The undersides of the leaves have a tinge of red also. I gave it basic Phalaenopsis culture. Enjoy!

Doritaenopsis Sogo Chabstic (Phal. Golden Peoker  x  Dtps. Anna-Larati Soekardi)

  

Dendrobium atroviolaceum ( 'Pygmy' x 'Little Elf' )

This past year I have tried 3 species from New Guinea, Den. violaceum, Den. cuthbertsonii, and Den. atroviolaceum.  I haven't done very well seeing that I put them through some harsh conditions.  They were outside for the end of summer and into fall here in Southern New England.  The temperature wasn't the problem actually, it was the bugs that ate the new growths.  The Den. violaceum and Den. cuthbertsonii are on a fast downward spiral.  I haven't got them to bloom once.  Unfortunately my growing conditions aren't the best for these species.  But, I did get the Den. atroviolaceum to put on a pretty good show before it passed away.  I'll miss this little guy.  Some say this "Pygmy" variant should be a separate species since its a much smaller plant then other Den. atroviolaceum.  I would have to agree with them.  I can't wait to get another. This is from a couple of months ago but I figured I would honor it's existence. RIP

Dendrobium atroviolaceum ('Pygmy' x 'Little Elf')

Dendrobium Blue Twinkle

This is a clone that had a semi fast recovery compared to other Dendrobiums I have.. Its pretty dark in color but not the blue I thought it was going to be from its name. This is mounted. Or rather hanging from a hook with some sphagnum moss.  I might pot it up soon. This is its first bloom with 18 flowers. I thought it was going to have two spikes but they didn't grow. They are still just nubs on the cane. Nice white boarder around the sepals. I cant really see much Den. canalicualtum in it. Maybe the faint smell and shape/size. Very little yellow inside the lip. My camera doesn't do it any justice tho. Still a nice show. I like it!


 Dendrobium Blue Twinkle  (Dendrobium Betty Goto  x  Dendrobium canaliculatum)