PLEIONE 2011

[Maren]

You did well, Pieter, Pln forrestii can be rather difficult. It often aborts its flowers, which is so frustrating. In it's habitat, it can be found growing in moss on trees. So that must be the answer, lots of moss and excellent drainage. I have found that all pleiones grow better in company. I now grow them in groups in bowls, whenever I can. It really makes a difference. If one is a bit heavy with the watering at times, there will be strong plants in the group who can take it up, which means that the weaker plants aren't overwhelmed.

[Sempervivum]

Now flowering with me: Pleione Tolima.

[Alex]

A few from today - Pleione yunnanensis, P. limprichtii X albiflora and a shot of my little Pleione area now there are a few flowers.

Cheers,

Alex

[Alex]

As requested by Maren, here are a few more views of my greenhouse (the interior, anyway).

[Alex]

I should clarify - I have a small end section that is largely (but not completely) devoted to cacti and succulents.

[Maren]

Oh my - that's a beautiful greenhouse. I quite expected it when I first saw one of its 'feet'.

[Alex]

Hi Rob,

Yes, it is an unusual cross I think, or at least I haven't seen it anywhere else. I got it from Crustacare in Belgium (one of the absolute best hardy orchid nurseries around) last year, I don't even know whether it has been named.

Maren,

Glad you like the pics, but it's not as beautiful as your own fantastically restored greenhouse!

Cheers,

Alex

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Some more Pleiones have been in flower over the last few days :

1-2 : P. erebus 'Redpoll'
3-4 : P. Gerry Mundey 'Tinny's firs'
5-6 : P. jorullo 'Long Tailed Tit'
7-8 : P. shantung 'Ducat'

[ThomasB]

Alex, that albiflora x limprichtii cross has an interesting flower shape and colour. Would be hard to guess the albiflora parent from the look of the flower. 

Flowering for me are two big crosses. A pale x barbarae and a Shantung (from Pottertons) with nice peachy colour and yellow lip.

[Maren]

Luc,

beautiful pleiones and gorgeous pictures. I wish I could take pictures like that.

Thomas,

the Shantung is rather special, I agree.

[Pete Clarke]

Nice Shantung Thomas.

Here are;
Rakata "Keith Rattray"
2 more yellowish Sifaka's, they seem to be quite similar.

[SteveC2]

I've been given a few of these, supposedly formosana, but now they are in flower that's obviously wrong.  I know that many of the hybrids look similar but any thoughts as to correct identification would be much appreciated.

[ThomasB]

Steve, my guess for your plant is Tongariro.

[Sempervivum]

Flowering with two blooms: Pleione Shantung 'Silver Anniversary', the most vigorous one of all my Pleiones.

[Pete Clarke]

Edgecumbe 1 - first time flowering.
Lucy - another bulb flowering 1st time, again has a very open & flared lip.
grandiflora
Shantung Ducat.