Orchids on show in Canberra

[Paul T]

Howdy All,

I can't find any better place to put these, so I'm starting up a miscellaneous page for orchid pics that I take here in Canberra, if that is OK?  These were taken at the Australian National Botanic Gardens here in Canberra yesterday.  They are part of a display in the main visitors centre of some of the orchids that are in the ANBG collection.  The collection contains a lot of orchids that in the past had been confiscated at quarantine, so the majority of these collections are not Australian natives.  I think that these displays will change over time, so there could be some unusual stuff appearing, plus I will try to post some pics from our local Orchid Society nights here as well, to show some of the wonderful things that are grown here.  I'll try to put up some from the December meeting, if no-one minds pics that are more than 6 weeks old?

Anyway, here are the ANBG pics....

Ceratobium stratiotes
Cymbidium madidum (an Aussie native Cymbid)
Dendrobium aff macrophyllum

[Maggi Young]

By jove, Paul, you have started off with three beauties.
The variety and "invention" of the decoration of flowers never ceases to amaze me and orchids are particularly good at such "accessories" as spikes, hairs and generally fuzzy bits! Super!

[Hoy]

Thanks Paul
I have always dreamed of growing epiphytic orchids in my garden. While waiting for the greenhouse effect to increase enough I have to look at pictures like yours. It is no option to grow'em indoors. (I have some easy ones, that's all.)

[Paul T]

I'm glad you're enjoying them. 

[Darren]

Please keep posting these Paul! The Dendrobium is a stunner.

[Maren]

Yes Paul, let's have more of this. As a confirmed orchidnut, I love looking at your pics.

[Paul T]

Howdy All,

Last night was our local Orchid Society meeting.  Here's some of the wonderful things we had on show.

Bl. 'Morning Glory' x Lc. 'Love Knat'
Blc. 'Bua Luang'
Cattleya guttata car leopoldii
Cattleya guttata car leopoldii (flowers)
Pot. 'Free Spirit'
Sc. 'Joanne'

If anyone needs clarification of the name abbreviations please let me know. The actual names were copied directly from the tags, but i know what most of them are (and it is much easier to put the abbreviations.  )

Enjoy.

[Paul T]

I realise that many of these aren't easy to tell sizes etc, and I apologise for the lack of full shots of plants.  In the display tables at the meeting it isn't exactly easy to get full shots.  All those in the previous posting are large flowers, like so many of the Cattleya alliance.

Here's a few more things we had there last night....

Cirrhopetalum sikkimense used to be a Bulbophyllum.  The flowerhead is around 3 to 4cm across and they are absolutely adorable.  Despite my lack of glasshouse I am going to attempt a small plant of this in with my orchids in the light hood in the house.  Fingers crossed everyone.    One shot of the flowers and a second to show the plant and growth habit.

Kefersteinia tolimensis was in a pot about 10cm wide, to give you an idea of the scale.  The flower was lovely, and intricately marked.

Kingidium delicosum was on a wood block about 10cm x 10cm.  It is one of the little Phalaenopsis relatives.  Cute little thing.

I have more pics if people are interested.  I don't want to overdo it without checking?

[Houseslippers]

Hi Paul

You can't have too many orchids or orchid pics, I'd say. The Kefersteinia in particular is very nice. Not one I've heard of (not saying much, that) and I wonder what pollinates it ...  orchids going to such lengths to attract their pollinators (and their human vectors as well, it seems).

[Tony Willis]

Paul wonderful pictures,no you cannot post too many!

[Paul T]

Well, in that case here's a few more....

The first 4 are Dendrobium coerulescens, which is absolutely tiny.  The flower wouldn't even have been 1cm long, and was the most amazing blue once you finally managed to focus on it.  Absolutely adorable, although very difficult to photograph.

Maxillaria triloris was a large flower, probably 7 or 8cm across.

Qmo, Cunningham Grp (that's what it had on the tag!!)

Vanda 'Mokara Sayan' x Ascda. 'Duang Porn' was such a strong colour.

[Paul T]

And finally for the Orchid Society meeting......

Paph. callosum 'Shirley' AM-AOC x Paph. callosum (Dark)

Paph. glaucophyllum x Paph. exal

and Phal. equestris var 2N Blue x Dtps 'Siam Treasure', plus a closer shot of it's flowers.  Such an odd colour combination, but it really does work beautifully.

This weekend we have the Horticultural Society autumn show, so I can post more orchid pics from there as well if people want. 

[Maren]

Love that coerulescens. But probably would need stronger glasses.

[Paul T]

Maren,

I certainly felt like I needed them.  Much more detail in the camera shots than you could see in person.