BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF ARECANUT

 

Description of the plant

Betel nut is a slender, single-trunked, monoecious palm with a prominent crown shaft.

Size

 The palm reaches a mature height of 10–20 m (33–66 ft) (exceptionally up to 30 m [100 ft]), with a trunk 25–40 cm (10–16 in) in diameter. Typhoons and tropical storms usually prevent the trees from reaching their maximum height. The canopy is typically 2.5–3 m (8–10 ft) in diameter and consists of 8–12 fronds.

Flowers

 Flowers are unisexual, with both male (=staminate) and female (=pistillate) flowers borne in the same inflorescence.

Inflorescences are crowded, much-branched panicles borne below the leaves. Each terminal branch has a few female flowers borne at the base and numerous male flowers extending from there out to the branch tip. Flowers of both sexes have six tepals, are stalkless (=sessile), creamy-white, fragrant; male flowers are minute, deciduous, have six stamens, arrowhead-shaped anthers, rudimentary ovary; female flowers are larger (1.2–2 cm [0.5–0.8 in] long), with six small sterile stamens and a three-celled ovary bearing a triangular stigma with three points at the apex. The male flowers open for a few hours, shedding pollen most in the morning; bees and other insects collect this. The average male flowering period is 2-4 weeks; after this the stigmas in female flowers become receptive for 3-4 days. The sweet-scented male flowers are visited by bees and other insects for nectar, but insects have not been observed visiting the female flowers. It is thought that most of the flowers are wind pollinated

 Leaves

Fronds are even-pinnately compound, 1–1.5 m (3.3–5 ft) long; pinnae (leaflets) 30–50, lanceolate, 30–70 x 3–7 cm (12–28 x 1.2–2.8 in), longest near middle of frond; frond base sheathing, encircling trunk and forming a green crown  shaft, ca. 55 x 15 cm (22 x 6 in).

Fruit

 A fibrous, ovoid drupe, 5–10 x 3–5 cm (2–4 x 1.2–2 in), yellow to orange or red when ripe; pericarp fibrous, ca. 6 mm thick. Seed usually 1, ovoid, globose, or ellipsoidal, 3–4 x 2–4 cm (1.2–1.6 x 0.8–1.6 in), base sometimes flattened; endosperm ruminate (with hard reddish tissue from inner integument extending horizontally into pale brown endosperm); embryo conical, located at seed base.

ARECANUT

Arecanut

Arecanut palm is the source of a common masticatry nut ,popularly known as arecanut, betelnut or supari. Its an essential requisite of several religious and social ceremonies.its popular in Kerala, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Tamilnadu,Assam and West Bengal.The Areca nut is the seed of the Areca palm (Areca catechu), a straight and graceful palm tree growing in most tropical countries. The arecanut palms grow under a variety of climatic and soil conditions. It grows well from almost sea level up to an altitude of 1000 m in areas of abundant and well-distributed rainfall or under irrigated conditions. It is grown in a variety of soils such as laterites, red loams and alluvial

The areca nut is not a true nut but rather a drupe. It is commercially available in dried, cured and fresh forms. While fresh, the husk is green and the nut inside is so soft that it can easily be cut with an average knife. In the ripe fruit the husk becomes yellow or orange and, as it dries, the fruit inside hardens to a wood-like consistency. At that stage the areca nut can only be sliced using a special scissor-like cutter (known as Sarota in Hindi and Aḍakattera in Telugu

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class:      Liliopsida

Order:      Arecales

Family:    Arecaceae

Genus:     Areca

Species:   A. catechuBinomial name Areca catechu

ORIGIN AND HISTORY

The actual source of origin of arecanuts is uncertain. Its cultivation is said to date back to the pre-Christian era. It is mentioned as being cultivated in Malacca before 1593. De Candolle in his work ‘The origin of cultivated plants’ mentions that its origin is probably the Sunda Islands. It is now believed that arecanut is indigenous to southern Asia, Indonesia and possibly the Philippines. It is an aboriginal introduction into New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and western Micronesia and a recent introduction into Fiji, Samoa and other islands.

