20th WOC Singapore 2011 (Part 5- Native Orchids of Singapore)

.................continued from my previous blog post '20th WOC Singapore 2011 (Part 4- Exotic Orchids)'. 

This is the last part of my photo blog on 20th WOC Singapore 2011. The WOC organizer have put up a well presented wall panel with detailed write-up and photographs that describe the various native orchids of Singapore.  

The featured orchids are: Arachnis hookeriana, Bulbophyllum blumei, Bulbophyllum medusae, Coelogyne mayeriana, Dendrobium leonis, Grammatophyllum speciosum, Bromheadia alticola, Bulbophyllum clandestinum, Bulbophyllum membranaceum, Bulbophyllum pulchellum, Bulbophyllum singaporeanum, Cymbidium bicolor subsp. pubescens, Cymbidium finlaysonianum, Eulophia spectablis, Liparis ferruginea, Neuwiedia veratrifolia, Plocoglottis javanica, Robiquetia spathulata, Thrixsperum amplexicaule, Bulbophyllum vaginatum, Vanilla griffithii, Arundina graminifolia, Dendrobium crumenatum and Spathoglottis plicata.

Some of these beautiful orchids may either have extincted due to urbanization, or may have been re-discovered and/ or re-introduced back to our trees in the recent years.

20th WOC Singapore 2011 (Part 4- Exotic Orchids)

..................continued from previous my blog post '20th WOC Singapore 2011 (Part 3- Orchid Parade)'.

More photos of the alluring orchid flowers exhibited during the WOC are as follow:

Bulbophyllum beccarii

Bulbophyllum cootesii (native of Philippines)

20th WOC Singapore 2011 (Part 3- Orchid Parade)

 ..................continued from my previous blog post '20th WOC Singapore 2011 (Part 2- V.I.P Orchids)'.

During the show, I have taken photographs of many interesting orchid display by various organization. Following is the selected photos that I'll like to share with you:

Plot display by 21st World Orchid Conference Bidding Committee, South Africa

Plot display by Taiwan Orchid Growers Association, Taiwan

20th WOC Singapore 2011 (Part 2- V.I.P Orchids)

..........continued from my previous blog post '20th WOC Singapore 2011 (Part 1- Winners & Show Centrepiece)'.

The following display was put up by Singapore Botanic Garden (SBG) that featured local orchid hybrids named after various V.I.P.

These orchid hybrids were contained in a metallic mesh in the shape of a floral petal.

20th WOC Singapore 2011 (Part 1-Winners & Show Centrepiece)

Theme of 20th WOC 2011

I have attended the 20th World Orchid Conference (WOC) held on November 2011. This memorable orchid show is truly the event of the year, as the last WOC held in Singapore was in 1963 (48 years ago!).  

Unlike the previous Singapore Garden Festival that was held at Suntec Convention Centre, WOC was held at Sands Expo and Convention Centre.This was the first time Sands Expo held a orchid event.

Decorative wall at the entrance to event hall

Bulbophyllum purpurascens

Top view of flower

Bulbophyllum purpurascens 

Teijsm & Binn

Section: Cirrhopetalum

Geographic Distribution: Malaysia, Thailand, Java, Borneo and Sumatra.  

Elevation/ Temperature: 900-1700 m lowland forest/ warm-cool growing species.

Plant Type: epiphytic.

Growing Habit: sympodial

Cultivation Treatment: mounted on mesh covered with sphagnum moss.

Flowering Month(s) in Singapore: November.

Flowering Period: 2-3 days.

Flower Colour: pale yellow. 

Flower Scent: not scented.

Flower Count: 10 flowers per inflorescence.

I have acquired this miniature bulbophyllum from a thai vendor during the 20th World Orchid Conference 2011 (WOC) held between 13th-20th November in Singapore. The orchid is also commonly known as 'The Purple Bulbophyllum' with reference to its leaf color. 

Flower budding

Bulbophyllum pileatum

Bulbophyllum pileatum

(Lindley) 

Section: Sestochilus

Geographic Distribution: Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra.  

Elevation/ Temperature: sea level- 200m lowland swamp forest/ hot- warm growing species.

Plant Type: epiphytic.

Growing Habit: sympodial

Cultivation Treatment: mounted on fern slab.

Flowering Month(s) in Singapore: October- November.

Flowering Period: 7 days.

Flower Colour: orangey petal with brown marking on long slender lip. 

Flower Scent: odor scented.

Flower Count: single flower per inflorescence.

This bulbophyllum has bloomed in mid October and early November 2011. Although the first bloom lasted only 1 day, the orchid produced another flower after a few weeks.

First bloom only lasted 1 day, as the pollen was 'harvested' by insect.

Bulbophyllum maxillare (syn. blumei)

Bulbophyllum maxillare (syn. blumei)

(Lindley) J.J. Sm. 

Section: Ephippium

Geographic Distribution: Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo to Philippines, PNG and Australia.  

Elevation/ Temperature: sea level - 800m lowland forest/ hot- cool growing species.

Plant Type: epiphytic.

Growing Habit: sympodial

Cultivation Treatment: plastic pot with sphagnum moss as main medium. Small-medium sized rocks at pot bottom.

Flowering Month(s) in Singapore: February, May-June, August-October, November.

