C. maxima buds emerging from sheath

Last year this plant bloomed in mid-October.  Looks like it will be earlier this year.

Laelia anceps spikes

I have multiple anceps plants spiking.  This is Wallbrun x Helen.  Two spikes visible, two out of frame.

Another C. labiata semi-alba

I acquired this seedling from Cal-Orchid in 2007.  It languished in a pot for a while and then started doing better in a basket.  This Fall will be its first blooming.

Encyclia phoenicea

I bought a seedling last year (two years ago?) from Fred Clarke.  The new growth grew completely sideways (parallel to the top of the pot) - perpendicular to the older smaller growths.  So, something needed to be done.  When I took it out of the small plastic pot it came in I saw that at the center was a sphagnum plug.  This is often how large-scale operations grow seedlings.  From compot to plug tray to pot.  I teased off all the sphagnum and after looking at the situation and seeing that this species likes a very dry rest I decided to mount it on a piece of wood.  Here you can see that recent larger growth parallel to the mount. There is a new growth just starting.  Hopefully the plant will attach to the mount.  If not, it will have a tough time surviving.

Cattleya guttata in situ

C. maxima sheath

Last winter's low temps were very unkind to my C. maximas - they seem more sensitive than other species (that includes both the lowland and upland form).  Here is my 'Hercules' clone - off to the left you can see the pseudobulb I cut last winter.  The newest growth is not as large as the previous year growth but it will still flower.

Stanhopea soon

B. David Sander looking better today

Brassavola David Sander

I could take it or leave it...

Cattleya lueddemanniana

The petals are not as wide as those of some "better" clones but it is still very nice.  Color in real life is less bluish and more purple.

Cattcylaelia Banana Split

I acquired two of these a while back.  I mounted one.  Here you can see the roots are looking good, but the newest growth is stalled.  We'll see how it goes...

C. C.G. Roebling

A while back I acquired a bare-root import of the primary hybrid, C. C.G. Roebling.  It is establishing nicely.  The newest growth is strong and has a big sheath and this growth is pushing out some nice new roots.

purpurata seedling

A few months ago I bought a new purpurata seedling at POE.  I put the seedling in a new pot and it just started a new growth a week or so ago.  Looks likes a second lead may break as well.  No obvious root growth from looking at the top or sides of the pot, but when I looked underneath I saw evidence of a very healthy plant.

Cattleya labiata looking good for 2012

I have a semi-alba that first bloomed in 2010.  That was nice.  Last year, not so good.  Here is the plant now.  One strong growth with a sheath and second growth following.

Stanhopea panamensis

I acquired a small seedling of this Panamanian species about two years ago from Oak Hill Gardens.  It is going to bloom for the first time later this summer.  I've been growing it under my bench and propped off the ground.  When it gets bigger I'll have to hang it.

C. lueddemanniana update

The buds are getting bigger and starting to rotate.

Stanhopea update

Cattleya crispa

This species is supposed to have a nice fragrance.  I suspect it will take a couple of days to develop.

Cattleya leopoldii

I could not capture the color on my camera.  This vid is closer to the true color. 

C. Caudebec 'Carmela'

Received a baby one of these mericlones as a gift (thanks, Dad!) and put it on a piece of cherry wood.  It seems to be liking it and is attaching to the mount nicely.

Dendrobium speciosum

I have one of these - variety pedunculatum - I acquired in 2010 (or was it 2011?) at a local show. I moved it from its pot to a plastic net pot.  This year it was at the edge of the net pot. When new root growth started I took it out and found the roots to be in good shape (it had been in a mix of CHC + perlite).  I decided to put it in a large Aircone pot.  It looks overpotted but the next smaller size I had was too small.  Since the pot was a bit big I made sure to add a nice thick layer of styrofoam peanuts in the bottom of the pot. It is in orchiata bark - I don't use CHC any more.

Cattleya lueddemanniana buds

One of my luedds is going to flower - three buds.  Two is more typical for this species.  Should be nice...