Friday, April 10, 2009

Orchid Addiction



I have recently come to the realization that I am completely addicted to orchids, much to Randy's dismay. LOL... I started off with only two orchids in February and just since then, my collection has now increased to a total of eleven 'chids! Here are some photos below and a little information behind each one. Enjoy!





This beauty above is referred to as a NOID phalaenopsis. Phalaenopsis is the species to which she belongs, but the NOID refers to "no identification". I would love to find her name, but there are so very many hybrid varieties of orchids, that it is quite impossible at times to name a NOID. Her bloom spike is an amazing three feet tall! And here is the bloom up close for you to see:





The next orchid I would like to share with you is a phaius tankervilleae which is known as a terrestrial orchid. Most orchids are epiphytic meaning that they use other plants, commonly trees in their natural habitats, to grow on while gathering their sources of water and nutrients on their own. This beauty, as I said, is terrestrial which basically means "of the earth". She can be planted outside in your garden in the right temperate zones or grown indoors in a container in your generalized, garden variety potting mix.





I have not repotted this little lady just yet, so she is still in the container from the garden center. I measured her off with a yard stick the other night and from rootball to top bloom spike, she stands at three and a half feet tall. She is also commonly referred to as the Nun's Orchid. Here is a close up photo of her blooms.





What I find most interesting about the phaius, is that the front of the petals on the blooms are brown and the backside of the petals are white. Check it out! Pretty cool, huh?





The next beauty in my collection that I'd like to share with you is called a reed-stemmed epidendrum. These particular orchids are quite hardy and very tolerant plants and can even be seen growing outdoors in climate zones in and around California and the southern parts of Florida.





Here we have a close up view of one of her bloom spikes. This particular variety that I have is called the epidendrum ibaguense "pink variant" and she can produce up to forty blooms on one spike! She is also an ever-bloomer, which means she really doesn't stop blooming if kept in the right conditions. How exciting!





The next little jewel I'd like to share with you is actually a rescue mission. LOL... Randy told me that this is HIS orchid, but I am to provide care for it. How about that, huh? LOL... We bought it at Lowe's in one of those netted bags and it was severely dehydrated. I have been nursing it back to health for quite a while now. She doesn't look like much now, but I can't wait for her to grow up! She is doing very well, despite her neglect and when she blooms, it will be something spectacular, because she is a tri-hybrid cattleya orchid.





Next on the agenda is a species of orchid called a dendrobium and unfortunately, she is a NOID as well. I have no clue who she is or what her blooms will look like, because when I bought her, she had finished blooming and was marked down at Home Depot. I thought, why not? She is doing rather well in her new home here and I can see new roots growing inside the pot, so we'll see how she does!





I have two other dendrobiums and this little lady here is called Pegasus Pink. She is in full bloom right now and is even putting out new growth!








I have one other dendrobium to share with you and it makes the third dendrobium species in my collection! It is a hybrid variety which was produced from the two dendrobiums Burana 'Green Star' and 'Pramot'.





She has finished her blooming cycle within the last week, but I am considering putting her on a mount, which would simply be a piece of wood to which she will be harnessed, letting her roots grow aerial. We'll see how adventurous I get and whether or not she'll like her new placement!





Here we have three more NOID phalaenopsis beauties for your enjoyment. Again, I say it's a shame to have them nameless, but I am glad to enjoy their blooms nonetheless!





Her bloom up close:





I had this NOID phalaenopsis sitting on the piano for a while:





And again, here is a close up shot of this one in bloom:





And finally, my last NOID phalaenopsis for you:





This one just finished its first blooming cycle and I trimmed away the old spike. However, she is putting out a second spike, so who knows what may happen? More blooms? She's still kind of young, but she could rebloom!





Now, here we have Miss Nettie Valentine. She is a hybrid variety of the oncidiinae and odontoglossum species of orchids and she is a beauty to behold when in bloom!





She's spent for now, but I am very, very excited! Look at the following pictures and see if you can tell why I'm so excited? Notice anything in particular?





Okay, okay... Here's why I'm excited. She is producing a new pseudobulb which means she's growing! AND she is enjoying her home...





Perhaps, if I am really, really good, the orchid fairy will visit me again. LOL... I came home one evening and found five of these in my collectin in the kitchen windowsill. Randy told me that the orchid fairy must have visited. He said our economy was in such a slump that the toothy fairy had taken a second job as the orchid fairy! He had me cracking up!


