Masdevallia (Masd) imposter

Masdevallia imposter was named for being “an imposter, a deceiver” in reference to its long-mistaken identity. This delightful species can be found in Columbia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.  Described as having large narrow flowers on tall spikes, flowers are a rich red with the dorsal speal tail “caudate” being golden yellow, lateral speal tails are yellow to white. As with many Masdevallias, the petals and the lip are very tiny and often not visible when first viewing the flower.   Many Masdevallias are small plants that are easy to grow and known for providing lots of exotic blooms!

Owner Steve Fischer slected this Masd. imposter from Tropical Orchid Farm when recently visiting Hawaii.

Cultivated in the Home under Lights

Brassidium (Brsdm) Lillian Oka
(Brsdm. Longlen x Onc. gireoudiana)

A stunning orchid that reflects the “spider like” sepals and petals that are from the Brassia parentage. The color of this orchid is a deep chartreuse with chocolate colored bars on the sepals, the petals are almost solid chocolate 3/4 the length of the petals.  Kaoru Oka registered this hybrid in 1991. The orchid is one that adds “wow” to your collection with an inflorescence that exhibits about 8-9 well arranged flowers which are long lasting and sometimes fragrant!

Owners Don & Nona Church cultivate this orchid in the greenhouse

Laeliocattleya (Lc) Tokyo Magic
(Lc. Irene Finney x L. briegeri)

With the ever popular “Classic Cattleya” Lc. Irene Finney as one parent and a charming small Laelia as the other parent, it is no surprise that Lc. Tokyo Magic (registered in 1993) has been well received by the orchid buying public.  A compact growing plant, the flowers are relatively large and feature a color combination that is stunning.  Often times, “yellows” tend to fade with time, however, this cross holds its rich yellow color until the end!  The texture is described as “diamond dust” on the sepals and petals and “velvety” on the lip.  To admire the true strking color and texture of this “charming” cross - view it outdoors in natural sunlight.

Owner Wayne Warzecha cultivated this orchid in the greenhouse.

Encyclia (Ency) radiata

Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala are the native habitats of this very fragrant species. An intermediate grower which blooms in the summer, this species will provide a sweet, strong fragrance that will fill the entire greenhouse.   Easy to grow the blooms are of the “cockle shell” or “clam shell” type which are resupinate (lip is uppermost on flower).  The sepals and petals are a delicate light green and the lip is the outstanding feature with burgundy to purple radiating lines.  Like other Encyclias, this species pseudobulbs are pear shaped.

Owner Diann O’Neill species cultivated in the greenhouse