Orchid of the Month: September

Neocogniauxia monophylla

Neocogniauxia monophylla

This miniature beauty from the Blue Mountains of Jamaica was described by Rudolph Schlechter although it had previously appeared as Laelia and Epidendrum. Ideal for the small greenhouse in cool conditions, it is space-saving and colourful. The plant is compact with single, leathery leaves which have a reddish tinge in bright light. The flowers are a stunning scarlet-orange and up to 5 cm. wide and with a purple anther cap. It can be grown in pots or mounted on twigs as it tends to grow in nature.

Now available mounted for £16 + £5 postage.

Orchid of the month: July

Dendrobium subacaule

Dendrobium subacaule

This species was the first in the Section Oxyglossum to be described when, in 1821, Caspar Georg Carl Reinwardt, a Prussian born Dutch botanist made a collecting trip to the north Molluccas. He founded the Botanical Garden at Bogor whence much of our early knowledge of Indonesian orchids emanated. Among the species bearing his name are the Javan Trogon, an Indonesian flying frog, the Blackcap Babbler and the range-footed scrubfowl. He was professor at the University of Leiden from 1823-45 and died, aged 80 in 1854.

Your editor first saw this miniscule species growing on moss-covered twigs at Mount Hagen in New Guinea. But Dendrobium subacaule is not confined to New Guinea as it is also found in the Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal). It is one of the smallest species in the section; only Dendrobium delicatulum and Dendrobium putnamii are smaller, but it is quite startling to find. The plants are typically only an inch (2.5 cm.) high and so are mostly hidden in the mossy substrate. But when the red flowers appear it fits Canon Cruttwell’s description of ‘Twigs Aflame’. They are not always red: purplish-red, orange and even yellow specimens have been found. All flowers have the characteristic orange-red lip.

Culturally it presents problems. Because of its small size, it needs special care. Seedlings are about 1 cm. high and have good roots. They can be started off in sphagnum until growth is apparent and then either potted in fine bark compost or tied to a mossy twig. They should not be allowed to dry out. As the species is found up to 2500 metres (over 8000 ft), it is cool growing and conditions that suit Sophronitis will suit this too. Wet and windy! When the flowers appear, they can last for up to six months!

Orchid of the month: February

Cadetia chionantha

Cadetia chionantha
Photo: David Menzies

Cadetia chionantha is a charming miniature, epiphytic or lithophytic orchid found up to 3000 metres in Papua New Guinea.
It was first described by Rudolph Schlechter as Dendrobium chionanthum and, according to Andre Schuitemen in ‘A Guide to Dendrobium of New Guinea,’ this is now the correct name.

The pseudobulbs and leaves measure together about 5 cm. and the plant forms a vivid green clump decorated with crystalline-white flowers which appear all through the year with a boost in spring. It grows best in fine bark compost in cool conditions with high humidity and some shade and should never be allowed to dry out. It does not take kindly to splitting or repotting and then it needs to be handled with care. It is a constant delight to have in any collection.