#pseudobulb

[orchidmilkshake]

Psh. Cochleata

Jules & Elaine’ AM/AOS x ‘Steve Kelepecz’ AM/AOS

new pseudobulb and a spike making its way out!

[coffeenuts]

[prince-liest]

After an adventure with FedEx misdelivery (the driver apparently actually came back and re-delivered the package), my orchids have arrived!!

The Phalaenopsis Sweet Memory 'Liodoro'! No scent yet, but I've heard that's common for new/stressed plants that have just bloomed, so I'm very exciting for when it decides to grace me with its fragrance. It's clearly a really healthy, mature plant - there's a visible old spike from previous flowering, and the leaves are enormous! There's also a new flower bud hiding behind the mature bloom, ready to open soon. I'm so hyped to finally have one of these. My mom immediatelly called dibs on any keikis it ever makes, haha.

Phalaenopsis Kenneth Schubert 'Hualien Blue Wave,' another fragrant violacea hybrid like the Sweet Memory 'Liodoro'! This one is also has peloric parentage, which is a mutation where the petals of the flower start looking a little bit more like the flower lip. In this case it's the two petals that have more purple ridging on the sides, which I think looks really freaking pretty and adds a lot of charm to these flowers.

And lastly my new (and first ever) cattleya, the Lois McNeil 'Ace AM/AOS'! Cattleyas are very often fragrant in general (as you can see, I went all in on fragrant orchids after first experiencing one with the oncidium I bought a couple of months ago). The photo of the actual flower here is from the listing, as I bought this as a mature plant that is not currently in bud/bloom. However, it has new canes coming up and you can see in the photo that is has bloomed in the past, so I have no concerns about having to wait for years for it to mature!

I actually really love the look of the cattleya canes - they feel much more neat than oncidium pseudobulbs. This orchid may actually end up on my windowsill rather than under the grow lights because these guys love a bit of filtered or morning sunlight and bloom much better with it! Phals can often tolerate and enjoy gentle direct sun as well (I used to keep my phals on an eastern windowsill), but cattleyas are known for liking more light.

I'm so happy with these three plants! <3

[myfoodsflowers]

Spathoglottis plicata 🌸🌱 "The Philippine ground" orchid, เอื้องดินใบหมาก is an evergreen, terrestrial plant with crowded pseudobulbs, three or four large, pleated leaves and up to forty resupinate

[ranatsume]

11.23.24

C. walkeriana var. flammea 'Tokutsu' GM/JOGA

It’s been a year and four months and finally this orchid has some new growth! I was expecting a pseudobulb, but it surprised me with a flower spike! I’m super excited and hope the petals will be streaked with their famous flamed hot pink!!

[inspofromancientworld]

Flowers of Mythology - Orchid

Orchids are a part of the family Orichidaceae, which are perennial plants that have flowers that are both colorful and fragrant and occur over nearly the entire world, except glaciers, with the most diversity in tropical regions and has about 28,000 species and 763 genera. Orchids make up between 6-11% of all seed plants. Because of this, a very simple description is quite difficult, but in general, they have some shared characteristics that put them apart from other flowers, among these are bilateral symmetry of the flower, highly modified petals, many 'upside down'flowers, and very small seeds. The flowers usually have three petals, two smaller with one larger and highly modified to attract specific insects or birds to pollinate them, though in colder regions, where insects are less abundant, they can self-pollinate. A few genera of orchids reproduce asexually by producing plantletts or shoots along the stem.

They tend to grow in one of two ways: They can grow upwards from a single bud where more leaves are added each year, making the stem longer, like vanilla does; or they can produce stems each year that grow to a certain length, bloom, then stop with the next year's growth occurring on a point along the previous year's growth, making it so these orchids grow horizontally rather than vertically, like the genus Cattleya.

Orchids can grow either in soil or on supports like trees without soil. When they grow on trees, their roots hang free and can reach a few meters long to absorb humidity and nutrients from the dust and detritus that lands on them. Some of these and the terrestrial orchids create what is called a pseudobulb, a thickening at the joint between roots and stem to store a reserve nutrients and water against their usual sources drying up.

Orchids are used for perfume as well as food, in the case of Vanilla's seed pods and early purple orchids as examples. Orchids also hold significance in many cultures. The Ancient Greeks give us the modern name of the plants from their demi-god Orchis, who was punished for attempted rape during a celebration of Dionysus by being torn apart and different plants growing from each part with the dual pseudobulbs common in the area symbolizing the source of the sin that brought about his demise, his testicles. This myth, however, appears to be an invention of Louis Liger, who wrote about it in his book Le Jardinier Fleuriste et Historiographe in 1704.

source https://scitechdaily.com/human-obsession-with-orchids-goes-as-far-back-as-roman-times/

Orchids were found on the Ara Pacis Augustae, the Alter of Agustan Peace, in Rome. The alter was consecrated on January 30, 9 BCE to commemorate the Pax Romana after Augusts returned from Hispania and Gual in 13 BCE, which signaled the beginning of a golden age about 200 years of internal stability in Rome. It was only recent study that the plants on carved into the alter and its surroundings were depictions of two orchids native to the Mediterranean, making them the oldest depictions known. Prior to this research, it was thought that orchids didn't appear in artwork until the Renaissance.