I hope you've enjoyed the photos of my growing collection of orchids. I have many now, but I would love to continue learning more about orchids, their habits, habitats and eventually have a small greenhouse or sunroom filled with these beauties!

19 comments:

Jan said...

Oh my gosh, Randy! I can't believe how many orchids you've collected since Feb. You DO have an addiction (!!). ha ha. Not really...you just found another plant that you love. They are all so pretty. And it sounds like they are responding to your nurturing...Don't you just get so darn Frustrated when there is NO ID??? Me too!! Also, I hate it when the info for the plant (outdoor ones that I put into the ground) is just a 'sticker' on the side of the pot!! I like the type I can pull out, read, and put into the ground;-) Well, it looks like your life is one big Indoor and Outdoor Garden;-) I hope you both have a Happy Easter, and a Wonderful Spring!!

Randy said...

WEll, this is a pleasant surprise! Jamie has decided to do a blog post! You did very good!

compost in my shoe said...

Nothing like having the orchid fairy come for a visit!

Roses and Lilacs said...

They are so beautiful. I can see why you're smitten. My best friend's father was an orchid grower and a daylily hybridizer. I used to love getting the tour of whatever was blooming at any given time.

More maintenance than I like. And too, the life expectancy of a house plant is very short in my house;)
Marnie

Gail said...

Beautiful orchids Jamie! ...Here at my house they would be cat playthings!

gail

Dirt Princess said...

I too have just recently gotten into orchids...but I only have 3. They were given to me by a fellow gardener...I just hope I can keep them alive! They are delicate, enchanting flowers

Victoria Williams said...

Very cool. Gorgeous orchids. I just bought my first one yesterday.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

All I can say is, I hope that Randy becomes infected with another plant to collect or your house will be overran with orchids. I can see why you love them so. They are gorgeous. Do you put them out for the summer?

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Jamie & Randy
I can't pass an orchid without feeling tremendous guilt over killing two of them last year. I so love the exotic look and the amazing grace these plants have.
I don't mind your addiction at all .. it gives me a chance to admire them, so thank you !
Joy

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

I guess orchids are like potato chips--you can't have just one (or two)! I love the name Noid!!

Wayne said...

I love Orchids, but do not have any luck with them. You are truely a great gardener!

sweetbay said...

The orchids are gorgeous... my favorite is the hybrid betwee Burana 'Green Star' and 'Pramot'. Such beautiful color.

Phillip Oliver said...

What - Jamie has taken over the blog? LOL

Jamie, my latest orchid has bit the dust and I'm totally over them! They are beautiful but I just don't have the patience for them. My favorite is the white one with the purple shadings on the edges. Great post!

Chandramouli S said...

What a riot, Jamie! I wish I could grow orchids too but I hear they need a cold climate, right? Hats off to your passion, Jamie! You take good care of your orchids and your blooms prove it. Especially I'm touch by your rescuing the sick or not-so-well-nourished orchids! The pink orchid below the Green star, I think is, Moth Orchid.

F Cameron said...

Jamie,

Glad Randy let you blog! LOL

What a fabulous collection!

I must confess that I have a fear of orchids. I'm not worried that they'll harm ME -- no, I'm afraid that I'll harm the beauties! :-)

Have a great Easter!

Cameron

Randy said...

For everyone who has commented, thanks much to you all for your kind words and encouragement! I believe Randy was as surprised as anyone else to see that I had posted a blog.

The majority of the time, I am consumed with schoolwork and work-related activities, but I was inspired my bevy of orchid beauties to do a post! SO, I did! I have fallen in utter lust (not love) with the world of orchids and I dearly hope that I can convince Randy to let me continue in my venture of collecting them ;0)

--Jamie

P.S. Phillip, I could spank your behind for neglecting your orchid! The last time we were there, it was getting ready to bloom again! You could have given it to me!! ROTFL... Oh well, you can't do it all... Your garden is huge and you have much to do outside now! ;0)

Glennis said...

You grow the most amazing orchids, so very pretty, I really like the Moth Orchids, but I can't grow them.

Jyoti Patel said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jyoti Patel said...

That's a great collection and good achievement. I read the story and like much. In this regards, I suggest you to bring one Rhynchostylis Retusa (vanda alliance) and Aerides Odorata. Sure you will love its bloom and fragrance which fill your Home with sweet......:)
With Love from INDIA.
GOOD Luck.