orchid | Brooklyn Orchids

The Tale of a Mislabeled Orchid

March 15, 2011 4 Comments

I was just looking at some orchids for sale on Oak Hill Gardens‘ website (thanks for the suggestion, Hillery!) and found out that my Phalaenopsis amboinensis is most likely a Phalaenopsis bastianii instead. Let’s compare, shall we?

AMBOINENSIS:

BASTIANII:

Here’s a photo of my orchid (sorry it’s a bit dark…I took the pic a few minutes ago. It’s dark outside, and my lighting indoors isn’t great):

Mislabeled orchid — My amboinensis...or bastianii??

Totally a bastianii, right?? This is one of the orchids that I received from Orchids by Hausermann a year-ish ago. Its tag says that it’s an amboinensis, and when the first bud opened recently I noted that it looked different than I had expected. I figured that there’s a ton of variety in orchids, so…not a big deal. But when I saw the Phal bastianii on Oak Hill Gardens’ site, I recognized it immediately: that telltale furry purple lip, the slim, oval petals. I don’t really mind—I think it’s beautiful regardless—but I was surprised to find that it had been mislabeled. I suppose this stuff happens a lot in the orchid world, especially considering that when the plants aren’t in bloom, so many of them look the same!

Has anyone out there ever bought an orchid thinking it was one species, but then it turned out to be something else? Do tell!

Events, New York Botanical Garden, Orchid Shows

My Visit to The Orchid Show: On Broadway

March 12, 2011 13 Comments

Orchid Show Entrance Display — Entrance Display

Yesterday morning, my boyfriend and I rented a Zipcar (to avoid sitting on the subway for 3+ hours to and from the Bronx) and drove up to the New York Botanical Garden for the annual Orchid Show! I’ve been talking about going to this show for awhile and was so, so excited to go! My visit to the NYBG’s Orchid Show in 2009 was what initially sparked my interest in these amazing plants, so this show holds a special place in my memories.

As you may know, this year’s theme is “On Broadway.” The display in the entrance to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is seen in the photo above, with orchids creating a proscenium arch and stage in the middle of the large reflecting pool. This display is comprised mostly of Cymbidiums and Epidendrums in yellows, oranges, and reds…and it’s quite a show-stopper (heehee).

Quick warning: LOTS of photos are ahead! 🙂

Orchid of the Week

Orchid of the Week: Oncidium Gower Ramsey

March 11, 2011 1 Comment

The Oncidium Gower Ramsey is a beautiful yellow orchid known as the “Dancing Lady Orchid,” and I think it’s easy to see why:

I chose this festive, cheerful orchid because it represents how I feel about going to The Orchid Show: On Broadway today! I’m doing a little happy dance inside just thinking about all the amazing flowers that I’m gonna see!!!

Honestly, I’m too excited to really say much about this week’s orchid. Stay tuned for lots and lots of photos from my orchid show visit!

My Orchid Garden

My Phal Amboinensis is Blooming!

March 8, 2011 5 Comments

The title of this blog post says it all. I discovered a little bloom opening this morning when I went to mist my orchids:

This is the first of my Hausermann’s purchases to spike and bloom (aside from the Phal manii which was in bloom when it arrived). Mine looks a little different from the typical Phal amboinensis, which you can see in this orchid of the week post from awhile back. The purple lip is what makes this one unique:

The bloom isn’t fully open, but I got so excited that I had to write about it. As you can see, there are two other buds developing on this spike (I wish there were more, but at least it’s blooming, period!). Once this baby opens up more, I’ll post another update!

Also: I’m planning to go to The Orchid Show at the NYBG this Friday! Woohoo!!

My Orchid Garden

Glorious New Big Box Phals

March 4, 2011 10 Comments

This morning I was in the mood for more orchids, so I took a walk to the Home Depot over in Gowanus, which is really not easy to get to on foot. It’s rather sketchy over in those parts (very industrial), but I made it there and back in one piece and with TWO new orchids! The Lowe’s was on my way home so I figured, what the hell, I may as well stop in there too. And, well—as usual—I couldn’t resist. The orchid I got at HD is this lovely dark red Phal that looks more on the magenta side in this photo:

New Red Phal — Beautiful deep red blooms

Orchid of the Week

Orchid of the Week: Zygolum Louisendorf

March 4, 2011 No Comments

I’ve mentioned previously that Zygopetalums are one of my favorite types of orchids. Well, I discovered a similar orchid in the December 2010 issue of Orchids magazine, called Zygolum. It’s a hybrid of Zygopetaum and Zygosepalum, and is apparently less susceuptible to black spots that are often found on Zygopetalum foliage (both of my own Zygos have these spots). For this post, I’m focusing on the variety “Zygolum Louisendorf.”

These orchids are just drop dead GORGEOUS.

Zygolum Louisendorf — Photo credit: Ron-NY, slippertalk.com