Geographic distribution

Native : China, Indonesia, Malaysia
Exotic : Fiji, India, Japan, Kenya, Madagascar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, United States of America.

Widely distributed in East Africa,  South Asia, and Pacific islands. It is cultivated from East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula across tropical Asia and Indonesia to the central Pacific and New Guinea In the Pacific, betel nut is grown for local consumption and is a significant item in intra- and inter island trade. Pacific grown betel nut does not, however, reach the large markets of South Asia and for this reason could not be considered a commercial export of international importance.

Chewing betel nut is a popular pastime in some of the Pacific islands such as in Micronesia, Fiji, Solomon Islands, etc. It is an old tradition, enjoyed by islanders of both genders, that provides mild stimulation and a sweetening of the breath.

On the island of Guam, for example, betel nuts are typically gathered from semi-wild trees in ravine forests and distributed through extended families or sold in village stores.

 Current distribution

From SE Asia, betel nut was distributed by indigenous peoples throughout tropical Asia as far as East Africa and the Pacific well before the arrival of Europeans in the region. The palm was distributed to the Pacific islands aboard sailing canoes by the prehistoric ancestors of the Micronesians who explored and settled the islands of the western Pacific.

Betel nut is today grown in East Africa, Madagascar, Arabian Peninsula, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, southern China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. In the Pacific Basin it is grown in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Micronesia (Guam, Palau, Pohnpei, Saipan, Tinian,Rota, Chuuk, Yap), and Vanuatu. It can also be found on some atolls such as Mwoakilloa in Pohnpei State. In the CNMI it is also found on  Pagan, Agrigan, Alamagan, andAnatahan. It has also been recorded as being present onJaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands. In Hawai‘i it is grown mainly as an ornamental.

Details of the plant

Arecanut (Areca catechu L.), being a highly profitable commercial plantation crop, it is important to understand the package of practices to be followed in an arecanut garden and adopt the same for maximizing the returns.

BERRIES AND THEIR BENEFITS

Berries and Their Benefits

BERRY

Berries are fleshy fruits developed from a single ovary and they are very delicious. Besides delicious berries have good health benefits also. Most of the berries are round to semi oblong in shape and are juicy with bright colors like red, blue, green, black etc. It may have sweet or sour taste and some of the common berries include acai berry, black berry, blueberry, gooseberry, grapes, raspberry, strawberry, currant etc. Most of the berries benefits human by providing vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, flavonoids etc and eating these fruits protect human being from cancer. Lutein is another substance present in berries which helps to improve the vision. Berries also help to keep the cardiovascular system in good condition and prevent the age related muscular degeneration, prevents sun damage etc. Almost all the berries helps to improve the immune system and berry fruits benefits diabetic patients and help them to overcome their craving for sugar.  Acai berry is widely used in weight loss programs to reduce the weight. 

Acai berry

Acai berry is a small black purplish fruit and is widely used for making juice and energy drink. The weight loss property of acai berry is widely exploited and acai berry triggers weight loss by improving metabolic rate. Acai berry also helps to break the fat deposits easily and provides energy to the person and is possible due to the antioxidants present in the berries. Acai is also available for cleansing the colon and is available in bottled as well as capsule form. Similarly jams, juices, pancakes etc are also made out of acai berry.

Cranberry

Cranberry is ideal for weight watchers who prefer to have low carb foods. Half a cup of cranberry provides 4 gram carbohydrates and 2 gram fiber. Cranberry is marketed as cranberry sauce, dried cranberry, cranberry concentrate, chocolate coated cranberry, cranberry juice, jam, jelly, muffins, cakes etc. Cranberry helps to keep the urinary tract in good condition and without any infection. Cranberry wine is also very popular.

Blueberries

Blueberries have sweet to tart or tangy taste and are highly nutritious with only low calories. Blueberry has a lot of antioxidants that protect the body from cataract, varicose vein, haemorrhoids, glaucoma, cancer, heart diseases, aging signs etc.  Blueberries are available in raw fresh form readily from the field, frozen form, dried form and are used for making jam, pies, muffins, syrup, juice concentrate, fruit spreads etc.

