Knickknacks, orchids that are, in bloom

[bench72]

Holy VEAL is right!!! I think from this point on, I will say "HOLY VEAL". I like it! It definitely has a nice ring to it!!!

I agree with the ladies!

And I suppose in foothill of the Himalayas where this species is also found, they probably do say Holey Veal

[Piper]

Only if they hunt it with a shotgun, Tim-o!

(That's how the early swiss hunted their cheese...)

Julie

[bench72]

what what what??? you mean it ain't the mice that made the holes in them cheeese???

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

Tim-O and Piper, you guys are a very funny bunch!!!! Yeah right, swiss people make holes in their cheese by shooting at it!

Since we mention the topics of african orchids in another thread, well, this african orchid has been in bloom for a while now. Very vigorous plant, it loves light and loves to bloom! Fragrant!
Cheers. Hoa.

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

The African leopard orchid in its full glory. Large and dark blobs on the flowers remind people of the beautiful african prime predators, hence the nickname. Hundreds of flowers on the spike and very fragrant.
Cheers. Hoa.

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

A charming miniature african orchid, it is very floriferous. The spike is like 3-4 times longer than the plant! I feel sorry for it every time it tries to bloom. The plant works so hard for many months to make the spike then all of the flowers. Light citrus fragrance at night. We damaged some of the flowers by moving it around so I only took the picture of the tip of the spike. Not all of the flowers open yet. Enjoy.
Cheers. Hoa.

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

Another african orchid just recently blooms. I believe these jumellea orchids emit one of the best fragrances in the orchid kingdom! Everytime this plant blooms, we take it inside the house and as the night falls, its heavenly fragrance would gently permeate all the living space! My father always gets up around 4 am and enjoys the elegant scent of this orchid while working on his book in his study. What a joy that orchids give!
Cheers. Hoa.

[Piper]

Lovely pics, Hoa!

I hadn't heard that these genera were native to Africa, so thanks for the lesson! The 'Nilotica' does resemble a fleet, predatory cat on the Serengeti Plain!

Are Angraecums and Aerangis African as well? Or are they widespread genera? (I thought some were South American, but I can't recall.)

I absolutely love Jumellea, and want one at some point - if they don't mind New England winters. I've always lusted after the Jumellea maxillarioides. Are all the species fragrant?

Thanks for the safari tour and the lovely pics!

Julie

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

Hi Julie,
Angraecums and Aerangis are orchids from Africa only (although there might be a few exceptions but they hang close to Africa). One of my Angraecums was in spike a while back but the buds blasted so no flowers, hence no picture. I would not say that these genera are widespread but their distribution in the wild is quite significant although certain species in their respective genus have very limited range.

I believe that all Jumellea species are heavenly fragrant. These plants are very slow growing and they seem to like rather coolish temperatures, not too hot, not too cold but they appear to be able to tolerate both temperature extremes very well (very cold like <40 F or very hot like >90 F). They are lovely and majestic plants even when not in bloom. So by all means, if you get a chance, bring one home.
Cheers. Hoa.

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

An amazing maxillaria species currently in bloom. Extremely strong sweet scent! First picture taken when the flowers just opened. Second was taken one week later when the color became more mature!
Cheers. Hoa.