Since the recent addition of new orchids to my collection, I have had my eye out for a local orchid show. Yesterday, I got along to the Aspley Orchid Society's annual summer show at Brisbane's Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.
There were hundreds of magnificent plants on display, and it seemed to me that there was a speckled theme I haven't previously seen, running through the exhibition.
I have done my best with the naming. I didn't write them all down as I probably should have. While I recognise most of the main families, I am not an orchid expert. In fact, I misnamed the potted orchid with two-toned purple flowers in the doorway in my post last week. It was a Miltonia, and the small mystery plant Tony gave me has flowered, and it is the Miltonia as we had hoped.
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| Cattleya |
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| Oncidium |
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| Cattleya |
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| An interesting dendrobium - D. bracteosum |
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| Rhynchostylis retrusa |
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| The miniature Oncidium equitant |
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| I love this spidery form - another cattleya, I think. |
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| Given its fairly flat flower and resemblance to a viola, I think this is a Miltonia, like my new two-toned purple one. |
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| Gorgeous Vanda - I have one that hasn't flowered yet. |
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| Another beautiful speckled Cattleya |
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| Cattleya |
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| Cattleya |
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| Cattleya |
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| I like how the speckles are concentrated around the border of the petals on this Cattleya. |
Back home again and, for once, I had managed to resist the temptation of the plants on sale. What I was after were some ready-made wire hoops for the orchid pots I already have. The outside entertainment area had suited the orchids, but the pots were a bit too vulnerable on the ground once Bella and Onslow joined the household.
Up here, they are safe from stampeding pups and the blooms are eye level, but I can readily move them around to suit their sun requirements or bring them inside temporarily to enjoy them. Orchid plants are a bit boring when they are not flowering, so it is great to be able to safely 'park' them. The great collection of 'resting' dendrobiums below was at the gorgeous Havelock Bungalows I stayed at in Colombo, Sri Lanka, last year.
A flowering dendrobium displayed in the lounge at Havelock Bungalows.
Wow! So beautiful. I've never grown them but I love looking at them.
ReplyDeleteYes that was truly a feast of eye candy! Fabulous Orchids! They really are such exquisite things.
ReplyDeleteMarisa, I love this post on orchids. I only have one orchid as a houseplant. It usually blooms once a year for me. Reading your article makes me want to buy a few more. I really loved the purple and white spider form of that cattleya. Just Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletegosh I cant decide which is my favourite. I like the hangy things you bought - I have mine suspended from a piece of bamboo across a corner of the garden. It was working OK until the string I had used to tie them up with started to rot. I think I will be making some of those hooks next.
ReplyDeleteOne of the wonderful things about orchids is that many are very easy care compared to their exotic appearance. If you are going to try your hand at making your own wire hangers, let me know if you want me to post or email close-up photos of the two different styles - long single hook or two short hooks.
DeleteIt's so beautiful! Never grown them before!
ReplyDeleteThey should be quite easy for you in Malaysia, Malar. I used to keep mine in the dappled shade under the edge of the mango tree in my old house.
DeleteThey're all so beautiful! Orchids only live here as houseplants, except for the native lady slipper orchids, which are rare. The only orchid I have is silk and it's always in bloom. :o) Great blog!
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