Blackberry

Blackberry has low sugar and is highly nutritious and half cup of blackberries provide 3.5 grams carbohydrate, 4 grams fiber and 31 calories. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, K and manganese. It also contain antioxidants and ellagic acid and is used for making berry pie, jam, puree and many more recipes are made by including blackberries.  Blackberry wine is also widely served.

Strawberry

Strawberry is a very popular berry used for making a variety of recipes. Strawberry is effective for various health ailments. It benefits people who drink herbal tea made out of strawberries more. Strawberries have good astringent, diuretic, anti-arthritis, anti-gout properties and are used as a liver tonic. Strawberry is widely used for making jam, jelly, cake toppings, puree, concentrate, wine. It is also included in salads, ice creams etc.

Similarly raspberry, gojiberry, gooseberry, juniper berry etc are also popular. Ice cold berry drinks are very popular in holiday spots in summer. Berry fragrance oil is used for scenting the decorative berry candles. As berries are low in fat and carbohydrate they are ideal for diet concerned people.

ORCHIDS- ARRANGED BY SCIENTIFIC NAME STARTS WITH B

Orchids- Arranged by Scientific Name Starts with B

Baptistonia echinata

A Species from Brazil.An unusual and beautiful species. Temperature Tolerant. This is a small sized, cool to hot growing epiphyte, native to Brazil in montane rainforests. Grows  well at elevations of 50 to 1200 meters. It has narrowly ellipsoidal or subcylindric, compressed pseudobulbs partially enveloped basally by several distichous, imbricating, leafless sheaths carrying 1 to 2 apical, oblong-lanceolate, narrowly elliptic or obovate, acute leaves. It blooms in the winter on a 1 1/2' [45 cm] long, pendulous, mottled with dull crimson, paniculate [2 to 6 flowers per branch]or racemose, densly many flowered inflorescence with papery, elliptic, obtuse floral bracts and has numerous small flowers. Approximately 60 bell-shaped maroon and green flowers on one inflorescence. They do best mounted on tree fern or cork and like to be kept humid, with moderate shade and have frequent waterings year round with less after the psuedobulbs fully mature.

·         Common Name The Hedge Hog Baptistonia

• Flower Size to .8" [2 cm]

Barkeria lindleyana

Species from Central America. Found from Mexico to Costa Rica as a medium sized, hot to cool growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid. It occurs at elevations of 200 to 2500 meters in semi-deciduous and deciduous forests. It has cane-like stems enveloped with basal leaf sheaths and oblanceolate, acute, clasping at the base leaves. It blooms on a 32" [80 cm] long, arcuate, laxly few to many [5 to 20] flowered, racemose inflorescence arising on a mature stem with grayish papery bracts and large, showy, nodding flowers occuring in the fall ie August - September blooming. It’s an intermediate growing orchid.

·         Common Name Lindley's Barkeria [English Botanist 1800's]

·         Flower Size 2 to 3" [5 to 6 cm]

Barkeria melanocaulon

Species from Mexico. This minature sized, hot to warm growing sometimes epiphytic and mostly lithophytic species is found in central Oaxaca state of Mexico in the transition zone between tropical deciduous forests and dry oak forests on limestone boulders or the trees above. Seen  at elevations of 1600 to 1700 meters. It has thickened, compressed, 3 to 8 noded stems enveloped completely by scarious, tubular leafless to leaf-bearing sheaths carrying 3 to 6, articulate to the leaf sheath, elliptic to narrowly ovate, acute, coriaceous to sub fleshy leaves. It blooms on a medium length to 15" [17.5 cm] long, laxly few to many flowered, racemose inflorescence arising from a newly developing stem. .Lovely, full, lavender flowers held high above the cane-like foliage. Blooming in the summer with nonfragrant flowers (June - July blooming). This species and the similar B whartoniana differ mainly in the fact that this species has the column adpressed to the lip surface. Fairly obscure.Intermediate growing.

