Trichocentrum Kuquat

[tucker85]

right, but then i was also reading that many come form areas with prolonged dry seasons and should get a winter rest... but with almost no pbulb, how can they do that? my dendrobium kingianum is the only orchid i have that needs a real winter dry spell, and the bulbs look gone, just little stringy stick-stems now... the leaves look fine, but i keep thinking i am going to kill the poor thing. the trichocentrums supposedly have 'succulent leaves' and can wrinkle up but come back to normal looking when you water??? how does that work?

They do have thick leaves that store water. I've never let those leaves dehydrate so I don't know if they would rehydrate after a prolonged dry spell. The only natural habitat I'm familiar with is the mountains of Ecuador where Trichocentrum grow in an area that has a very stable environment that is almost always in the 70's during the day and 60's at night year round. There's a moist dew every morning. Like I say I'm still learning how to grow these. There's very little information available.

[orchidsal]

This plant seems to love what your doing as is Jeff. I do know that knowing habitat cultural information can be quite helpful in the care and blooming of some if not many orchids, but this certainly does not take into account plenty of exceptions. Trial and error is sometimes the only way to go. The colors on these flowers are right up my alley........................Fantastic! AL

[coeruleo]

this ecuador place sounds nice.

[catttan]

A very pretty Trichocentrum, Jeff. These used to be quite popular in the 60's and 70's but nowadays these mule-ears are seldom seen in collections or at the vendors' . I used to have lanceanum, Haematochilum, Dr Schragen and Mem Pepita de Restrepo. back in the days when they were still called 'Oncidium' but now I have only Serevent ( I posted pictures of it some time ago). They do very well here under cattelya conditions, but as Jeff says they are apt to suddenly up and die. They have very diminutive p-bulbs but moisture is stored in the thick leaves which can stay on for quite a considerable time.

[tucker85]

this ecuador place sounds nice.

Cuenca, Ecuador is the place I'm talking about. A lady who grows orchids there gave us a presentation at my orchid society. It has some of the best weather in the world because it's on the equator so the temperature doesn't change much but it's in the mountains at 2500 ft. so the weather is cooler than at lower altitudes.

[pavel]

Very nice warm colors.

[zainal abidin]

Congrats..., for the beautiful flowers and many spikes it's seem to be adapted very well in your atmosphere.

[Gage]

Nice one Jeff! I know we have some mule ear Onc in the Everglades. They would be getting the winter rest. Not sure about all of the different species, just my 2 cents. Great job blooming yours!

[cdayinflorida]

Darn, I don't know how I missed this. Super colors. It looks like a jewel box. Great growing.

[coeruleo]

i would really like to find one of these. the color of it is incredible. the lip reminds me of tolumnia.