Blogging in Myrtle Glen

Oncidium sphacelatum is native to Mexico and is a perfect orchid for the Florida garden.  It grows well in shade or in a sunny place (with some midday shade) and is happy with the occasional orchid fertilizer. This plant likes daily watering in summer with a dry and cool rest period during winter. 

I received a small share of three pseudo bulbs back in 2000 and since then it kept growing and growing… 

here is a picture of it in 2007,  it still fit nicely into a wooden orchid basket. The flower racemes are over 4 feet long.

By 2008 this orchid is spilling over its basket, and it is taking up most of this coffee table

Occupying  a chair for itself, what a spectacular flower show!

During the bad freezes in 2009/2010 I just covered the orchid with a blanket and it did fine.  It got so large, that I placed it on the ground under palm trees.  It is happy there, showing off its hundreds of pretty golden flowers every May.

So, this giant orchid is not ideal for inside or a small greenhouse, but it is perfect for a protected spot in your garden. 

A close-up of its pretty little orchid bloom

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade,

but in the sunshine of life; and …

the greater part of life is sunshine.

[Thomas Jefferson]

Got this Ascocenda orchid as a small seedling at a Plant Sale two years ago. There just was a huge bin and a price tag saying ’1 for $1′. This is the first time it blooms for me

I doubt I will find an ID for this one, but that’s perfectly ok, mutts are just as welcome in Myrtle Glen as the ones with a mile long pedigree

 Look closely, doesn’t it look like a butterfly?

It sure looks like this flower has over-sized eyes. I wonder why? 

The crossing of Ascocentrum and Vanda result in the hybrids known as Ascocendas. You can find them many beautiful colors. They are easy care orchids for Central Florida, grow them on a tree branch or a wooden orchid basket and mist them well once a day. They will need winter protection if temperatures fall below 50F.