·         Common Name Dark-Stemmed Barkeria

·         Flower Size 1 1/4" [3 cm]

Beallara (Cambria)

                             Flickr photo

The Cambria requires a well-lit spot, but no direct sunlight during the growing season (March-September). The sun is too strong in this period, which can cause the leaves to burn.  The plant likes a room temperature between 18-20 degrees Celsius.

Beallara Marfitch 'Howards Dream', AM/AOS

                             photo from orchidweb

This is one of the most remarkable plants to enter the trade in recent years. Composed of the genera brassia, cochlioda, miltonia, and odontoglossum, it is very showy as well as a great grower for intermediate to temperature tolerant conditions. Temperature Tolerant.

Bletilla striata var. alba

                                    flickr photo

This species is found in Japan, China and Okinawa, as a medium sized warm to cold growing terrestrial with subterranean rounded and compressed psuedobulbs with an erect stem that bears several oblong-lanceolate, plicate flexible leaves and a lax, terminal, 2' [60 cm] long inflorescence arising with a new psuedobulb that has several [to 12], fragrant, somewhat nodding flowers that open in succession in the late spring and summer and requires a winter rest( May-June blooming). An alba-white color form of one of the few cultivated orchids that grow well in the garden in average soil. The patch of the typical color form here, outdoors, in one of the beds at the nursery gets bigger every year producing a spectacular long lasting show every spring. It can take hard frost as well high temperatures. Temperature Tolerant.

·         Common Name The Striped Bletilla Albino Variety

·         Flower Size 1 to 2" [2.5 to 5 cm]

Bothriochilus bellus

                                   flickr photo

Species from Central America .A rarely seen collectors item from the humid forests of Central America. This versatile plant can take both heat and cold. Along with its showy pink and white blooms, the pseudo-bulbs are round and particularly attractive. Temperature Tolerant. November - December blooming.

Brassavolae

Brassavola is a genus of about 15 species, all of which can be found from a region from Mexico through Central America and the West Indies to Brazil andArgentina. Brassavola nodosa is often found growing on trees in low-lying areas near the seashores from Mexico to Panama in Central America and down intoVenezuela in South America.

Brassavola cucullata

Species from Central America and the West Indies. One to two flowered, epiphytic plant that smells somewhat skunky at night, grows best mounted on wood and comes from Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, French Guiana, Surinam, Guyana, Venezuela and Colombia. It is a medium sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte of coastal rainforests up to 1800 meters in elevation. It’s with erect to ascending, slender, terete, jointed stems enveloped by white, scarious, tubular sheaths and carrying a sinlge, apical, linear subulate, terete, fleshy coriaceous leaf that blooms from summer till autumn. It blooms on a short to 8" [20cm] peduncle that is borne at the junction of the single leaf and terete stem. Flowers that appear later in it's season and exposed to a cold snap will have a redder appearance. This is the type species for the genus Graceful night-fragrant flowers, and robust white roots. This plant grows well under intermediate conditions ieWarm to Intermediate.

·         Common Name Hooded Brassavola

·         Flower Size 7" [17.5 cm]

Brassavola Jimminey Cricket

These  are 3 1/2 inch long, sweeping flowers. It’s a vigorous species with upright leaves. It’s  a fusion of the plant's parent Brassavola nodosa's distinct shape, translucent, creamy-green flowers and night fragrance, and B. digbyana's fringed lip. It’s of intermediate growing habit.

Brassavola Little Stars

B. (nodosa x cordata). Meristem. Seedling Size. Several Years to bloom.

Fragrant at night, a charming primary hybrid between the Central and South American species Brassavola nodosa, and the Jamaican native Brassavola cordata. They  have over six flowers on a spike. Its of  Intermediate growing habit.

