In bloom: Ctsm. Jumbo Eagle and Aloe 'Dorian Black'

Today I have two plants to show. First up is Ctsm. Jumbo Eagle, which is sanguineum x expansum. It has heavy substance and nice dark color. In person it looks almost black - unfortunately the flash of the camera bleaches it slightly making it look more burgundy. I picked up this cute at a Catoctin Orchid Society auction a couple years back. Oddly, I have a tough time with catasetums and similar. I'm sort of cheap with the fertilizer, which ctsms don't tolerate well. This summer I dumped some used coffee grounds on top of the pot and also made a point to fertilize it a couple times. This was much appreciated as you can see.

Next we have Aloe 'Dorian Black'.
This plant currently has 3 inflorescences in various stages of development. Its a small growing aloe with several tightly packed rosettes in a 5 inch pot. I thought this miniature clone was known for foliage with a brown overlay, but my plant is light green with darker ridges and little white teeth. I assume the color of my plant is a result of light that is too weak. It lives with my cattleyas and doesn't get full sun. But like a good little aloe it blooms a few times per year and has great flower color. If you're interested in succulents but haven't tried aloes, I highly recommend you check them out. They're really great plants and easy to grow.

Paph. Fumi's Delight 'Olivia'

In bloom this week: Paph. Fumi's Delight 'Olivia'
= (armeniacum x micranthum)

This is a first bloom seedling that I'm really rather pleased with. Lovely yellow color from armeniacum, plus a little patterning from micranthum, with the size you would expect from this pairing. I've been looking over the other things I have in bloom at the moment trying to decide who I can apply its pollen to...any suggestions? Right now I'm thinking I might go with one of my plants of Paph. Wössner Vollmond, particularly the one I call 'Angel Wings' because it has nice size in general with large, wavy petals. Wössner Vollmond is niveum x armeniacum. The downside of this pairing is the offspring will likely be white, not yellow. White is nice too, but the yellow color is just so warm and pleasing. Maybe I'll just make something just odd, such as Fumi's Delight x venustum or Maudiae. Hey, it could turn out really cool! Of course it could also be totally hideous... But that's the fun of making seeds.

Sreepy, the backyard alligator

Everyone, meet Sreepy, the backyard alligator. He has a lazy streak and some allergies, and much prefers the life at home to life in the swamp. His main diet is cookies. He looks a little ridiculous, with his lazy eyes and crooked teeth, which I think is just right. I had wanted to make an alligator when I started making Teh, the cartoon lizard, but as I started working over his head I realized he was a much better little lizard than alligator. But as it turns out Teh's new mommy also wanted an alligator! We talked it over, she made some really great suggestions in terms of color and attitude of the animal and this sparked all kinds of ideas in me that led to Sreepy. I'm really pleased with how he turned out and very happy that she asked about alligators. I don't think he would have been nearly as cool without the ideas she provided. Thanks omeow!