Some vandaceous orchids in bloom
The hot dry weather during the last couple of months has been both a boon and a curse. The weather has caused many of my orchids to spring into flowering mode, particularly the vandas, the dendrobiums and paphiopedilums. It has also brought on a resurgence of thrip attacks resulting in buds blasting and deformed flowers. I guess it's time for that insecticide spray, a chore I'm most reluctant to do.
However, I managed to muster the the vanda tribe for a family photo. One of the few plants to escape the attention of the thrips, only because it is placed in a section of the grow area reserved for new new plants, is that large-flowered vanda V Simiran x V Pornpimol with huge flowers measuring 5 1/2 inches. I got this plant about 4 months ago as a BS plant and did not know what kind of flowers to expect. I must say I'm pleasantly surprised - the flowers are the biggest I've ever bloomed! There 8 opened flowers and 4 buds. I hope I'll be able to take some photos when all 12 flowers are open.
Members of the Vandaceous Family... L to R :- 1. Ascda Guo Chia Long x V Dr Anek 2.Ascda Varut Leopard 3.V Pakchong Blue 4.V Simiran x V Pornpimol 5.Christensonia vietnamica x Rhy coelestis 6.Vasco Tham Yuen Hae x Vasco Broga Bluebell 7.Chtra Luang Prabang
#1, #2 & #7 top buds destroyed by thrips, #3 blooms damaged by thrips.
I have taken this family portrait to show the range of colour, size and forms of the vandaceous family.
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