Over two dozen new species of orchids discovered!

A recent article in the Times Online states that "Thirty new species of orchid have been discovered by conservationists in previously unexplored tropical rainforests in the Papua New Guinea."

Hmmm, anyone up for a trip to New Guinea!?

Fall Cattleyas....

With leaves turning yellow outside and all outdoor plants getting ready for the long winter sleep, it's a real treat to have some blooming plants in my greenhouse. The first is Cattleya maxima and I am lucky to have a high altitude form which has a much smaller plant then the regular low land type. Along with the small plant size, this form has much darker colored flowers then the regular type. Not a bad combo : )
The other is Cattleya violacea which is a native of Brazil and it's warm tropical areas. Living on the west coast of Canada we always have cooler nights and warmer days, but I have managed to find a microclimate in my greenhouse that keeps things warm enough for this lovely Cattleya to bloom.

All Hallowed Orchids - show and sale

The Southland Orchid Show Committee is presenting its annual orchid show and sale, All Hallowed Orchids, this weekend at The Huntington in San Marino, California.

"Draculas will bare their “fangs.” Spiders will dangle from the trees. And bewitching Dancing Ladies will cast their magic spell."

Topics and speakers include "Orchid Glow: Carving Orchid Designs on Pumpkins", and "How To Smell An Orchid: Fresh Peaches to New Car Interior".

Fall orchid update

There is not too much to report on... two plants are in bloom right now, both are Jenn's: the Phrag "longifolium" X has a new flower that has opened and another bud developing, and of course old faithful Psycopsis is in bloom. There are two new pseudobulbs on Jenn's Bulb. lasiochilum. I had two new ones as well, but they don't look like they are going to make it.

I have a number of buds on the Dendrobium monoliforme, and a couple of the bottom leaves have turned yellow. I think I might have to wait for all of the leaves on this deciduous plant to drop before the flowers open? Not sure.

The most exciting news is that my rescue cymbidium, the one that I left out in our porch / entrance way all last winter, has 5 flower spikes on it!! One is fairly well advanced (enough to tell it is definitely a spike). I paid $5 for this plant after Mother's Day in May 2005, and have no idea what the flowers look like. I thought I had abused the plant too much even though from what I had read it was recommended that it be left in a cool but sheltered porch area over winter, but I guess it paid off! Can't wait to see what the flowers look like.

"The lazy orchid lover's bible" and a big UK orchid event

A synthesis of growing tips from Christine Winter Juneau published recently in the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

And in orchid news overseas, "The British Orchid Council (BOC) is holding the Orchid Congress 2006 at the Winter Gardens on September 30 and October 1" in Weston. "The congress is a two-day orchid show and lecture programme and has attracted exhibitors, speakers and visitors from around the world."

With time difference, looks like this weekend event is over ... Is it anywhere near where you are, Jenn?