Brassocattleya Morning Glory (B. nodosa x C. purpurata)

Bc. Morning Glory is an attractive intergeneric orchid primary hybrid including the genera Brassavola and Cattleya.

Brassocattleya Morning Glory 

First registered: 1958

Parentage: Brassavola nodosa x Cattleya purpurata
Section: Cattleys Alliances Hybrids

This beautiful orchid hybrid has inherited its large starry-shaped flower form and delicate margenta-veined lip from Catteya purpurata; the improved rounded heart-shaped lip from one of its parent, Brassavola nodosa.

Papa
Brassavola nodosa is a warm-hot lowland growing species, native to Mexico and Central America. Each medium sized psuedobulb with 15-20 cm long sub-terete leaf is capable of producing between 1- 6 whitish flowers with a spread between around 7.5 -10 cm. The flowers only emit its citrus fragrance after the nightfall, hence give rise the common name, 'Lady of the Night'.

Dendrobium discolor 'Rigo Twist'

Dendrobium discolor 

Lindley 1841 

SECTION Spatulata

I have been growing this beautiful Dendrobium discolor along my balcony since April 2010. This hot growing lowland orchid species can be found from Australia to Papua New Guinea. The plant can grow at least 2.0 m high in its natural habitat. This all year round bloomer can produces an average of 40 brownish yellow flowers on a 50-60 cm long spike. The flower measures 4 cm wide.


The featured plant, Dendrobium discolor 'Rigo Twist' is considered a dwarf form of the species:
i)   As its height is only 15-16 cm tall;
ii)  Each flower measures 3 cm wide x 2.5 cm high. The flower spike is about 15-16cm long.

I am quite surprised that the orchid managed to bloom at my balcony which is partially lit up for 2-3 hrs during the day. 

Bulbophyllum sp (Unknown I.D)

Bulbophyllum sp

I'll like to share photo of this beautiful unknown bulbophyllum from a local nursery recently. According to the owner, the orchid is from some place near PNG.

It appears similarly to Bulbophyllum lepidum, but I am not entirely sure about the I.D. Perhaps someone can help to identify it please? Thanks in advanced.

Pelatantheria rivesii

Pelatantheria rivesii

(Guillaumin) Tang & F.T.Wang 1951

1st flower with light pink lip. 

A warm growing monopodial orchid, which its natural habitat spread across China, Laos and Vietnam. It can be found growing as an epiphytes on evergreen forests.


This genus consists of 5 species and is closely related Cleisostoma.

Aerial roots extend all over from the orchid's stem. 
Poor orchid previously was attacked by spider mites along the stem. 

Bulbophyllum putidum (syn. fascinator) [1]

Bulbophyllum putidum (syn. fascinator) [1]

(Teijsm. & Binn.) J.J.Sm. 1912 

Section: Cirrhopetalum

This commonly grown orchid, Bulbophyllum putidum or common known as 'The Putrid Mastigon' emits a foul smell of rotting matter to attract its pollinator, usually flies. Although, the smell may not be pleasant, its unique lip that moves with the slightest air movement and as well as its crimson red lip color, never fails to 'fascinate' many growers from all over the world.

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