[poop-me-a-flower]

Check out this nice fat pseudobulb coming in on my variegated Maxillaria tenuifolia!! I snagged this baby on huge clearance because it was reverting, but it still had one variegated lead so I decided it was worth $10. It’s continued to put out variegated pseudobulbs and I’m very pleased!

Tbh I would have been perfectly happy with a nice regular tenuifolia as well. I’d love for this to bloom for me. They smell incredible.

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Sunday 23 April 2023

The orchid Lycaste suaveolens is found growing in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. It is a pseudobulbous epiphyte and grows primarily in the wet tropical forest. Here the species is flowering in a warm glasshouse.

Jill Raggett

[t0tally-n0t-3m0]

TMA Oc character notes-- Perseus Desdemona Gregoria

Yeah I made a TMA Oc so sue me

How well do they remember their childhood?

They remember small bits and pieces of it. Their father passed out drunk at the kitchen table. His refusal to acknowledge them. He barely looked at them, but when he did there was this profound sadness and hatred in his eyes. The sadness was because they looked like their mother, the hatred was because they killed their mother. He hated them simply for being born.

They remember having an undying thirst for knowledge. They would try to learn anything about everything.

They remember spending nights outside staring at the stars. They remember taking many hobbies, piano, violin, Cello, painting. Just so their dad would be proud of them. It never worked.

They remember realising they were non-binary. They cried so hard, for so long. It was a terrible realisation. 

They remember choosing their name, “Persus”; it sounded right. It fits them. “Percy” was the name they would’ve been given had they been born a boy. 

They remember being alone during primary and middle school. They didn’t have any friends. They would read, alone, in some isolated corner. Their peers didn’t like them. Was it because they were autistic? Because of their ADD? Their OCD? They weren’t even diagnosed back then. Could they see into their head and see their disturbing intrusive thoughts? The ones about hurting people, hurting themself? Or are they just meant to be alone?

What is in their fridge?

Energy drinks, ice cream, easy-to-make foods. Leftovers from when Juliet saw how desolate and barren their fridge was and started sending them home with home cooked meals.

Do they use any nicknames?

When they were still Desdemona they would often go by ‘Mona’, or ‘Dez’ with friends and teachers. Most people now just call them ‘Percy’, Tim calls them ‘Perc’ or ‘Purse’ because he thinks it's funny. Percy doesn’t mind, though.

What’s the first thing someone would see when looking at them?

Their eccentric taste in clothing. It's all either self-made or thrifted. Or they ‘borrowed’ it from one of their friends.

How do they respond to touch? 

If its unexpected they'll flinch. If its an unexpected hug their heart will begin to race.

How do they smell?

Cigarettes and wet pavement. No particular reason I just feel like it fits their vibe.

Clean or messy?

Messy. Percy enjoys chaos. They prefer it, actually. Everything has a place in the chaos of their home and office. They can find everything and anything in there. Well, except for their glasses.

Tea or coffee?

Tea. They don’t like the bitterness of coffee. 

Fears?

Their greatest fear is to be known. Inside and out. They’re an observer. They are supposed to know not to be known.  (Average Eye avatar experience.)

Allergies?

None

Early bird or night owl?

Night Owl. They love staying out at night. They love looking at the stars. Unfortunately due to their job and London's light-pollution they rarely see them. 

Extrovert or introvert?

Introvert.

Relationship status?

Single 

Left handed or right handed?

Ambidextrous 

Superstitious?

Sort of? Their grandmother on their mum's side would often visit from Greece when they were a child. She gifted them a Mati (Evil Eye) necklace which they still wear to this day, more out of sentiment than belief but still, it comforts them. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have superstitions. They’ve never given someone a knife, especially their friends, they’ve never given someone perfume, they try to always have a piece of red on their outfit, and they spit to avoid bad luck (but also because of their smoking habit). 

Ticklish?

Yes, they hate it.

Can they cook/bake?

They can cook basic meals and can make bread from scratch but that's about it.

Weird talents? 

They’re ambidextrous, would that be considered a weird talent?

Actuel talents?

They play the violin and piano and they dabble in painting every once in a while. 

Learning disabilities?

Autism, OCD, ADHD, Pseudobulber affect

Physical disabilities?

Almost blind without their glasses. Which is unfortunate considering they are prone to losing them.

Collections 

They like collecting buttons, cool or pretty ones. They have jars of them. They also own twelve furbies that they bought off a guy from Facebook market place.

Pet Peeves?

When people touch or move their stuff. 

Luxury bath or quick shower?

Luxury bath. They need to relax.

Earbuds or headphones?

Headphones, preferably noise-cancelling ones.

Personality type? 

INTP

Star sign?

Gemini 

Year of the dog

Greatest strengths?

Wit and persuasion. And pure dumb luck.

Greatest weaknesses?Their stubborness and spite.

Pets

An albino rat named Phyllis. She's bigger than normal rats but the vets have assured Percy that it's nothing to worry about.

