Incoming cargo

[Elena]

Well, it's my and & Mr E's anniversary today. He is working abroad for a few weeks and he's just informed me that instead of ordering for some flowers to be delivered he's bought me some orchids.

So I'm now expecting the following
Vanda Tubtim Velvet X Five Friendships
Psychopsis Butterfly
Burrageara Nelly Isler
Beallara Peggy Ruth Carpenter ' Morning Joy'
Prosthechea cochleata

I know that Nelly Isler should be fairly straight forward, I've read up on Phychopsis before because I really wanted one and I have an idea about Vandas because I have an Ascda already so read lots about their culture.

I have no idea about Beallara and the Prosthechea though so any info on how not to kill these would be fantastic! Am I right in thinking that Prosthechea is normally grown mounted? I'm a litte worried about this one.

[Kerry]

Sorry I can't help you with cultural advice, I am sure someone else will. But I just wanted to say congratulations! And good luck with the new plants.

[Elena]

Thank you Kerry It would have been nice to have him here but hey, can't always have everything.

[Elena]

Actually, after some research I've discovered that the Vanda is not actually a Vanda but is sold as "Ascocenda TUBTIM VELVET X Vascocenda FIVE FRIENDSHIPS". RHS says it's registered as Vascostylis Crownfox Magic. I have no idea about Vascostylis Looks very pretty though.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

That sounds like an excellent anniversary gift! I am sure someone will be able to help you with the Prosthechea cochleata culture. The others are fairly common and most are probably discussed here on the forum already.

Cheers,
BD

[Elena]

Psychopsis is out of stock I'm getting Phal Sweet Memory instead though so that's good, I almost bought one at the RHS show.

[Kerry]

Psychopsis is out of stock I'm getting Phal Sweet Memory instead though so that's good, I almost bought one at the RHS show.

Well maybe you can treat yourself to a Psychopsis at the Peterborough show in June. If you can't wait that long.... there's always more vendors on the internet. Pehaps Mr E would like to be bought one for HIS anniversary present???

[Elena]

Pehaps Mr E would like to be bought one for HIS anniversary present???

How come I never thought of that? I told him not to worry about it because Psychopsis is on my To Buy list for Peterborough anyway, I don't mind waiting.

I'm also getting a Coelogyne cristata instead of Nelly Isler now. Big Yay as I really like them. So the list now looks like this

Vascostylis Crownfox Magic
Coelogyne cristata
Phal Sweet Memory
Beallara Peggy Ruth Carpenter ' Morning Joy' (some websites say it's got an HCC/AOS ?)
Prosthechea (aka Anacheilium aka Encyclia? ) cochleata

[Ron-NY]

The Prosthechea used to be an Encyclia but was moved into this new genus a few years ago. Unlike Encs the Prosthechea cochleata does not like to dry between watering so I keep mine potted. I keep it with my Catts for light level. Common name is The Cockleshell Orchid. It has a lovely sweet fragrance and once it gets large you will find it in bloom most of the year.

[Elena]

Thank you! What sort of thing do you keep it potted in? Just the usual bark mix? Didn't realise that it had a fragrance, sounds great.