Dendrobium agathodaemonis

Dendrobium agathodaemonis is usually considered a synonym of Dendrobium cuthbertsonii and comparing this post with the previous will certainly show why.  If there are any reason to consider them separate species then the lack of dark markings on the lip and the very thin growths distinguish this species.  The growth on my plant are 1 cm tall and produce 3 cm flowers.  My plant is grown on a piece of cedar and the flowers are pendant.

Dendrobium cuthbertsonii bicolor

This is one of a number of bicolor Dendrobium cuthbertsonii I own, and this is one of the better examples, with very large and very open flowers.  Like other examples of this species the plant itself is tiny, only 2 cm tall, with 4 cm flowers.  Some of the plants of this species I grow mounted.  This is grown in a clay pot in live sphagnum, but does no better than those that are mounted.

Dendrobium Illusion

This is one of several plants I own of the hybrid of Dendrobium cuthbertsonii and Dendrobium lawesii.  The cross has reduced the size of Dendrobium lawesii, a species with long pendant canes, and has produced a plant with erect growths and flowers that are more open (those of Dendrobium lawesii are tubular).  The hybrid has canes 12 cm tall with 3 cm flowers that are produced in clusters.  The leaves have the "pebbled" appearance of the Dendrobium cuthbertsonii parent.

Lepanthes ribes

I had given this plant up for dead but noticed today that it was putting up new growth and had even produced a flower, so I moved it to a more suitable location  in the hope it will flourish there.  It comes from Ecuador and Colombia and is only about 6 cm tall, but the flower is nearly 1.5 cm.  As is often the case with Lepanthes, it bears its flowers on thin, wiry spikes, in this case about 6 cm long.  The name of the species, ribes, refers to its fancied resemblance of the flowers to the fruits of plants in the genus Ribes.

Angraecum rutenbergianum

These flowers look similar to the species I recently posted, Angraecum dideri, but both plant and flowers are much smaller.  Like Angraecum dideri, Angraecum rutenbergianum is from Madagascar and prefers cooler temperatures.  The plant grows to 8 cm and the flowers are almost as large as the plant, 5.5 cm with a 12 cm spur or nectary.  The flowers are fragrant at night.  They are held very close to the plant.  My plant is mounted on a piece of cedar and this is the first time I've bloomed it.  The plant is still quite small, barely beyond the seedling stage.

Promenaea xanthina 'Botanica'

Promenaea is a relatively unknown genus of orchids from Brazil.  The different species in the genus are all small, produce large flowers for the size of the plant and require cooler temperatures, high humidity and good air movement.  Promenaea xanthina is the best-known species in the genus and the most readily available.  It has 5 cm flowers on an 8 cm plant and blooms prolifically when happy.