Aranda " Christine"

Images taken at DBKU Orchid Garden, Kuching using N93i cameraphone.

According to records, the Aranda Christine has been crossed with Vanda Rothschildiana to become "Peterson" done at the Singapore Orchids in 1968. Also the A. Christine has been crossed with Mary Catherina Bowman to produce a hybrid called " Subang" done by the Lim Chin Orchid Nursery in 1978.

Ref: V.P.E. Phang (1983) A list of Orchid Hybrids of Singapore and Malaysia, 1960 -1980. Singapore University Press, Singapore.

Holltumara "Akihito"

Images taken at DBKU Orchid Garden, Kuching using N93i cameraphone.

The genus Holltumara is a cross between Arachnis x Renanthera x Vanda and therefore considered of trigeneric origin. The Holltumara " Akihito" is named after the Japanese Emperor. In orchid hybridization, the trend is towards multigeneric hybridization . Successful genera for multigeneric hybridization includes Dendrobium, Vanda, Aranda, Phalaenopsis and Renantanda.

Ref: V.P.E. Phang ( 1983) A list of Orchid Hybrids of Singapore and Malaysia, 1960 -1980. Singapore University Press, Singapore.

Vanda "Taib"

Images taken at DBKU Orchid Garden, Kuching using N93i cameraphone.

Phalaenopsis bellina ( Normah Orchid)

Images taken at DBKU Orchid Garden, Kuching using N93i cameraphone.

Phalaenopsis hybrids

Sometimes called moth or moon orchids, the Phalaenopsis genus is widespread in Southeast Asia ( Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines). Several thousand hybrids have been produced from the Phalaenopsis parentage with some combined with other genera like Aerides, Renanthera or Vanda. Because of the extensive hybridisation, the colour varieties are multitudinous except blue.

Phalaenopsis amabilis (Anggerek Bulan or "Flowers of the Moon")

Taken at Padawan 's Pitcher Plant and Orchid Center using N93i.

Taken at a nursery in Kuching using N93i.

A hundred years ago in Indonesia, only princesses were allowed to sport the moon orchids or "Anggerek Bulan" on their hair ( as mark of their royalty). Today the plant is very much used in hybridisation. (Teoh Eng Soon (1982) A Joy Forever, Times International, Singapore.

Oncidium goldiana ( Golden Shower)

Images taken at DBKU Orchid Garden, Kuching using N93i cameraphone

Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi

The Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi is an epiphytic orchid that is native to the regions of India to Myanmar right on to Malaysia and the island of Borneo. Found in the lowland forests, it produce fragrant flowers alternatively i.e. one at a time over an extended period . Its sepals and petals are pale yellow and barred with red brown spots. Each flower is about 2 inches long and borne on a branched and flattened inflorescence.

The pictures above were taken at the Pitcher Plants and Orchids Center, Padawan using N93i cameraphone.

Phaius tankervillae

The Phaius tankervillae is a terrestrial orchid which is found in the Kelabit Highlands, Bario in the Miri Division. There are many Phaius species in Malaysia but the popular one is still the P. tankervillae which has large scented flowers. It has a thick erect flower spike containing about 10 -20 flowers. The flower is powdery white on the outside but looking reddish brown to maroon on its open face. The lip is large. Only a few flowers open at a time. The plant needs a cool environment and best grown under shade and requires a well-aerated soil with plenty of organic matter.

The above pictures were taken at the PitcherPlants and Orchids Center at Padawan using N93i cameraphone.

Dendrobium secundum ( Bottle-brush orchid)

The Dendrobium secundum or bottle-brush orchid has much appeal among orchid lovers and even orchid scientists for its peculiar inflorescence's. They look like long pink bottle-brushes, though they may come in other colours like purple or white or combinations of purple and white. Each flower is small and does not open fully. The compact and unique arrangement of the flowers make the secundum a very distinctive species.

The above pictures were taken at the Pitcher Plants and Orchids Centre at Padawan, using N93i cameraphone.

Calanthe vestita

Calanthe vestita

On location: Padawan

Aranda panni

Aranda panni

On location: DBKU Orchid Garden, Kuching.

Paphiopedilum lowii (Lowii's slipper orchids)

The naturalist Hugh Low travelled in Sarawak in 1846 and named this plant as Cypripedium lowii but was subsequently renamed Paphiopedilum lowii. Paphiopedilums are sometimes referred to as slipper orchids on account of its slipper-shaped lips. They have spreading spoon-shaped petals with purple tips and dark blackish spots in their lower parts.

Spathoglottis plicata and hybrids

On a recent visit to the DBKU Orchid Garden in Kuching, I noticed a good collection of Spathoglottis orchids planted along a small stream that meanders within the garden compound. Spathoglottis orchids are terrestrial or ground orchids and one of the commonest variety in Sarawak is the Spathoglottis plicata bearing purple flowers. Present were also the Spathoglottis aurea (golden colours) and many others that have combinations of colours as a result of the hybridising process. Below are examples.

 

Initial notes

Created this blog on the early hours of 19/4/10 in Kuching. This blog is dedicated in memory of Mas Muliady and Arthur George Alphonso.