Dendrobium anosmum first flowering

I have been waiting for my Dendrobium anosmum to flower since it pushed out tiny buds back in July. I have been patiently waiting while watching the buds develop to full size. I have two of these; the other is about a month behind the first one. The flowers are fragrant, not overpowering, but pleasantly fragrant of raspberries or a similar fruit. I have been wanting to flower one of these for about 8 years now. I initially began growing my own from seed back in 2011 and 2012, but never got the opportunity to raise my seedlings to flowering size before leaving South Africa. This species seems to do quite well here in Townsville (dry tropics), as do many of the Dendrobium species. My larger plant has canes of about 70-80 cm long, and is currently also pushing out new growth.

Buds just starting to emerge in July

Buds the day before opening (12 September)

Fully opened bloom, about 10 cm across

Another perspective

The next morning

Dendrobium tortile opens first bloom

Over the last two days I have been photographing the progress of my Dendrobium tortile buds as they begin to open. I took several images over a few hours and selected the best to demonstrate the opening of the buds. I have some really nice looking Dendrobium anosmum also waiting to open their large swollen buds soon too. This species though is a real hurry-up-and-wait! It certainly takes its time to produce the buds and to grow them to flowering size - I have been waiting for ages, and I am getting impatient. I am sure though that the wait will eventually be worth it, and I look forward to posting images of its blooms too in the near future.

Sequence of photos showing the opening of a Dendrobium tortile bloom

Fully opened

Townsville Orchid Society spring show 2019

Today I went to the Townsville Orchid Society spring show to have a look at some of the spectacular plants in bloom, and to hopefully pick a few up for myself that were on sale. The show is being held from Friday 6th September to Sunday 8th September at the society's hall on Charles Street. 

Apart from the usual suspects, there were some really interesting species and hybrids displayed which caught my eye (and nose). One in particular, Cymbidium canaliculatum var. Sparkesii was just incredible to view. The plant was super healthy and bold, with flowers just beginning to open (see some pics below). This is certainly a species that I would eventually like to get for my growing collection in future! There were also some awesome (near perfect) Phaius tankervilleae specimens, one of which had blooms up to nearly my height.

There were some good plants on offer too. Many good seedlings were available for some species that are quite unusual - I managed to get an advanced seedling of Robiquetia cerina, and also the primary hybrid Psychopsis mariposa alba. I also picked up (nearly missed) a tiny Dockrillia cucumerina mounted on a tiny piece of cork bark, a healthy Dendrobium tortile, and D. aphyllum. I was disappointed however, that there were two separate vendors selling plants that were clearly diseased with Phyllosticta fungus, which is easily spread between plants, and should never have been allowed anywhere near the exhibited plants of members, let alone at an orchid show! I was also surprised that several species names listed on exhibition plants were misspelled. 

I have attached some pics below:

Ansellia africana

Bulbophyllum Ambrosia

Chysis bractescens

Cymbidium Australian Midnight

Cymbidium canaliculatum var. Sparkesii

C. canaliculatum var. Sparkesii close-up

Cynorkis fastigiata

Dendrobium Aussie Sweetness

Dendrobium capituliflorum

Dendrobium farmeri

Dendrobium lindleyi

Dendrobium secundum alba

Dendrobium secundum

Dendrobium speciosum

Dendrobium tortile

Phaius tankervilleae alba

Phaius tankervilleae

Phaius tankervilleae close-up

Phalaenopsis schilleriana

Renanthera Bella

Trias oblonga

(Vanda hindsii x V. luteola) x V. roeblingiana