Orchid Borealis

Angraecum viguieri is native to northern and central Madagascar (Province of Antsiranana and Toamasina , Cribb & Hermans 2009).  Thy occur in Humid, evergreen forest on plateau and mossy ridge-top forest from the elevations of 900-1100m.  Based on the elevation range, I was growing it at a warm end of intermediate temperature for 7 years; the max/min daily temperature is 29-27/21-24C (80-85/70-75F) in the summer and 18-21/16-18C (65-70/60-65F) in the winter.  It kept growing, but I didn't get any flowers.  In September 2021, I removed it from the mount and potted it.  That's why the stem has the bonsai-like bent.   I also moved it to a cooler area; the max/min daily temperature is 29/18C (84/65F) in the summer and 21/13C (70/55F) in the winter.  And I finally got rewarded with the fragrant flower this year.  The cooler area also gives more seasonal variation in the temperature, compared to the relatively constant temperature of the basement....

Paphiopedilum mastersianum is known to occur in Ambon Island and Buru Island , a part of the Maluk Islands in Indonesia (Cribb 1988). The Maluk Islands are located between Sulawesi and New Guinea. It grows at elevations between 900-2000m in they shady montane forest (Cribb 1988).  The lime green dorsal sepal with the white margin beatutifully contrasts with the deep maroon of the petals. I have been growing them from the flask for 6 years, and this is the first blooming among the siblings.  Frequently, we don't know the lineages of orchids, but here I want to write down what is know about the history of this plant.  I got the flask ( TN8004 ) from Troy Meyers Conservatory in May 2016.  Seeds were sown in January 2015 ( link to photos of seeds).  This flask was derived from SlipperTalk collaboration ( link ). Actually, my plants are the second generation from the collaboration. My friend, Rick Lockwood, got pollen from Uri Baruk's plant ('Uri' = 'MC3991'), a...