orchids 2013

I thought I'd take a break from the art once again to bring you more photos of my orchids. These flowers are currently blooming at our residence:

Miniature Phalaenopsis:

 

Gastrochilus Somai:

This Gastrochilus Somai seems to like partially sunny conditions, so I usually hang it off a tree and it gets patchy sunlight throughout the day. It's extremely easy-going, and has unique flowers.

The flowers are about 1/2" and the leaves are about 1 1/2" - 3" long. Colors in photos around the web may vary a bit, but mine are white, yellow, and green with reddish-purple spots. Orchid is native to Japan.

Mystacidium Capense, Orchid

I thought I'd take a break from the art and share another interest of mine: orchids. 

So, I'm a total amateur at growing orchids, but I have a few plants that are willing to work with me and my space. One such plant is my Mystacidium Capense. From what I can remember, this plant is native to South Africa, and is often found growing on citrus trees. It is pollinated at night by moths with long curly noses, hence the long spurs growing off the backs of the flowers.

The flowers are pretty cool. Each is roughly 3/4" wide with a 2" spur hanging off the back. They take a long time to develop (a few months), and then all pop open at once.

They have an incredibly strong floral-coconut fragrance at night.