Phalaenopsis violacea var. coerulea x sib [1]

Phalaenopsis violacea with blue flower form

Phalaenopsis violacea var. coerulea

Witte 1861 SUBGENUS Polychilos SECTION Amboinenses Sweet 1968

In their native habitat which ranges from the Malaysia, Borneo, Indonesia and Sumatra at 150 m low altitude, Phalaenopsis violacea can be found growing as an warm loving epiphyte in shady and high humidity condition.

Different flower color forms exist, such as variety 'Malayan', 'Blue', 'Alba' and 'Sumatra' as this orchid species have a widespread geographical distribution. 

Since July 2010, I have been growing this young orchid at my kitchen yard that faces southwest direction. It receives about 3-4 hours of filtered morning light next to my kitchen window. I have retained the orchid in their original plastic pot with loosely packed moss as medium, to minimize disruption and shock to plant. 

The orchid is drenched thoroughly only once a week, as the moss is capable to retain moisture and to minimize the chance of rot. So far the plant had produced a new leaf and put up a fresh new flower spike under this condition. The photo above shows the plant's 1st flowering under my care, since my acquisition from Ching Hua Orchids (Taiwan Nursery).

The size of the 1st flower is about 3cm (wide) x 4cm (height).

Bulbophyllum gracillimum

Bulbophyllum gracillimum 

(Rolfe)Rofle 1912 SECTION Cirrhopetaloides Garay, Hamer & Siegerist 1994

Bulbophyllum gracillimum is a small size lowland orchid species. It is widespread from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Borneo and Australia.This bulbophyllum is commonly found growing in rainforest along the lower tree trunk. 

1st flower spike with premature bud drop. Sad!

The flowering period in southern Thailand is usually between October to December. Having said that, this bulbophyllum has flowered twice for me in early March this year in Singapore (the 1st flowering is unsuccessful though). I shall monitor its subsequence flowering to determine whether the March flowering is caused by stress. 

This bulbophyllum can produced up to 10-15 purplish red flowers which are arranged in a cluster form. The bright yellow dorsal sepal, which color is contrasting with the rest of the flower. The size of each flower is about 0.3cm wide x 2.5 cm in length. 

New flower buds forming from the 2nd inflorescence 

Bulbophyllum corolliferum (syn. curtisii)

Bulbophyllum corolliferum (syn. curtisii)
J.J.Sm. 1917 Section Cirrhopetalum

Plant: Overall View

Previously in December 2010, I had a post on 'Bulbophyllum curtisii var. lutescens' that has yellow flower. Further to that, I wish to share photos of Bulbophyllum corolliferum (syn. curtisii) that has the typical color form of purplish flower as compared to that of the former. 

Bulbophyllum corolliferum is a lowland hot-warm growing orchid species that ranges from Thailand and Malaysia. The flowering period in Thailand is between November to December. It can have up to 10 flowers arranged in umbel. The size of each flower is about 0.3cm wide x 1.5 cm in length.

Dry Creek at Raffles Building (NParks HQ)

Entry to Raffles Building from Evans Road (Refer to Map @ Location 'A')



Recently, I have stumbled upon an interesting garden patches at Raffles Building along Evans Road, as I was taking a brisk walk from Bukit Timah Road to the Singapore Botanic Garden (SGB). Raffles Building which housed the headquarters of our National Parks Board (NParks), is within walking distance (about 10-15 minutes) from NUS Bukit Timah Campus, Jacob Ballas Children's Garden and Visitor Centre of Singapore Botanic Gardens. Refer to part map below:

Top: Part map showing entry to Raffles Building from Evans Road (Source: Singapore Botanic Gardens-'A Timeless Tropical Eden').
Bottom: Lush planting on both sides of entrance boulevard. (Refer to Map @ Location 'A')

Top: Footpath as defined by hedges along the boulevard.
Bottom: Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon Grass) adds an 'meadow' feel to the boulevard.

Oncidium Hybrids

Happy Lunar New Year!

In this 'Golden' festive season, I would like to share with you a few of my favorite oncidium (文心兰) hybrids or commonly known as  'dancing lady' (跳舞兰) for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Onc. Goldiana 

Onc.(sphacelatum x flexuosum) 

Onc. Gower Ramsey 'Sunkist' 

Onc.(Goldiana x Golden Guinea)

Bulbophyllum medusae

Bulbophyllum medusae

R(Lindley) Rchb.f. 1861

Section Corymbosa (Bl) Avery.1994

  

Flower buds waiting for the 'big hair' day

Cluster of flower buds




This spectacular orchid, Bulbophyllum medusae or common known as 'Medusa's Bulbophyllum' with snake or mop-like flower with reference to Gorgon Medusa's head of snakes (as featured in Greek's tale  'Clash of The Titans').

It is a warm to hot growing lowland Bulbophyllum species and its habitat range from Malaysia, Thailand to Indonesia. It is also a native orchid of Singapore, but now the orchid is quite rare due to urbanization.

Bulbophyllum abbreviatum

Bulbophyllum abbreviatum

Rchb.f 1881 Section: Cirrhopetalum

This is another delighting warm growing bulbophyllum species (石豆兰 in chinese) from the lowland forest of West Malaysia (formerly Malaya) and northeastern Madagascar. Similarly to the flower of bulbophyllum lepidum, its inflorescence is also arranged in umbel and variable in the color intensity. The color of its sepal ranges from pinkish red to brown.