Brassavola nodosa

Species from Central and South America. They are found from Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Caymans, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Puerto Rico?, French Guaian, Surinam, Guyana, Venzuela, Colombia and Brazil from sea level to about 500 meters as epiphytes or lithophytes and can be quite salt tolerant. I have found them growing on the roots of mangroves in Cozumel, Mexico at sea level. This species is called ""the lady of the night"" because its intoxicating fragrance only comes out after dark. A beautiful, elegant flower with greenish sepals and petals and a showy cream-white lip. Intermediate growing. It is an epiphyte without pseudobulbs that grows to a height of 18 inches and has fleshy leaves up to 12 inches long. The 8 inch inflorescence carries several 3 inch flowers that are fragrant at night. The long, slender sepals and petals are pale green, sometimes peppered with burgundy spots. The wide, pointed lip is white with a light sprinkle of purple spots at the base. Always provide ample ventilation for Brassavola nodosa. These plants can be easily grown in an intermediate environment. Summer day temperatures may reach 86 F but can stay between 69 - 75 F. Temperatures should remain between 55 - 65 F at night.

Brassavola perrinii

Species from Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil. Found in Bolivia, Paraguay, Braziland possibly Argentina. Seen  at elevations of 1980 to 2580 meters as a small to medium sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte. It’s  with slender, terete, stems carrying a single, apical, narrow, terete leaf that blooms on a short, 3 to 6 flowered inflorescence with fragrant flowers that occurs in the spring and summer. A wonderful night-fragrant orchid. Elegant, pale green and white flowers with hanging tail-like foliage. Grows into a great hanging basket. Temperature Tolerant. Spring and Summer blooming.

·         Common Name Perrin's Brassavola [English Gardener 1800's]

·         Flower Size 2 1/2" to 3" [6.75 to 7.5 cm]

Brassia caudata

Species from Central America.Found from Florida, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, French Guaian, Surinam, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. It is a caespitose, medium sized, hot to warm growing, bifoliate epiphyte. It occurs at elevations of sealevel to 1200 meters in tropical rainforests on exposed tree trunks with cylindric, slightly laterally compressed pseudobulbs subtended by foliaceous bracts and 2 elliptic-oblong, coriaceous, carinate abaxially leaves. It blooms on an arcuate to pendant, 8 to 10" [15 to 25 cm] long, many [12] flowered inflorescence arising from the basal axils of a newly mature psuedobulb with fragrant, long-lasting flowers and occuring in the spring and fall. Yellow and brown spider flowers. Warm to Intermediate. Winter blooming.

·         Common Name The Tailed Brassia

·         Flower Size 1 1/2" wide and 6" long [3.75 by 15 cm]

Brassia mexicana

Species from Mexico.A nicely fragrant species from Mexico. It’s a summer blooming orchid. Grows and flowers well under intermediate conditions. Intermediate growing.

Brassia ochroleuca

A Species from Brazi These  are spider like flowers. This prolific bloomer produces stems of greenish-yellow spider-like flowers. Intermediate growing. Fall and Winter blooming.

Brassia verrucosa

This large species is a warm to cool growing epiphyte of open humid, evergreen to semi-deciduous cloud forests on tree trunks and larger branches from altitudes of 900 to 2400 meters that range into Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El SAlvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Venezuela and Brazil. Its  with ovoid-conic, furrowed, slightly laterally compressed pseudobulbs subtended by 1 to 2 foliaceous bracts and has 2, coriaceous, elliptic-lanceolate leaves that are conduplicate at the base. It is distinguished from the other Brassia by the green warts on the base of the lip. They flower in the late spring through the early autumn on a basal, to more than 2' [60 cm] long, erect to arching, inflorescence arising on a mature pseudobulb which are strongly 2 ranked and many [10 to 20] flowered and are slightly fragrant of black pepper. Bright light yellow-green with brown marks over basal third.They need regular waterings and fertilizer year round. The lip of B verrucosa when flattened is oblong-obovate and is essentially unlobed and the flowers are smaller than B brachiata. Plants found inCosta Rica, Panama and South America with this name are either B brachiata [Central America] or B bidens [South America]. This is the only Brassia species that takes temperatures down to freezing.Temperature Tolerant. Summer blooming.

