Unknown cross. I've had this plant for more than 15 years. I'm ashamed to say it tumbled around the yard when my personal life got difficult. It went through a terrible phase of malnutrition, scale infestation, sunburnt and yet it stubbornly continued to produce a new pseudobulb every year. It took a little over a year and a half to recover from a small salvageable section.

It's now properly cared for and it showed it's appreciation this year in these lovelies. I love the maroon in the center of the lip. It's compliments the orange and yellow, nicely. It makes me happy to see it's bright happy colors. I am in constant appreciation of the orchids that have responded to my care and bloom regularly, now. My conscious endevour to make sure they are in a good environment is a very rewarding experience. I enjoy the effort.

what beautiful colors... all of them are so lovely...

Another view of the last kingianum hybrid I posted.

Dendrobium Delicatum "Madam''.

colorful little angels...

At least two years trying to get this one to produce several leads. This year not strong enough to produce more than one bloom. Still refining my orchids' care.

Jewel Box "Dark Waters"

Wow! Dark-red orchid . that's the 1st time I see such. Gorgeous color. Is that a rare orchid, or is it just harder to grow?

Nice flowers! I really like orchids, but I don't really bother with trying to grow them just yet... Maybe if I get a bit more head-knowledge. We'll see. Beautiful specimens.

~palmsandsnow

StrawC, yes it's a pretty maroon red. "The cross SLC (Sophrolaeliocattleya) is in the Cattleya Alliance. This cross is comprised of the combination of Sophronitis, Laelia and Cattleya.
Generally this cross produces a smaller, more compact plant, generally
standing 6 inches high or less. Compact cattleyas grow in smaller pots
(4 inches and smaller), thus taking up far less space on your benches
or window sills."- viviorchids.com

Sophronitis is the mini of the bunch and so this cross is pretty compact. It also imparts red into it's progeny. It was registered in 1962 -The year I was born! SO, it has been around a long time. I've had this one over 15 years.

Thanks Palmsandsnow. I think my success is because I stay with the plants that are known to withstand more of the extremes in temps. Many of mine have orchids that are native to Mexico in their make-up so adapt quite well in California.

I'm learning a bit more from the orchid forum experienced growers. Much great advice as I venture onto untried genera - Catasetums. :]

Wow, very beautiful flowers. I need to go back to the drawing board - mine aren't nearly as pretty.

Thank you Pamela,

It took me about 2-3 years to bring back my orchids to a healthy state once again. Since I grow all outdoors, it's mostly being very conscious of Californias true desert nature of dry and windy days and making sure the plants have some humidity several times a day.

Another Orchid Show acquisition - 2 years in my care, I think.

Ctna. the label has parents in the cross followed by 'Hawaii'. It's a cutie in any case.

Oh they are so beautiful....

It was nice seeing this unknown hybrid's color deepen from sunlight these last few days. I photographed on its decline, but, it's color is still rich.

Such vibrant purple color ... so pretty. I have Iris in deep purple, but I prefer that medium purple .. wonderful colors !!

Wow! I'm speechless!!! I'm glad that you make your collection burst out in bloom. Keep up the good work. I hope I could do the same :))) Thanks for sharing ; )

Hi Tongol J,

Thanks for your nice comment. I'm glad you're enjoying the pics. :]

Unknown cross, but, it's apparently happy growing in its little niche on the bench.

So pretty and delicate, reminds me of the orchids I saw in an orchid-show at local shopping mall. They don't sell yellow orchids much at local stores ... mostly pink and lavender.

A canhamiana cross purple. It smells like peppery Lucky Charm marshmallows.

My drug of choice - Orchids!!!

One day I went out to the yard and saw this:
I love Spring. :]

I love Spring too, except that it isn't here yet.

palmsandsnow, aaaaaaw. I'm sure it's around the corner. My orchids are blooming kinda early, actually. So, still waiting on the official day.

Do you ever post over on the orchid forum, or do you just vent on the C&S forum?

Is that speciosum? An amazing show...

New Zygo seedling in the house. Acquired at the SB Orchid Show.

P&S, Isn't this the orchid forum? I do love flowering cactus. Childhood interests fullgrown. Orchids and cactus vy for 1st place.

