My new 'chids

[arleneg]

This past week, I splurged a bit on orchids because I was feeling a bit down about losing my favorite aunt. I'm feeling better now.

Here they are...

Exotic Orchid "White Knight" (this was a Home Depot purchase...due to curiousity ; it's an Oncidium type...basically, a NOID; I can hardly wait when it blooms)
Den. Princess x Den. unicum
Agsm. Blue Butterfly (Aganesia cyanea x Menadenium labiosum)
Galeandra batemanniana x Galeandra greenwoodiana
Spa. Albatyrius x Spa. kimballiana
Milt. kayasimae
Phrag. Suzanne Decker (kovachii x Cape Sunset)
Phrag. Longueville
Phrag. Carol Kanzer
Encyclia faresiana
Laelia reginae
Encyclia pyriformis
a flask of Phrag. caricinum 'Aileen' AM/AOS x Petit Port 'Pink Ice'
Phrag. Cape Sunset 3N
Den. aberrans (bought earlier today from an orchid show)

None are in bloom. But Enc. faresiana and Laelia reginae have flower spikes.

Now I'm broke and won't have much for upcoming orchid shows. Plus, I'll need to find space for them in the orchid room, which is getting smaller. LOL

At any rate, I bought my first Spathoglottis, Galeandra and Agsm (anyone know the whole word?). If anyone can share culture tips for these, that would be great.

[Tobi]

Nice pickups Arlene. Can't wait to see a pic of the Laelia when in bloom. I not sure
about this as far as your Agsm. Blue Butterfly is concerned but I believe the nomenclature
on both the parents have been changed. Aganesia cyanea is now Acacallis cyanea and
Menadenium labiosum is now Zygosepalum labiosum. I think the genus name is now
Agasepalum (Agsp.) and no longer Agsm. Hopefully Kevin or one of the other members
more into the taxonomy can help. It's culture should be close to that of Zygopetalum.

[patticake]

I'm so sorry about your Aunt... I know how hard loss is...
Congratulations on the new chids! They sure do help, don't they? I'm afraid that I'm not much help in the technical department, but I can sure wish you well with them!

[arleneg]

Tobi -- I got around in doing some searching about Agsm. and came up with the same thing you did. With that info, I'll give it the same culture as Zygosepalum.

patticake -- Yes, it was hard, especially when I couldn't attend the funeral which was held in another country. I have a cousin in Australia. She took it hard, too, because she couldn't go either.

Orchids did help...but not my wallet! LOL I'm glad to have an understanding husband.

Is there anyone who can share some culture tips for the Spathoglottis and Galeandra? I did find some info, but would appreciate hearing from someone who grows them in a low humidity environment with hot summers and cold winters.

[rmt135]

Arleneg sorry to hear about your aunt.

But it seems you have bounce back & it is good to have an understanding husband who is willing to share your days of needs & wallet.

If you do not have the space, you can always use Digitalgate Yoda mind control to send the orchids to me. I will receive it with open arms.

I do have Spathoglottis. These are hybrids with their parents being a plicata, vanoverberghii & kimballiana. Mostly these terrestrial orchids love the sun. I am not sure if you can find out the species without the flower. You can go this website for better information.

Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia

[evagentry]

Arleneg, sorry to hear about your aunt , I know how hard it is not to be able to attend a loved ones funeral, but you can think of her when you care for you new plants.

[arleneg]

rmt135 -- LOL digitalgate mind control. Does that mean I can pot my Spa. in regular potting soil?

evagentry -- I do. It makes my day.

Tobi -- Here's a pic of Laelia reginae... Laelia reginae I can hardly wait for the spike to bud, then bloom on mine. (fingers crossed)

[Anton]

Gee Arlene, if this is what you bought when you were "feeling a bit down", I hazard to guess what the wallet would be like if you were really upset.

Nice selection, can't wait for the pikkies.

My thoughts are with you, due to the nature of my work I have missed a few relatives funerals, so I sympathise.

[fred]

a nice collection of orchids good thing you were feeling down I can not think of a better way for a pick me up. hehehe

[palito]

I have that same Galeandra hybrid. Culture is the same as most Catasetum.

- Lots of water and fertilizer when actively growing
- it will bloom several times from the same spike, even if it looks dry so don't cut it.
- very little to no water when it starts to go yellow and lose leaves. it'll go dormant. ( mine is just starting to shed leaves )

[Tobi]

Originally Posted by arleneg

Tobi -- Here's a pic of Laelia reginae... Laelia reginae I can hardly wait for the spike to bud, then bloom on mine. (fingers crossed)

Nice blooms Arlene!! I believe it is one of the rupiculous Laelias from the
Serra da Moeda in Brazil. I have been very interested in picking up some
rupiculous Laelias. Found a fascination with them and their growing conditions.
I found this link which I thought was helpful on their culture.

How to Grow Rupicolous Laelias

[articuno75]

Sorry for your loss Arlene, but the pick ups....wow. Gotta agree with Anton there. Hate to see a total meltdown.

[arleneg]

Anton -- When I'm upset, I throw things across the room or punch the wall. LOL

fred -- Some people eat. I shop when I'm feeling down. Fortunately, that doesn't happen very often! Or else, I'd be living out on the streets.

palito -- There was a dried up flower spike. I cut it off yesterday. Now I know, it won't happen again. No wonder why the grower left it there. Thanks for the culture tips. I have a few Catasetum type orchids and will put it near them. The leaves on my Galeandra started turning yellow a few days ago. I guess, mine is on schedule since yours is doing the same thing now.

Tobi -- It is. You should pick one up. I have two now (the other - Laelia liliputiana) and would like to add more. I love how small they are, perfect for my empty windowsills. Thanks for the link to rupiculous Laelia culture. That web page gives good culture info.

[rmt135]

Arleneg,

From literature, you can pot your Spa. in humus. For my case, I use a mixture of compost, very fine gravels & top soil. It works for me because the flowers have not stopped blooming especially the plicata, new spikes have emerged & new roots have grown.

[arleneg]

rmt135,

Thanks for the tip.

[prisana]

arleneg, nice picks! Nothing picks you up when you're down like a ( lot ) of new orchids.

Sorry to hear of your loss, my thoughts are with you.

[arleneg]

prisana,

Yes, it was a nice pick up when I was down. Now, my wallet is really down to $0. LOL

Thanks. I'm feeling better each day.