·         Common Name The Warty Brassia

·         Flower Size 6" or less

Brassia verrucosa 'Santa Barbara', AM/AOS

 Species from Mexico to Northern Nicaragua.The spidery flowers of this Central American species were over 14 inches on a spray of nine flowers when it was awarded in '96. Bright light yellow-green with brown marks over basal third. This is the only Brassia species that takes temperatures down to freezing.Temperature Tolerant. Summer blooming.

Brassia wagneri

This bifoliate, small to medium sized, warm to cool growing, epiphytic species is found in Venezuela, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador in cool, wet montane forests at elevations of 480 to 1800 meters.  Its with elongate, tapered, strongly compressed, smooth, light green pseudobulbs subtended by a basal leafless sheath and an upper leaf bearing sheath and carrying 2 apical, lanceolate, acuminate conduplicate towards the base leaves. It blooms in the spring on a basal through a leaf sheath, to 8" [20 cm] long, suberect to arching, terete, green, several [8 to 15] flowered, racemose inflorescence that is shorter than the leaves and arising on a mature psuedobulb. Fantastic spidery blooms on an arching inflorescence; creamy green with brown markings. Compact growing. Warm to Intermediate.

·         Common Name Wagner's Brassia [Germna Orchid Collector inVenezuela 1800's]

·         Flower Size 3 to 4" [12 cm]

Brassia Edvah Loo

This  is a primary hybrid between longissima and gireoudiana. It  produces long sprays of nearly 7 inch tall flowers. It  grows well  in  intermediate house and it never fails to produce a great display. Intermediate growing habit.

Brassia Mem Fritz Boedeker

It’s a hybrid. Striking one foot tall flowers of chocolate-red on a base color green. Blooms freely. Intermediate growing.

Brassidium Wild Warrior 'Santa Barbara', HCC/AOS

A cross combines the chocolate spotted, greenish-cream flowers of Oncidium leucochilum and the slender, spidery shape of Brassia brachiata. Its having  Lightly fragrant flowers spread to four inches. Intermediate growing habit.

Brassocattleya Lilliputian Princess

This is a cross of B. perinii and C. loddigesii. It has yielded charming seedlings ranging in color from cream to pink. Temperature Tolerant.

Brassocattleya Maikai 'Mayumi'

It is a temperature Tolerant orchid. A primary hybrid between Brassavola nodosa and Cattleya bowringiana, this produces vibrant lavender flower in clusters. A prolific grower, Maikai 'Mayumi' has received no less than three certificates of culture merit from the American Orchid Society.

Brassocattleya Sunny Delight 'Maj'

A very showy and floriferous variety from the primary cross of brassavola perinii and cattleya aurantiaca. Temperature Tolerant orchid.

Brassolaelia Sea Urchin

 A primary hybrid between brassovola glauca and laelia anceps. Sweet fragrance, and an unusual shape with a distinct large lip. Temperature tolerant, very hardy, a rewarding plant that blooms throughout the year. Temperature Tolerant plant.

Brassolaelia Sea Urchin 'Pinkie'

A primary hybrid between brassovola glauca and laelia anceps.Temperature. The lesser known pink variety of one of the orchids. Sweet fragrance, and an unusual shape with a distinct large lip. Temperature tolerant, very hardy, a rewarding plant that blooms throughout the year. Tolerant. April - May blooming.

Brassolaeliocattleya Adventurer 'Crothers'

A charming, very reliable blooming, compact, cattleya hybrid.flowers on a spike, Flower count is only two per spike. but can expect six to seven within a couple years. Will grow well indoors under intermediate conditions or out with the Cymbidiums. Temperature Tolerant. October-November blooming orchid

Brassolaeliocattleya Brad Carter 'Bri lea'

One of the showiest and most robust growing temperature-tolerant cattleya hybrids. It’s a Temperature Tolerant orchid. December - January blooming. A magnificient show in December.

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Brassolaeliocattleya Bryce Canyon 'Splendiferous', AM/AOS

It’s a temperature Tolerant, October blooming orchid. A gorgeous, full flowered, fall blooming, bright purple variety. Grows well outdoors with the cymbidiums or in with the other unitfoliate cattleyas.

