Monday, January 30, 2012

Specklinia tripterantha

Once classified as part of the massive genus, Pleurothallis, the plant was reclassified in 2004 by Carlyle Luer.  By any name, however, it is an oddity, at least in this case.  My plant has turned out to be cleistogamous or self-pollinating.  It bloomed for the first time this winter with quite a few flower spikes and only one flower opened: the rest developed seed pods.

The plant is 10 cm tall and the flowers are 2 cm in size and lovely light yellow color, but I am going to pass the plant on to someone else.  I'd like to see if the flowers are self-pollinating when grown at a warmer temperature, but don't have the time or patience to find out.   The plant is very common, ranging from southern Centeral America down through much of South America.




Friday, January 20, 2012

Masdevallia decumana

I have two plants of this species, one is mounted and the other potted and both do well, blooming profusely in early winter.  The species is from Ecuador and in my opinion is one of the most beautiful and desirable of the Masdevallias.  The plant is 10 cm tall with flowers that are equally large.


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Masdevallia sotoana

Masdevallia sotoana is a recently described species from Ecuador that looks like a poor cousin of Masdevallia strobelii,  The coloration of the two species is similar and this species also has the glandular hairs covering the inside of the sepals that are a feature of all the species in section Saltatrices.  As noted with other species from this group, these have both the "hairs" and a kind a "belly" at the base of the flower, though this is not very distinct in Masdevallia sotoana.  The plant is a miniature, 7 cm tall, and the flowers, which are held just above the foliage, are about 2 cm long.



Thursday, January 12, 2012

Paphiopedilum Nighfire x Slipknot

This unregistered hybrid really belongs to son Edward and was a gift several years ago.  It blooms on every new growth and sometimes produces two flowers per spike.  It has mottled foliage and long, very strong spikes.  I always enjoy photographing it when it is in bloom for obvious reasons.




Friday, January 6, 2012

Masdevallia glandulosa

Masdevallia glandulosa is another small species from Ecuador.  Its flowers are unique both for the tiny glandular hairs for which the plant is named and for their strong clove scent.  The plant will perfume a whole room.  I have seen clones of this species where the tails curl back, but this particular clone does not open widely and holds its tails forward.  In my experience the plant prefers to be potted and likes somewhat moister conditions and lower light than other Masdevallias.  The individual flowers are a bit over 3 cm in length and the plant is 8 cm tall.




Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Masdevallia naevia

Masdevallia naevia is from Ecuador and belongs to the group of Masdevallias that have rather large, spidery flowers.  This species blooms on spikes that hold the flowers well above the foliage and the flowers are 10 cm from tip to tip.  The name "naevia" refers to the purple spot at the base of the dorsal sepal and means "birthmark."