In Bloom: Two Dischidia Species

Top: Dischidia hirsuta 'Red Leaf'.
No fragrance that I can detect, but it only has one open flower right now.
Bottom: Dischidia nummularia (variegated).
Flowers on this one smell like a cut rose that is past it's peak.
Flowers on both are approximately 1/4 inch.

Dischidias are generally easy, rewarding species to grow, and may be kept easily among your orchids in low to medium light. These plants have been kept among the phalaenopsis seedlings under fluorescent light (2 bulbs, approx 8 inches from plant). They are epiphytic vines which are easily rooted in pots of sphagnum or frequently watered mounts. Most of them are also very quick growers, twining around all kinds of things, but the variegated nummularia above has been a little slower for me.

2009 SEPOS Show, Paph Installment

Last weekend I went to the South East Pennsylvania Orchid Society Show at Longwood Gardens. I came away with hundreds of pictures and two dead camera batteries. I still haven't finished weeding through them (though, admittedly I've procrastinated a bit) and don't know how to pare it down to a few highlights for the blog. Thought I'd do a few installments of highlights instead, so you can see more photos! Today we'll be starting with some paphs, focusing on species, although there were also plenty of hybrids of interest.


Paph. sangii 'Suzanne' HCC/AOS
Sangii is a rather rare species in cultivation, and a fantastic flower, so deserves top billing.



Top: Paph. villosum 'Lloyds' AM/AOS
Bottom: Paph. villosum '#1'



Top: Paph. hirsutissimum 'Buffy Lynn' HCC/AOS
Bottom: A different Paph. hirsutissimum


Paph. bulleniamum var. tortipetalum


Paph. lowii 'MacLean' AM/AOS - a rather nice and unusual lowii due to the dark color, especially on the dorsal.

Next time: Exciting Dendrobiums