Brassolaeliocattleya Chia Lin 'Red Rose'

 It’s a temperature Tolerant, Winter blooming orchid. This gorgeous red cattleya will grow well outdoors with cymbidiums and their companions.

Brassolaeliocattleya Chinese Jade 'Marco Polo'

Beautiful, big, green and pink flowers.  It’s a Temperature Tolerant, Summer blooming orchid

Brassolaeliocattleya Everything Nice 'Exquisite', AM/AOS

These do great outside with  cymbidiums, but should grow equally as well inside. Cheerful, bright colored green and fuchsia flowers. With and Award of Merit from the American Orchid Society. Temperature Tolerant and June - July blooming.

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Brassolaeliocattleya Everything Nice 'Showtime', HCC/AOS

Everything is nice about this delightful compact green Cattleya hybrid. It can be grown as outdoors, but expect they'd be just as at home indoors in bright filtered light.Temperature Tolerant. July - August blooming.

Brassolaeliocattleya Guess What 'Doubloon', AM/AOS

 Its having an Incredible color. Highly awarded by the American Orchid Society.Its an  intense yellow Cattleya hybrid is easy to bloom. Can have up to seven flowers per spike.Temperature Tolerant. February blooming.

Brassolaeliocattleya Haw Yuan Beauty 'Hong', AM/AOS

Beautiful cream and magenta splash-petal cattleya with bright yellow on the lip. It won a nice award from the American Orchid Society. Temperature Tolerant. Summer and Fall blooming.

Brassolaeliocattleya Hawaiian Satisfaction

Gorgeous green and pink cattleya hybrid. Easy to grow, temperature tolerant. Good  for outdoor growing in Sub-tropical climates. Temperature Tolerant.

  

Brassolaeliocattleya Janice Pettee

Massive flowers, 8 inches across, with big brightly colored lips. Taking after one of its parents, laelia anceps, it is a very robust grower. Temperature Tolerant.

Brassolaeliocattleya Marjorie Frey 'Woodland Hills', HCC/AOS

An impressive variety. Nine classic Cattleya sized flowers (almost 8") on a single spike. Spike is carried well above the foliage. This variety has taken temperatures to 32 degrees F. Temperature Tolerant.

Brassolaeliocattleya Momilani Rainbow 'The Gypsy'

This is a multicolor Brassolaeliocattleya to be a terrific grower and bloomer with exceptional color. Soft peach-yellow with bright yellow and pink splash. Temperature tolerant. Multiple 3 1/2"" blooms on the inflorescense, plant stands about a foot tall. Temperature Tolerant. Winter blooming.

Brassolaeliocattleya My My

A famous Rod McLellan cross.  It’s a Temperature Tolerant, Winter and Spring blooming orchid. This large flowered, prolific cattleya features an unusual tone of dark lavender

Brassolaeliocattleya Owen Holmes 'Cloud Forest', AM/AOS

In Santa Barbara, it grows great alongside cymbidiums. A very nice temperature tolerant red-purple cattleya variety. Lightly fragrant. Temperature Tolerant. October blooming.

Broughtonia sanguinea

Found in Jamaica and Cuba from sea level to 800 meters as a small sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte. its  with globular to almost cylindric, clustered pseudobulbs carrying 2 apical, coriaceous, oblong, semi-acute leaves. It  blooms on an apical, simple or branching, 1, 8" to 2 feet [20 to 60 cm] long, inflorescence with 5 to 12 successively opening flowers that if left alone will produce new non-fragrant flower clusters from the apex from spring through late summer. Charming species with bright red-lavender one-inch blooms on a long inflorescence for a very compact plant. Blooms are about an inch, the plant about 3-4 inches.  It  likes a wood mount, high light, high humidity and water while growing and less when mature. Used in breeding for it's shape, and colors, crossed with others for petal substance. Warm to Intermediate. Winter blooming.

