Arpophyllum giganteum

Arpophyllum giganteum

Today I visited Patrick Donnelly from the Walker Bay Orchid Society after work. Patrick very kindly gave me one of his Arpophyllum giganteum specimens. This was the first time I have seen this species in cultivation. The plant is large with beautiful strap-type tall leaves. The flower inflorescence is striking against the contrast of the leaves and the many tiny pink flowers are resupinate which is rather intriguing. I have taken a few pics at various distances. I have also pollinated a few flowers to see if I can get some pods to develop. The pollinia are blue!

 

Patrick mentioned to me that the species can be grown in full sunlight. Additional information on the web suggests that it can be grown as per cool-growing Cattleyas but that it needs a cold Winter to trigger flowering in Sping

 

Thank you once again Patrick!

 

Closer view (and upside-down)

Single (upside-down) bloom

Eulophia streptopetala?

Eulophia streptopetala?



This rather stunning Eulophia is currently flowering at home in Hermanus. All my Eulophias have done particularly well. One thing is puzzling though. Last year this same plant produced flowers that looked more like those of Eulophia parvilora... so much so that since I bought this plant (also labelled as E. parviflora, but not in flower at that time), I thought it actually WAS E. parviflora! I am certainly not disappointed and I will be taking this plant for viewing at the plant table at next Thursday's Walker Bay Orchid Society meeting for some general interest and feedback. It looks more like E. streptopetala though doesn't it? Your thoughts are always welcome.

 

I will take my camera through to the meeting next week to report back on what else is brought to the plant table. I am looking forward to the meeting. It will be my first.

 

Close-up of single flower

 The follow-up:

Well, today was the day to go to the Walker Bay Orchid Society meeting not last week and not Thursday! Thanks to Patrick Donnelly of the society I made it today! I'm afraid I left my camera behind but I was most impressed with the quality of the plants at the plant table. One in particular stood out for me from all the rest - a beautiful specimen of Vanda bensonii. Check the link (click on the name) for pics on the net. One thing is striking though, the flowers are powerfully scented but pleasantly so. I could smell the flowers sitting some 5 or 6 metres away from the plant. I took the Eulophia along. It attracted some interested folk, some of whome had never seen the plant before. I am proud of my little Eulophia.