Friday, June 12, 2009
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
White Cattleya
I had this plant for about 4 years or more. This is the first time it flowers again since I bought it at an orchid show. The fragrance is so beautiful, a faint smell can be traced all over the house. I didn't expect it will flower again, so when I saw the open white flowers (not knowing it was budding), the surprise was delightful. I was just asking the orchid man at the Farmers Market the other day, what to do if a plan hasn't bloomed for years. He told me increase sun exposure. Magically, a pair of flowers appeared shortly after my complain. :D I should tell him what happened next time I see him.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Cymbidium
This plant smells lovely. Not many cymbidiums have fragrance. The ones do, some smells nice, and some not so nice. I have both kinds and many that do not have a scent.
In the past few weeks, an orchid man showed up at the farmer's market right in the shopping center where my tea shop is. I tried hard to ignore the flowers for the first week or so. But I am weak when it comes to orchids, so I end up with half a dozen plants or so. This orchid man hybrids many species, including some shown here. Some hybrids have only a couple of sibling plants, which made it unique and rare. I hope I won't kill one of them. Then I'll be liable for their extinction.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Cymbidium season - currently blooming
Currently blooming cymbidiums at my mom's back yard.
This is a special breed from the Philippine. I purchased it from my sister-in-law's coworker whom paid $75 for just one Pusedobulb. She split the plant in 2 after 3 years. I acquired this one from her for $75. The most expensive I paid for one orchid out of more than 100 plants I have.
This is a special breed from the Philippine. I purchased it from my sister-in-law's coworker whom paid $75 for just one Pusedobulb. She split the plant in 2 after 3 years. I acquired this one from her for $75. The most expensive I paid for one orchid out of more than 100 plants I have.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Monday, March 05, 2007
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Vanda - pink dotted - medium
Vanda is the most difficult specie I have encountered so far. I have killed 2 out of 4. The soiless plant absorbs moisture and nutrients from air only. Although I am faithful to watering other species every 4 to 5 days, I couldn't keep up with watering only the vandas every day. That could have attributed to the 50% fatality.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
Cymbidium - hatching alligator eggs medium
One of the winning items at tonights orchid auction. Weird alien animal like flower. It looks like a kind of shell fish I once found at the beach which lives under the sand and navigates FAST beneath the sand in groups.
Anyways, this is its fully blooming stage, which is only half way compare to most cymbidiums. The contrast of the color makes it more interesting, perhaps like a little alligator hatching out of its egg shell.
Orchid auction
Tonight is the once a year orchid auction at the South Coast orchid association. This is a fund raising event for the association, members and local orchid nurseries donate plants up for auction. Money will be used for yearly expense such as weekly meeting space rental, newsletters and organization expense. Events including field trips, auctions, guest speakers and cultural classes.
There are many species/varietals, mostly uncommon kinds you won't see at a grocery store. Most of these species are collectible plants from all continents and climates. Even if you are not a collector like myself, it's an eye opening event just to observe the beauty of the forever mysterious orchids. Fabulously mesmerizing!
You can find a local orchid association near you easily online. Los Angeles alone has many regional associations which also host annual auctions, Burbank, Palos Verdes, Newport Beach, 2 in Long Beach, just to name a few. There are Cymbidium assoications or others by species in addition to Orchid associations as well. Members ranging from amerteurs to serious collectors, so don't be shy, it's a great way to learn from beginning to advance level. Myself is at the end of beginner level. :) Learning is a never ending process!
There are many species/varietals, mostly uncommon kinds you won't see at a grocery store. Most of these species are collectible plants from all continents and climates. Even if you are not a collector like myself, it's an eye opening event just to observe the beauty of the forever mysterious orchids. Fabulously mesmerizing!
You can find a local orchid association near you easily online. Los Angeles alone has many regional associations which also host annual auctions, Burbank, Palos Verdes, Newport Beach, 2 in Long Beach, just to name a few. There are Cymbidium assoications or others by species in addition to Orchid associations as well. Members ranging from amerteurs to serious collectors, so don't be shy, it's a great way to learn from beginning to advance level. Myself is at the end of beginner level. :) Learning is a never ending process!