·         Common Name Blood Red Broughtonia

·         Flower Size 1" to Rarely 2" [2 to 4 cm]

Bulbophyllum acutebracteatum

Found in Liberia, Siera Leone, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gulf of Guinea Islands and Zaire in lowland forests at elevations up to 1000 meters as a miniature to small sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte. Its  with ovoid to ellipsoid, 4 to 6 angled pseudobulbs carrying 2 apical, elliptic to lanceolate, obtuse, emarginate, thick, leathery leaves.  It  blooms in the summer and fall on a 2 to 6" [5 to 15 cm] long, few to many flowered inflorescnece that has a 4 angled rachis and the flowers are held on opposite concave sides.  It is a long with bright orange flowers. Intermediate growing. August - September blooming.

·         Common Name The Acute Bracted Bulbophyllum

·         Flower Size 1/4" [.8 cm]

Bulbophyllum falcatum type

Species from Madagascar.Comes from central to west Africa in lowland and submontane forests where it is a hot growing, bifoliate epiphyte or occasional lithophyte at altitudes below 1800 meters Mini flowers on the side of a pea pod, needs to be magnified to truly enjoy, blooms in winter till spring on a 6 1/4" [to 16 cm] long, spicate inflorescence with a very flattened, strongly undulate, rachis with short-stalked flowers horizontally aligned on either side. Its  with broadly to narrowly ovoid, 2 to 4 angled pseudobulbs carrying 2 apical, lanceolate or linear leaves. Warm growing. Summer blooming.

·         Common Name Sickle-Shaped Leaf Bulbophyllum

·         Flower Size up to 1/2" [up to [1.2 cm]

Bulbophyllum lasiochilum

A miniature sized, Indian, Burman, Thai and Malaysian species with cylindro-ovate psuedobulbs with a single, apical, oblong-obovate leaf. It blooms in the fall with solitary flowers, or a few in umbels on shorter, slender inflorescence that arises from a mature psuedobulb and has the fragrant flower scented of strawberrys held just below or above the leaves. Yellow flower with neat red spotting on the lateral sepals, held nicely above the leaves.  This species is maintained best in a wood basket with a free draining medium, given partial shade and air movement, and grown in hot temperatures with frequent water and fertilizer.

·         Common Name The Shaggy Lipped Bulbophyllum

·         Flower Size 1/2" x 1 1/4" [1.2 cm x 3.1 cm]

Bulbophyllum lepidum

Species from South East Asia.Miniature red spotted flowers, arranged like petals in wonderful display (also known as cirrhopetalum flabellovernis). Warm growing. Spring and Summer blooming.

Bulbophyllum medusae

Wonderful in a hanging basket.Warm growing. Fall and Winter blooming. Species from South East Asia

Looks like fireworks at the 4th of July. Scented flower, small sized, warm to hot grower from Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Lesser Sunda Islands andSumatra. It is found in lowland forests at elevations of sealevel to 400 meters on trunks and main branches of trees with pseudobulbs carrying a single, apical leaf.  It blooms in the fall and winter on a to 8" [20 cm] long, erect, bracteate inflorescence arising from a newly forming psuedobulb, with an umbellate, fragrant albeit bad, flowers held just beyond leaf height. This species grows well in baskets or pots with hot temperatures, partial shade, regular water and fertilizer and good air circulation.

·         Common Name Medusa's Bulbophyllum [Mythological Gorgon with a head of snakes]

·         Flower Size 6" Long [15 cm]

Bulbophyllum saurocephalum

Common Name The Lizard's Head Bulbophyllum

Flower Size .2" [4.5 to 5mm]

This is a small sized, warm growing, Philippine species found at elevations around 1000 meters. It  has 3/4" [2 cm] between each, 4 to 5 angled, ovoid pseduobubls enveloped by 2 brown, membraneous sheaths and carrying a single, apical linear, leaf. It blooms in the spring on a basal, stout, erect to arcuate, 2 t o3.4" [5 to 8.5 cm] long, pubescent, dull red inflorescence with many [40] succesively opening, odorless flowers that barely appear out of the swollen rachis, arranged in a helix. The individual flowers are very small and have a very light mushroom scent. This species needs to be mounted on tree fern to display the inflorescence .Intermediate growing. June blooming.