I picked up this Epi-noid a couple of years ago at Trader Joe, which is not something I regularly do. I prefer my Orchids properly labeled. But this one just called me!


(And the E. xlomi are in full bloom sitting on the sunny top shelf.)

What a lovely soft, rosy shade that one is! All mine are hot colors, orange, coral and yellow. I got a little 'hayrack' planter for them and they're going to cascade down the fence. You see them everywhere, growing in pots and borders in gardens here. So pretty!

I like labels on my orchids too, but I still peruse the selection at Trader Joe's regularly. You just never know when they're going to have something interesting and their prices are so reasonable. I saw a Miltassia (?) Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' there a few weeks ago, and it even had a label! They had some stunning cyms for a while, and sometimes have great Dens, too.

I like them in just about every color!
I didn't realize they cascade? Mine just grow straight up and then the keikies add the next steps/layers, into the ceiling!

Trader Joe sold these Cymbidiums here too, I think they were ca 20 bucks! I could easily imagine these being used for outside plantings in proper climate.

I wonder if there are different varieties with stiffer stems? A friend gave me a cutting of one of hers just today that has a very thick stem - looks like it wants to grow straight.

But all my others have slim, pliable stems that make the plant have a lax habit. In fact the first one I got sends its stems along the ground or the top of the fence, then the flowers pop straight up. Now that I ran out to take a look at it, that old one has gotten so lax, it's jumped right out of its basket! Phew, I placed a rock on top of the root mass to keep it in place, but the tree fern next to it has grown so much it is mostly in the shade, and not blooming. I will have to move it along the fence for more light.

Hmm, maybe I should simply simply turn the Epi secundum on its head....

all you!!!
the lanky epidendrums are reed stem epidendrum. They can get very large and take up lots of space as you well know. The smaller thicker caned epi's are compact epidendrum. They really are in all aspects not very compact, but smaller in the square footage they take up.

I havent been to Trader Joes yet. I have 2 new Trader Joes in town and I have been avoiding them.

....BUT I couldnt contain my orchid love any longer when I found a fresh box of " Bag Babies" at Lowes. Right off the truck I heard them call to me from across the room.

Found a Brassavola 'Yellow Bird'
Brassovola 'Mas Mejor with a spike
Encyclia 'Rio Gracias' with a spike
Dendrobium spectabile
Epicattleya "Plastic Doll'
12.98 each isnt bad for an orchid thats bloomed or blooming sized.
I only got them bec I dont see these too often around town. They are all very nice looking plants. Ill post some pics up somewhere since they dont have no blooms.
Ya think I need a doctor?
bag baby

No, you don't need a Dr....just a big greenhouse. The one Lowes near me that carried a variety of orchids, closed. None of the other "big box" stores ever have anything but Phals and Cyms.

You have Orchiditis!!

I would think mine are reed stem Epis. I have always sort of staked them/let them grow straight up and then tie something around the whole thing and anchor it somewhere. The secundum tends to grow very lanky and unruly.

Wow, you got some classy 'chids there Kelly! Bag babies, no less! I'm going to have to hit my Lowe's tomorrow and see if they've got any.

heh these plants come from Florida. Sun Bulb Company. You awl in FL might be able to locate the orchid factory much to your future chagrin

and there ya go I said 'You awl'....

groan....

Ah ha! Your Texas roots betray you, Kelly.

We did visit one such "orchid factory" in fact, when we went to Apopka last week. We were buying Epidendrums in bloom for $3, catts for $4 and Vandas in bloom for $8 each.

The future chagrin is already happening, as I need another new shelf unit, and of course another trip to Apopka in the fall, which takes a whole tank of gas to get there and back. So the cheap price of the 'chids is offset by the expense of going to get them somewhat. The "fun" factor is priceless, of course.

I have a new bloomer today, Brassavola nodosa 'Big Jim' has opened with one petal slightly askew.

Just one new bloom discovered out in the OC today and that is species Enc. Ciliare.


Big Jim (here and at Elaine's too)

I just took a walk out by the big live oak tree. Here is the Phaius I bought on the last trip to Apopka. I think it is Phaius Dan Rosenberg 'Tropical Ice'.


The first Spathoglottis plicata orchids are beginning to open.


The bamboo orchid, Arundina graminifolia.


Laurel's Cym Leodogran 'Cradlemont' has been blooming for months and months.


This Epi radicans seems happy.


Back inside the OC, a new bloom on Blc. Frank Fordyce 'Waiakea Uka'.


Jim

No slowing down there, Jim! The Arundina looks like a nice bird of sorts trying to take off. Epidendrum ciliare is always interesting! I have to look out for one at the next event!

I am sure the petals will straighten out on the next bloom, Elaine!

Thanks, Ursula. I've been working hard in the garden despite temps near 90 degrees. Tomorrow I give a presentation on roses at a garden club plant festival at 11:00 and then I'm free. It seems like it is one thing after another.

Jim

Gigi Plumeria, I hope you don't mind - moved your post to the April thread, so I wouldn't get ignored here in the old March thread....

Ursula

Posted by Gigi Plumeria
I guess I'm wrong on my pink phal orchid bloom, they are still good but they just don't want to open. Here it is 3 weeks after:




Do you ever sometimes feel like your plants are looking at you? Well, my orchids's blooms are refusing to open, now I know why, an orchid fairy is hiding in it!



.

See a close up of my orchid fairy

http://www.flickr.com/photos/g...


Carol, Jim and Ursula, I bet you have lots of orchid fairies too!

Well, in my case - I see more grinning Mealies and their consort....

I agree. Something is sucking the vigor out of your plant or it has suffered a tramatic experience. Your fairy should stop smiling and start taking action.

Jim