November went by with lots of interesting Orchid blooms and good discussions and now we are looking at December 1., time for a new thread! Please all join in and post away!
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The thread "Our Orchid blooms in November 2014" in Orchids forum
Let me start with my Phrag Sorcerer's Fire. This one started to bloom in Summer and it just keeps on opening buds on several spikes. I moved it yesterday downstairs into the living room, to enjoy it better. In the greenhouse it had been sitting on the top shelf against the house wall, a very sunny bright spot. The pot was flooded daily, and it got fish tank water every so often.


If you love Gongoras but don't have the room for one, as many can get very large, you might like Gongora (Acropera) armeniaca. This one is almost a miniature Orchid and it clumps freely, not taking up much room at all. I flood it daily with rain water and consider it a warm grower. It does not need bright light and it blooms several times a year. (btw Gongora/Acropera horichiana is similar and just as cute. )

Oh my goodness! Starting the month beautifully! And I'm ing again! Love the Phrag Sorcerer's Fire! A real stunner!

Nice start to the month, Ursula. I have a better chance of getting Kathy's snow than of growing a Phrag like that. Now the Gongora is interesting. I may have to look for that one.

Jim

I'm thrilled with my newest addition...She's blooming like crazy in my SW facing window.

Ooh, dancing ladies performing just for you. Very nice, Tara!

Jim

Thanks Jim!

Ohhh I love your orchids!!! I always wanted to grow Phrags but perhaps my climate is too steamy? Zone 10a S. FL.

Kate, just from my personal experience (and I'm way north of you), I never had any success growing Phrag. I figured it was simply because I have all my orchids outside in the spring/summer months, and the Phrag. did not like the heat. After my last one died a decade or more ago, I just never tried to grow them (or Paph.) again. Perhaps I could grow them IF I had AC in my greenhouse, but that's not going to happen. I just stick to those varieties that like it warm.

Thanks all.
I understand, Ken.

Why try to grow something you simply don't have the conditions for it!
Now for some strange reason this particular Phrag is ok in warmer weather, it always starts blooming during the hot Summer months here. Now if you are talking Phrag besseae and hybrids like Phrag Jason Fischer, they will bloom distorted when kept too warm. In addition - surely there are many other Phrags not liking warm.

Tara, cute Dancing Ladies!

My dancing ladies are seeding up the scapes too. Flowers soon. Touch wood

Glen, that sounds promising.

Finally I have blooms!

Plectrophora triquetra






Oncidium coloratum - barely opening today. They take forever to bloom.

I always just love that Phrag too. Lovely colors. I'm with Jim and Ken though, it is just too hot here for them to do well. Even in hot weather where Ursula is, the nights cool off so the plants get a little bit of rest. Not here, esp if you are growing orchids outdoors like I am.

We see them at Selby Gardens where they have temperature controlled greenhouses, and of course at the orchid shows in the winter months. I'm happy to enjoy them there, and of course Ursula's beautiful pictures.

The Plectrophora is fascinating, Melissa.

Cool Plectrophora triquetra, Melissa. I've never tried to grow one of those.

Jim

The Plectrophora is awesome, Melissa. That one is new for me!

All,

The Plectrophora grows like the Aerangis types. It is super easy. Lots of humidity. Mostly shade.

Amazing bloom.

Carol, please keep us updated on the big rains out there! Above all, stay safe.

Jim

I heard you guys missed me so I'm dropping in and I have a bloom to report! I have a vanda in spike and I thought I was going to have to wait on it to open to show you guys something. But I was walking around the yard today and I walked around the shade house when I saw that my Neostylis Lou Sneary 'Bluebird' was blooming! This one is very reliable and seems to thrive in spite of me.



I bought a new camera a couple weeks ago and I'm still playing with it, but hopefully my pictures still look good. It's just a newer version of a Sony Cybershot, which was the previous camera I owned, so most of the buttons are the same.

I'll have to take pictures of Mom's orchids blooming away in her tropical conservatory (aka the master bath). She's dyeing her hair right now because she's going to a holiday dinner with Dad and I guess she wants to look her best. I'll sneak in there later. She's got a Phal and some kind of Cattleya or Cattleya mix blooming.

We did miss you, Melanie. What lovely little blue birds you've got flying around your garden!