Harvey, I don't know...def in it's background, but, can't find the tag to be sure.

I'm confident it is Den. speciosum.

Aztcqn, for your garden orchids, when adding pictures instead could you please start another thread? This one is getting difficult with the very long required scroll. Perhaps one a season?

Thanks.

Ha. You got me on that one.

I have seen some of your cactus bloom threads. It seems like there are quite a few posters on this forum that also enjoy orchids (including me)... Interesting...

We're just mesmerized by flowers in all shapes. ;]

Laelia Pacavia

Never knew of these Zygopetalum alliance orchids and fell in love with this cutie - Tsubotaara Melinda
Marie 'Blue Moon'

Even the backs of the flowers are cute!

I appreciate Gardenweb giving me a spot to post. I use this thread to archive my orchid pics from year to year. It's great to go back and see the growth and changes from time to time.

My 1st pacavia, acquired in 2013, has bloomed as well.

A new pacavia from this summer SBO Estate sale.
Couldn't resist the darker lip and lighter contrasting petal color. :]

This one, I think has potential. I really liked the strong striations on the lip and the soft lavender veins creating a blush on the petals. I'm hoping with good growing, next year blooms will have larger and better presentation.

Wow! You have the most beautiful collection, great job

Thanks Vickys!

I try to keep them happy, rained on and fed but, mostly their grow needs match my conditions. :]

First time trying a sobralia. Bought in flower. It's cool how it keeps pushing out a bloom from the same sheath!
This is the 3rd flower on same stalk.

Hello Sport 'Intrigue'

Monnierara Millenium Magic -Witchcraft
I'm so happy. I finally succeeded in coaxing out spikes from both my black flowered catasetums. They are so beautiful.

2 spikes :]

Fredclarkeara After Dark 'SVO Black Pearl

This pic of it opening.

The heralds of spring.

Aztcqn: Gorgeous !! I praise God for making such symmetry and beauty. I love the orgazined pattern & harmony of colors.

Beautiful and interesting! I for one am glad you have kept all of the orcs on one thread! I just hit end and am transported to the end of the page and scroll up to where I last viewed. Thanks again for posting here.

HI strawchicago! A big joy for me is filling my garden with colorful blooms.
Thanks yeonassky, appreciate the repeat visits. :]

It's much easier to keep them all in one place. If a particular orchid makes a spectacular showing a pic will appear in the gallery. Curious, where / how do you hit "end" to start at the bottom?

This oncidium and it's twin have been generous with their spikes, 3 a year.

Such beauty right in your backyard! I'm so jealous! But how do you remember the watering and feeding schedules of such a variety of orchids?

Great handle - luvmychids

Since I don't have a greenhouse the majority of my "chids" :] I've chosen for similar temp and growth patterns, even if from different parts of the world, that fit my yard's microclimate in Los Angeles. Because they grow similarly, I feed them all the same stuff on the same schedule during Spring and Summer. The only ones that take particular consideration are the nobile type dendrobiums, the catasetums both requiring clear rest periods with little to no water and the vanda types which need misting every single day. They all get rainwater.

One of the catasetums. Smells like cinnamon.

Two of my acquisitions from the SB Orchid show.

AZ, I'm envious of your climate! (I'm here in zone 6 in New England, four winter storms in three weeks!). I see that this thread has been active for a long time, and you have posted some beautiful photos of your orchids and other things. Also, some nice blooming cacti. Since you like both orchids and cacti, do you have any orchid cacti? I have one, grown indoors, that rarely blooms.

Thank you Bill. Without these greenies my life would be somewhat colorless. I enjoy growing them and am overjoyed when they flower.

:] I do have epiphyllums, here and there. They get blasted with sun and grow well when watered enough. I rarely feed them. Blooms appear every year. I suspect your plant may not get enough sun or temperatures are too even.

AZ, it gets full sun all day in the sun room. And that room is unheated, so in winter it may be in the high 60's during the day, and down to near 50 at night. It did bloom last year, but nothing this year.

How cool is it when they all synchronize their beauty?!!

Stunning!!

Awesome show!