House orchids

[Kevin]

John,

I'm in London. I grow many of my plants outside during the spring/summer/autumn... but I have to bring them all in during the winter.

Regards,
Kevin

[SJW]

I know that we're now into 2015, but these pictures were taken a week or so ago, just before Christmas.

The plant of Ludisia discolor was bought at a local garden centre - half price, as the flowers were fading  - with four fading flower spikes and one spike in bud last year. It's still in the same pot and beginning to look a little unruly!
The flowers aren't anything special in close-up, although they do have a fabulous scent when they first open. The leaves are something special though, with small glittery spots in bright sunlight, something I've not yet managed to successfully capture a photo of; if the weather improves.....

Peter - I picked up one of these last year as well (a bargain in Lidl!). The leaves are lovely, with a velvety sheen to them as well as the markings. I've found cuttings root really easily just in tap water.

[SJW]

Here's my Ludisia discolor. It set seed last year although I don't know if these terrestrial orchids have the same tricky germination requirements as other orchids. I did scatter the seed 'dust' around the compost of the parent plant but nothing came up.

[Peter Maguire]

I've found cuttings root really easily just in tap water.

Thanks Steve, I'll be able to test that having just knocked off a couple of the trailing stems when watering! 

[Peter Maguire]

Thought I'd post a picture of a new acquisition which is currently looking fabulous on my study window-sill: Dendrobium 'Berry' is covered in masses of flowers about 1cm across. I just hope I can get it to flower as exuberantly next year.

It's a hybrid of D. kingianum and D. 'Mini Pearl', which itself is a hybrid of D. canaliculatum and D. biggibum - such a great name! 

[Maggi Young]

Never seen that one before, Peter - it certainly looks robust.

[Peter Maguire]

It came from Cowells Garden Centre, site of the 2015 Newcastle show in October. Whoever is buying-in their orchids has a good eye - here's two Dendrobium Sa-Nook hybrids that were at their peak about a month ago with flowers that are larger, about 3cms across; I particularly liked the dark purple form.

I never have been very good at resisting temptation. 

[monocotman]

Hi,
a couple flowering at the moment.
First up is a no id cymbidium from the local homebase.
It has a nice peachy shade to it and is a nicely sized vigorous plant.
Next up is a primary hybrid odontoglossum ardentissimum.
I like the backlit shots of white flowers, there seems to be more detail and texture there,
regards,
David

[monocotman]

Hi,
this is cattleya mossiae alba just opening.
Not quite fully out but I thought the backlit flowers worth showing.
This is the classic spring flowering species with flowers
every bit as opulent as the modern hybrids but a good deal
more elegant.
A pretty easy grower indoors in winter and the cold greenhouse in summer.
David

[Paul Cumbleton]

I just got an orchid I have wanted to grow for some time now - Psychopsis Mariposa 'Green Valley'. The remarkable flowers resemble a large insect giving the common name of Butterfly Orchid (a name also applied to various other orchids). I love the colours on this form. Next task is to see if I can actually grow it successfully!

Paul

[Maggi Young]

Crumbs. Paul, it that looked any more like a "bug" I can imagine someone trying to swat it!

[Steve Garvie]

Paphiopedilum armeniacum

A cool-growing sub-montane Chinese species that allegedly can cope with mild frost -I don't dare put this to the test!

[François Lambert]

I hope my orchids qualify, not exactly house orchids, but 'office orchids'.  I have been growing these for a couple of years now - they are  a left-over from an event and apparently orchids are then supposed to be used just once  .  So I rescued them and twice a year now they brighten up my office.
Sorry for the bad color of the pics, they are supposed to be white flowers, but i couldn't get that really right.

[Maren]

Well done, François, they look really nice and I'm sure they give you a lot of pleasure in your office.

[Anthony Darby]

Iconic view you have from your office window François.