Flowering Period: 2- 3 days.

Flower Colour: red petal with yellow margin. 

Flower Scent: not scented.

Flower Count: single flower per inflorescence at leaf length.

I have been growing this beautiful orchid since April 2011. After a 2-3 months of adjustment to the new environment, the plant started to grow new leads. I have observed that the plant continue to throw out a few slender inflorescences that hold a single reddish flower since May to October. The flower form is in a bow-legged fashion.

Pleurothallis quadrifida

Pleurothallis quadrifida

(La Llave & Lex) Lindley 1842

Subgenus: Specklinia 

Section: Acuminatae Lindley 1859

Geographic Distribution: Caribbean, Mexico to Venezuela.

Elevation/ Temperature: up to 1800m/ hot- cool growing species.

Plant Type: epiphytic and lithophytic.

Growing Habit: sympodial
Cultivation Treatment: plastic pot with small-medium sized rock pieces and top-dressed with sphagnum moss.
Flowering Month(s) in Singapore: October.

Flowering Period: 10 days.

Flower Colour: yellow.

Flower Scent: slight sweet fragrance. 

Flower Count: 18-20.

This small sized orchid have been growing at the bright spot of my balcony since July 2010. This is the plant first flowering in the month of October 2011. The flowering may have been triggered by temperature drop for the past days in Singapore, due to the sudden heavy rain coupled with strong Northeastern wind.

External Courtyard at Odeon Towers (Singapore)

Odeon Towers (Singapore)
This is my second post on landscape design. My first post on the landscape topic was posted earlier on February 2011. In this post, I wish to feature an external courtyard at Odeon Towers, located in the city hub of Singapore. 

Odeon Towers is a 23 floors mid-rise office tower along the bustling North Bridge Road. The tower is located within walking distance from the National Library, Bras Basah Complex, Chijmes and City Hall MRT Station. The tower has been around for the past 15-20 years and was last renovated in Year 2007. 

The renovation includes new landscape design for the external spaces around the office podium (refer to my sketch plans below). 

Bulbophyllum plumatum

Bulbophyllum plumatum [1]

Ames 1915

Section: Cirrhopetalum

This strange looking orchid also known as 'The Feathery Bulbophyllum or '紅絲帶' (which means red ribbon in chinese). However, I would prefer to call it 'The Red Lantern' or 'The Red Chilli' in my own term. This warm orchid is native to Malaysia, Indonesia as well as in Philippines. 

I have been growing this bulbophyllum since January 2011 along window area at my kitchen yard. The yard receives less indirect sunlight but strong prevailing south-western wind during June-July. Due to the windy condition and as the plant is mounted on a fern bark, I watered it in the morning and evening to increase humidity.

This bulbophyllum has flowered for the first time in mid July 2011. The plant's  budding/ spiking stages are as follows:

Brassocattleya Wonder Star (B. nodosa x Bc. Morning Glory)

Brassocattleya Wonder Star

First registered: 6/6/2001

Parentage: Brassavola nodosa x Brassocattleya Morning Glory

Section: Cattleys Alliances Hybrids

This attractive orchid hybrid, Bc. Wonder Star has been made by backcrossing Brassavola nodosa into Brassocattleya Morning Glory. See below:

Brassocattleya Wonder Star = Brassavola nodosa x Brassocattleya Morning Glory

Brassocattleya Morning Glory = Brassavola nodosa x Cattleya purpurata

A tiny ant poising with the flower.

Stichorkis (syn. Liparis) lacerata

Overall plant with unopened bud.

Stichorkis (syn. Liparis) lacerata

Ridl. 1886 

Section: Cestichis

This young orchid have been savaged previously from the mother plant that has suffered from basal rot around 2-3 years ago. The mother plant eventually died off, but fortunately this young offspring with 1-2 back bulbs have manage to re-establish itself on a small piece of wood mount. Although the plant have survived, its growth have been stunned and only managed to produce 1-2 new bulbs recently. 

I have added a small amount of moss around the root area and placed the wood horizontally to retain some moisture. The plant was watered sparingly in the morning and evening to prevent the re-occurrence of basal rot. 

Close-up of flower bud unfolding its petal.

Bulbophyllum putidum (syn. fascinator) [2]

The overall plant & close-up of flower with dimension overmarked. (Top & bottom photo)

Bulbophyllum putidum (syn. fascinator) [2]

(Teijsm. & Binn.) J.J.Sm. 1912 

Section: Cirrhopetalum

This is my second bulbophyllum putidum that I have taken care since Jan 2010. My first bulb. putidum was featured in my earlier blog post in April 2011. 

This orchid was originally planted in a plastic pot filled with perlite and top dressed with a layer of sphagnum moss to retain moisture. The plant has produced 2-3 new pseudo-bulbs over the year (total: 7-8 bulbs). It finally flowered from one of the latest bulb in June 2011.

In term of cultivation, I provided this plant with the same care as per my first bulb. putidum:

1) Sunlight: Bright indirect light.

2) Water: Once daily in the morning and second watering if I am available in the evening.

Perhaps the other bulbophyllum has been kept more on the drier side compared to this plant, as the former orchid is mounted on a small wooden twig.

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 

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)