Insect attack on Orchids - The Treatment!

Why does orchids die?.. after dsecting a pot of spathoglottis, done by S_anuar from http://oapm.proboards52.com/index.cgi? revelas that the mealy bus deep insde the pot is causing the plant dying.

The treatment?

Well he is applying neem oil bought at http://bgreenfertilizer.googlepages.com/tipmenanamorkiddimalaysia for the treatment.

The results?

Need to wait few weeks to be known

White traces on the roots




White traces found on the pot


Mealybugs - the white bugs!

Bulbophyllum Meduse - The Plant

Well, here are some photo on bulbophyllum meduse plant, See the psudobulb, What is the best media to growthis bulbophllum?

Well, some people is using perlite mix, (see this http://www.slippertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5435) and some will tied it on a tree bark. Mine?,... hemm still diffcult to maintain the growth on a piece of wood bark. Perhaps to try on perlite and some mix of paddy husks.



Picture courtesy of khairimd.
http://oapm.proboards52.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=photos&thread=1204009005&page=1

Spathoglottis

Another varietes of Spathoglottis orchids , where the colour is yellow and another is a mixed colours ont he same petal.

Spathoglottis plicata

It just a Saturday evening, and while visiting to Taman Warisan Pertanian at Putra Jaya, manage to get some pictures of spathoglottis, used as decoration.

Spathoglottis plicata - The flower

Spathoglottis plicata - the plant

Spathoglottis plicata alba

Bulbophyllum lobii

Bulbophyllum lobii is a lowland orchids, and I had personally found this orchids on top of tree near a riverbank in Genting Highlands, where the recorded altitude is about 700 meters from sea level. The flower si about 3-7 cm wide which has a spicy scent, and with variation of clours, shape and markings.

The pseudo bulb to leave is about 25 cm, where the color of the leaves is light green

Aerides odorata

Aerides odorata is widely found in Malaysia and I had once found it near a famous waterfall area in Pahang, a state in Malaysia, east to Kuala LUmpur. Luckily enough the plant is blooming with flowers where it give scents of similar to lime honey.

It grows as epiphyte and can be found up to 500 meter altitude. the plant normally grow up to 30 cm and it flowers normally between Oct to Nov.


Aerides Photo courtesy of Nik Fahmi and his Vortex Orchid Page.

Arudina Graminifolia - known locally as orkid buluh

Arudina Graminifolia lowland orchids is widely found in Malaysia. It was found up to 1500 meters altitude, where along the road leading to Cameron Highlands, this can be asily found along the road, espically from Simpang Pulai to Cameron Highlands. Even, along the PLUS North South Expressway, near Tapah, this spceices can be found along side the road.

Orchids found in highland, will have bigger flower compared to the lowland orchids, thus, dont be suprised if the flowers found in Cameron Highlands is bigger compare found at Tapah.

The plant can grow up to 200 cm, and enjoy full sunlight, thus making it a good garden plant since it is free flowering.
Photo from http://www.aquagemorchids.com/aquagemorchids/pic/17.jpg

Orchids in wild - Langkawi Island

A walk along the Pantai Cenang of Langkawi Island, up north of Malaysia, reveals some orchids, which barely survive along the sea side, merely a few meters away from the sea level.

2 species of bulbophylum were found:


Yet another small bulbophylum found togther:

Orchids in Langkawi - On Top of Mountain

My trip to Langkawi Island, North of Malaysia, sometimes in December 2006, allows me to explore the orchids on the island. On top of Gunung Mat Cincang, where it accesible using the cable car, few species of orchids were found at the height of almost 708 meters.

Among of the species found are:

Bulbophyllum meduse

Bulbophyllum meduse is another lowland orchids that can be found in Malaysia. Normally found along the riverbanks on tree branches, where more sunlight is available.

Usually flowers several times a year and slightly bigger than bulbophyllum vaginatum.

Physically, the plant is about 20 cm from bulb to leave, where the bulb is slightly brownish in colour and with sharp edges, unlike vaginatum where the bulb edges is more smooth.
Photo by khairimd from http://oapm.proboards52.com/index.cgi?board=orchids&action=display&thread=1197862595&page=3

Bulbophylum vaginatum

Bulbophylum vaginatum is a lowland orchids and is widely found in Malaysia. Small flowers but when a colony of it blooms, it just spectacular to view it. Normally the flowering sessions is 2 to 3 times a year and last for 2-4 days, without giving any visible scent.

Some details of the plant:
Length from bulb to leave is about 12 cm. Normally with hard leaves textures. Single bulb normally will have single leave.
Photo by khairimd fromhttp://oapm.proboards52.com/index.cgi?board=orchids&action=display&thread=1197862595&page=3

Orchids - Spathoglottis plicata

Spathoglottis plicata is a commonly found species in Malaysia, infact along the PLUS North South Expressway near the Menora Tunnel, this species can be found growing on the rocks boulders, where it is being exposed by 100 % sunlight.

The violet colour allows the plant to be seen from quite a distance. And the leaves is quite big, normally measured about 180 cm from the bulb.

The ability for self pollinated, allows the plant to be easily propagated. A clump of the is orchids, planted along fences, shall be good for making decorations around the garden.

An alba version is mostly sought by collectors. plicata alba!...

Image from http://mgonline.com/spathoglottisplicata01.jpg

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/orchid/images/gall_spathoglottis.jpg

Cymbidium finlaysonianum

Since the species is quite abundant in Malaysia, finding it is not difficult, in fact, when driving along Malaysian main road, just keep your eyes wide open, you may stumble with this species.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum

Distributed in Malaysia and quite abundant in lowland and found up to 1200 meters altitude. Normally found in huge masses with hard leathery leaves and pendulous inflorescences that may be up to 90 cm long.

Like light shade and normaly flowers all year long except from Dec to Feb.