Paperwhites

 I wanted something that I could grow inside my apartment during the winter that was cheap, easy to maintain and beautiful to look at; so I decided to go with some paperwhites.The paperwhite or narcissus papyraceus is a perennial bulbous plant that grows well in groups and is very fragrant. The thing that I like most about these plants are that they don't need to be planted in soil; just place them among some rocks, add water, and watch them flower. This is an easy DIY for anyone to do, even if you don't have a green thumb.
Below I have some pictures of my little display chronicling the growth of the flowers.

My paperwhite bulbs.

I bought the paperwhites at a garden center in October for less than 1 dollar a piece. You are supposed to keep them closed in a paper bag in a dry place until you are ready to plant them. Even though I kept them in the bag the whole time you can see that some shoots are already coming up.

Container with rocks

Next take any type of container you want; something clear is preferable because then you can see the green stalks and rocks. I picked a low round bowl but something tall could also work. I added some some small pebbles for the roots to grow around and some large rocks to keep the bulbs in place.

Bulbs in the container.

Place the bulbs however you wish in the container as long at the shoots will grow straight up. Then add water to just cover the small pebbles. Since this is in my bathroom I don't need to water it as much since the steam from the shower adds moisture to the air.

Stalks growing rapidly.

Only a week later and already the shoots have grown into tall green stalks. I have no real method to watering the bulbs; only when it looks like there is no water left in the bowl.

First flower.

A few days later and the first flower appears. You can see how one of the stalks is bent over but it righted itself again in a few days. I think this because of the amount of sun coming in the window and the temperature outside.

Lots of flowers

 About two and half to three weeks later all of the bulbs have now flowered. Again some of the stalks have gone sideways but I was able to right them all.

Bright and cheery for the winter

Paperwhite Flowers

Hope you learned how to bring something beautiful and easy to do into your own home.

Orchids: Part IV

So here is my final post about all the lovely orchids that were on display this year at the Phipps Conservatory Orchid and Bonsai exhibit 2012.  I wanted to share some of the less common orchids that made me stop and stare.

It is amazing that there can be so many different varieties of one single genre of flower; some looking so unique that you wouldn't even suspect that they are orchids.



Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Onicidium

Cymbidum:
  Moira

Fredclarkeara:
After Dark
'SVO Black Pearl' FCC/AOS

Cymbidium:
Via Mar Tranquila
'Mt. Cook'

Epidendrum ciliare var.oerstedii

Rhyncholaeliocattleya:
Honolulu Sunset

Dendrobium: 
 Remy Hartman

Cymbidium:
Happy Days
'Sanbar's Green Envy'

Cymbidium:
Showgirl
'Marion Miller'

Odontocidium:
Wildcat
'Bobcat'

Dendrobium: 
Starlet Beauty
'Robsan' AM/AOS

Laeliocattleya:
Melody Fair
'Carol'

Aliceara: 
Memoria Jay Yamada

Laeliocatanthe:
 Cosmo-Cerrito

Bakerara:
Clownish
'Cotton Candy'

Cymbidium: 
Red Beauty 'Evening Star'
HCC/AOS

Since orchids need to be kept in a warm climate visiting the  the orchid room at Phipps can be a nice reprieve from the snowy Pittsburgh weather. So I encourage you to go out and visit your local conservatory bask in the warmth of flowery scented air and view some beautiful flowers.  

Paphiopedilum Orchids

The Paphiopedilum  or Lady Slipper Orchids, are my absolute favorite type of orchid. I think it is because of their unique shape which are slightly insect like that I find them so fascinating. There are about 80 different species of the Paphiopedilum Orchid and they are native to South China, India, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
For more detailed information about these orchids click here.

Here are some pictures of the different Paphiopedilum Orchids at the current Phipps flower show.

ENJOY!

Paphiopedilum:Arturianum

Paphiopedilum: Wallur x Stokes Poges

Paphiopedilum: John Hanes 'Scott'

Paphiopedilum: Millheart 'Doris'

Paphiopedilum: Paphiopedilum Iowii

Paphiopedilum: Radley

Paphiopedilum: Paphiopedilum Villosum

Paphiopedilum: Mildred Hunter x gratriaxianum

Paphiopedilum: Yerba Buena 'Whitecap' HCC/AOS x Gwenpur 'Symetry'

Paphiopedilum: Patricia Haynes x Milmoore 'Khasi' HCC/AOS

Bonsai Bonanza

So my last few posts sharing about the current Phipps exhibit have all focused on orchids but don't worry I didn't forget about all you Bonsai lovers out there.

When you enter the serpentine room where all the bonsai were located it can feel a little underwhelming. But when you stop and study  the miniature trees you can see how wonderful they are. Some of the displays made me think that I was looking at a tiny forest and any second small animals where going to come run down the trunks and over the mossy floor. Others of them looked so impossible the way they were growing horizontally with the branches hanging over the sides of the bowls. Some even had tiny flowers that were bloom and some may get fruit as the season continues.


Here are some of my favorites.

Looking in on the serpentine room; not all that impressive until you look at the individual displays.

Twisting trunk of a Chinese Banyan: Ficus thonningii

Flowering Natal Plum; Carissa macrocarpa

Dwarf Natal Plum; Carissa macrocarpa

Weeping Fig:Ficus benjamina

Close up of the weeping fig; looks like a forest floor

Silverberry; Elaeagnus commutata

Love these roots. Japanese Pittosporum; Pittosporum tobira

This one had little flowers growing. Indoor Oak; Buddleja indica

Lavendar Star Flower; Grewia caffra

Closer look at the flower.

For more information about Phipps click here.

Doritaenopsis Orchids

As I mentioned in my last blog post the Doritaenopsis is any Phaleanopsis  orchid crossed with a Doritis (Dor xPhal).  If there is any history at all of the Doritis  in the Phalaenopsis then it is referred to as a Doritaenopsis. However these flowers are botanically now reclassified as Phalaenopsis orchids though they are referred to as Doritaenopsis  horticulturally.

It can be difficult to tell the differences between orchids with Doritis breeding and those without so I relied heavily on the name placards at Phipps Conservatory.
Here are a pictures from the Orchid and Bonsai Exhibit 2012; you'll find that they look very similar to the classic Phalaenopsis orchids.

As always ENJOY!

Doritaenopsis: Saitama Alliance 'Kazu'

Doritaenopsis: Frank Sarris

Doritaenopsis:Taida Salu 'Red Stripes'