Some new 2024 hybrids that I like

These are seedlings from the same seedpod. The one on the bottom displaying stronger Phal Mok Choi Yew characteristics. 
 

Finally, a nice round one. Took a few attempts but well worth the effort. 

I like the bold dark yellow markings. Flower is relatively big at 5.5cm X 6.0cm. Petals and sepals are thick. 

This one is smaller 4.5cm X 4.5cm but rounder. Colour is even and intense. 

Tacca integrifolia aka Tacca nivea aka white bat lily

Have been wanting to grow one of this for the longest time. I first started looking around local nurseries trying to find one. Found one at AMK nursery which did not survive long enough to mature and bloom. Then I tried looking for one at flower shows and Chaktuchak market. Those I bought at flower shows which were supposed to be white turn out to be normal ones. Found one at Chaktuchak in bloom but thought for S$50 it was pricy 10 years ago. Passed on the plant. A decision i regretted.  Next I tried growing from seeds. Bought from several sources online.  Followed all the germinating instructions but non sprouted those who have read my blog before will remember I wrote about it. I also bought 3 plants from a reputable seller in the US had them shipped to Texas and then back to Singapore but again they were nothing like the Nivea they were listed as.

Fast forward 10+ years I finally got 2 plants last year as gifts bought from Gardens by the Bay. This month one finally began to flower and there are currently 2 nice large flowers almost in full bloom. Flowers are larger than I had expected, much bigger than the green or black variety. 

Tacca Integrifolia aka White Bat Lily

Phalaenopsis Dunman High in full glory

 The best by this plant since I bought it some time back....Phalaenopsis Dunman High. It has grown significantly larger since then and have been divided into 2. 

Phalaenopsis Dunman High

Bulbophyllum Spiesii

 This big guy produced multiple blooms in March 2023. Lasted quite a while and the insects did the pollination job for me. 

 

Bulbophyllum Spiesii 

Phalaenopsis Sonia Lai Xin Ya

 Hello 2024 and I finally have a new hybrid to ring in the new year after a very long break. Love the first flower. Intense red almost maroon with subtly visible concentric rings. A Phalaenopsis Teoh Tee Teong hybrid from Moi Hwa Nursery was one of the parent plants. First from the flasks to bloom. Looking forward to more surprises!

Phalaenopsis Sonia Lai Xin Ya

Some old some new.... 2020 is coming

The year turning a corner, has been raining almost everyday. I have been busy and have not collected my orchids from Julius. Here is the link to his facebook Julius Ng Orchids.

A composite of a couple of bellina first blooms as well as some old blooms. A PK "chinyo" that has not bloomed for a long time.

Wishing everyone a merry christmas and a happy 2020 !!!

Para denevei again

The denevei is blooming again thanks to the heat spell. I didn't get around to do the swlfing last time. Maybe I will try again.

 

Bulbophyllum cruentum ... finally !

I wanted some Renanthera bella and hopefully Bulbophyllum cruentum. I didn't get the Renanthera but managed to finally get hold of some Bulbo cruentum. A specie I have been trying to find for a long time. Thanks to Julius Ng @ Julius Ng Orchids its now in the collection together with the other macrobulbons.  I shall try and share some photos of Julius's nursery when I next collect my orchids.

More blooms

The 2 spikes from Teoh Tee Teong hybrid feeling a bit crowded compared to the Bellina red blooms.

Collected some seedlings

3 bottles were ready to be deflasked.  As usual break bottles, wash off media, fungicide soak then into containers with spaghnum moss.

Some Bels

The net have been patched....  less intrusion by the birds and the flowers are coming back ...

Less toxic option

Have been switching to less harmful option......neem oil and plant based detergent.

Promising

A first bloom from a bellina chen seedling....

In full glory

Just before selfing....

Almost there

Nearly in full bloom....

Paraphalaenopsis denevei

My denevei is starting to bloom....  looks really good. The last two selfings didn't work out so I will make another attempt and see if I will be third time lucky....

Japanese persimmons doing well

The Japanese persimmons seeds have germinated and grown well. The plants look really healthy now. These have been growing in full sun the last few months. May have to be repotted soon.

The awakening...

One of my amorphophallus titaniums awakening from hibernation. One step nearer …..but still some way to go !

Buddha's Hand from Ben's @ 58 Market

Buddha's hand, literal translation from the chinese name "佛手“  Citrus medica L.var.saecodactylis Swingle. I have seen these before but always wondered if they will do well here let alone fruit. I saw one of these on sale at the 58 market plant/flower stall (corner stall next to the fruit stall) run by Ben and his wife. A small crowd had gathered and was looking at it obviously attracted by the novelty of this uncommon specimen and a couple of large fruits on the plant. As I was carrying quite a few things and my hands were full, said to myself "i will buy it if its still here when i come back.....  "

I now have 3 in my garden :)

Seedlings came back and a new spike from my Denevei

Deflasked 6 bottles of seedlings finally. They came back a few weeks ago buy I have been delaying the deflasking because of the hot weather. I finally had to because some of the bottles were beginning to deteriorate. 3 of the bottles had nice big seedlings while the rest were so so .

A new spike from the Paraphalaenopsis denevei