Favourite curse word

Shit

Favourite season

Autumn. Not too hot. Not too cold. Perfect for layering. 

Call or text?

Text

Favourite colour

They like all colours but are privy to burgundy, maroon and orange

Background/culture?

Their mum was Greek and their father was English. They grew up in England 

Who would they really like to hug?

Their mum

Who would they really like to punch?

Their dad, Elias Bouchard, their ex husband

Story behind their first kiss…

They were 16. Percy had just snuck out of their fathers house and was walking in the park at night with their best friend, Jasper. The pair sat on a bench and looked up at the stars, admiring them. When Percy turned to look at Jasper he was already looking at them, a soft smile on his lips. He leant forward and placed a gentle kiss on their lips. For that single moment, everything was okay.

Their last kiss…

It was the morning before Jasper was arrested. He had kissed them goodbye at the door. That afternoon Percy got a call from the local police that Jasper had been arrested on suspicion for multiple murders across London. They served him with divorce papers a week later. 

Age/birthday

33 as of the tma timeline (2015) 

June 8th 1985

Their scars/birthmarks/ect…

Faded self-harm scars on their thighs

The piece of clothing/jewellery they always wear…

The Mati necklace their grandmother gifted them as a child

[orchidmilkshake]

Bulbophyllum Falcatum growing 6 new pseudobulbs since moving it outside into full and partial sun

[v-as-in-victor]

At the beginning of summer I moved all my orchids outside

This is an act that should be done with caution

And slowly

The first day find some kind shade

That will ease the plants into their change of circumstances

Let them sit out for an hour and then bring them back in

Not too much splendour at once

With a light meter I learned that the human eye is a liar

Anything that looks bright inside is barely a fraction

Of the dimmest light in the garden

The second day the orchids can be outside for longer

Closer to sunbathing, remembering the warmth

And so on, a week of tending and to-and-froing.

But this summer I moved all my orchids

On one day, right out into the sun

An act of love and enthusiasm, I wanted the best for them

My old, sturdy Oncidium got a leaf burned right through

That afternoon, like someone had held a magnifying glass over it

My grand plans for summer were swept away in guilt

And disappointment, I moved mesh chairs over the plants for shade

After the fact, after the damage, after it mattered

I ignored all of them

The Cymbidiums I’d promised to fertilize heavily this year

got nothing from me but remorse

The little Bratonia with flowers like spiders that I’d hunted for

And been so pleased with, I watched a squirrel try to drag away

The whole plant! And I barely minded.

The point of this poem is that I had a dream

Where you and I were looking at the orchids

Now that I’ve brought them back inside to dodge the first frost

And we noticed that in spite of what I’d left undone

They were all throwing spikes up, ready to unfurl their fiery and bizarre flowers

All lips and thrust out petals, purples, spots and streaks

It was a reward and a forgiveness for all the hurt I’d done

A forgiveness for the leaves of Cymbidium Findlaysonianum turning black

And the way I’d looked at the plant with scorn

Taking the shame I felt and turning it into a brittle despairing resentment

Well.

That was a dream. The Findlaysonianum is no closer to blooming

This year than it was last, when I cared for it better

The old Oncidium, the spidery Bratonia

Are alive and that’s the best I could hope for

But

One long, massive spike shot out proudly

From the sturdiest of the plants

It threw a big growth out over the side of its pot

Pseudobulb hanging over empty air

Greedy, heavy with a desire to thrive that I couldn’t slow down

Not the desperate last flower spike hoping to set seed

But a triumphant flag of jagged lavender stars

[clover-seeds]

i got this miltoniopsis ‘happiness’ while it was in bloom two years and some months ago, and i have struggled to find good watering balance for it ever since. it has always grown lots of pseudobulbs, more than one a year, but i got lots of odd shapes, accordion leaves, and strange leaf dieback patterns. it still doesn’t look perfect, by any means, but i have finally been rewarded for patience with these stunning pansy orchid blooms !!!

[prince-liest]

I got this beautiful oncidium intergeneric hybrid (Oncostele Red Silk 'HOF') for $15 at Lowes because a lot of the flowers were falling off and I asked if they'd discount based off of that, which they did. Which is deeply amusing to me because if you know anything about oncidiums or even orchids in general, you can tell that there's a new pseudobulb growth just coming in and there's an extremely obvious brand new flower spike actively coming up.

Anyway, she's beautiful and she took me over an hour to repot because she's two years old and was planted in 100% sphagnum moss by someone who might hate me.

[myfoodsflowers]

Christmas orchid, ข้าวตอกฤาษี Is a plant in the orchid family native to Oceania, Asia, and the islands of eastern Africa. It is a terrestrial orchid that grows in clumps. with crowded pseudobulbs and up to 40 white flowers

[helluvatimes]

A Pseudobulbous Epiphyte

Prosthechea prismatocarpa blooming in a shady section of the Sembcorp Coolhouse. Photo credit: Jonathan Chua.

[ranatsume]

12.29.23

Coelogyne Jannine Banks 'Snow White' HCC/AOS

One flower spike! It was a pseudobulb.