Question: I have a small orchid labeled Bc Little Stars. I posted a pic of the blooms a week or two ago. They look just like B. Nodosa except smaller. When I look up Bc Little Stars I mostly get B. Little Stars and it shows it as being a hybrid B. nodosa X B. cordata. All of the B. Little Stars crosses I see have color in the blooms and mine is pure white. Any thoughts?

Jim

Mine has a pure white lip. It came with a Bc. tag too, but they are Brassavola Little Stars. OrchidWiz has parents Brassavola nodosa x Brassavola subulifolia which is a synonym for cordata.
Here's mine.

Thanks, Kathy. It looks just like mine. I was confused by the Bc tag and research just couldn't clear it up for me.

Jim

Kathy,
what is the name of the beautiful flower at the top of the page?

It's Cymbidium Chen's Ruby. It was not doing well here so I sent it to Laurel (maypoplaurel). Hopefully she will save it!

Question: are Epicats as easy to grow as advertised? (I just got one today called "Tinkerbell").

I think they are easy. According to OrchidWiz, the only registered Epicattleya is Serena's Tinkerbell. It likes warm days and nights.

Yes, that is the one! Thanks, Kathy!

Epicats do well in Florida. I've never had a problem with them.

Jim

Thanks, Jim!I

Just got my new issue of Greenhouse Management Pro, one of the most popular professional trade mags, and it listed the top trends in plants for 2011.

Here's one:

"Indoor Gardening
Extend nature’s influence by bringing the outdoors in with houseplants. From “steampunk” Victorian hipster décor rocking among young urbanites to upscale suburban homes, orchids, ferns and palms are now wildly popular. Chic and easy to grow, orchids are graceful additions to any room. Plus these hard-working beauties clean indoor air from volatile organic compounds and provide oxygen.
Phalaenopsis (moth) orchids as well as other varieties from Costa Farms are perfect choices for easy growing, colorful and exotic plants that look as comfortable in 21st century homes as they did in Victorian days. "

Based on this I imagine the greenhouse growers will be gearing up with orchids.

I guess we are ahead of the curve!!

Yup. Although not sure about that “steampunk” Victorian hipster décor. Gotta check that out.

An example for you. http://thesteampunkhome.blogsp...

Ah, I see, thanks!

Hi everyone,
I love orchids too, but seem to have bad luck with them for some reason. Believe me, I have a green thumb too. perhaps reading through your posts i'll get a handle on this. I've been trying phals, think I'll switch to cattelyas, as i think part of my problem is garden placement and sun issues. Even though it is a shady garden, it gets enough sun that it burns my poor little phals.
I also wanted to say that I love the colors and layout of your cubit. It's very refreshing.
The cool green with the wine red is very nice. And I love your banner!

Coming from a banner queen, I feel very honored!! Catts will be much better for you I'm sure!!! I also have trouble with phals but for different reasons.