75 Trendy Plants for 2021 in the Philippines (Part 2)

Plantdemic and the plant craze among plantiquarians, plantitos, plantitas, halamoms, batang halaman will extend from 2021 and early part of 2022.

Some plant farm owners and industry experts believes that there will be some price adjustments for some of the well loved plants that people fancy for most part of 2020.

75 Trendy Plants for 2021

Cymbidium Hybrids

69.) Orchids – Dendrobium hybrids, Vanda hybrids, Cattleya hybrids and allies,Oncidium ( dancing ladies or dancing dolls) hybrids, Cymbidium hybrids, Phalenopsis hybrids, Catasetum hybrids, Vanilla orchid, and native orchid species will still be popular among backyard hobbyists, amateur collector and hospitality industry will need a lot of these flowering plants.

Flowering orchids like Dendrobium hybids, Phalenopsis hybrids, Mokara, Cymbidium hybrids are in much demand as their bloom can last between two weeks to at least a month (with proper care and maintenance).

Vanilla orchid at Sidcor Centris Sunday Market in Quezon City

Growing orchids is still popular hobby and there are several FB group with tens of thousand of member, forum sites and other social media sites which caters to the proliferation of this hobby and how to grow these plants. There are a lot of misconception, myths and fantasy on orchids that there are people who still regard growing them as therapeutic, business, lucky, challenge or just for aesthetic purposes.

Aerides quinquivulnera species

Native orchids are also popular. However, there are some issues that one must always take into consideration. Getting your native orchids in the wild poses threat to the survival of many of these plants. Be sure that the orchids are from reputable orchid dealer, farm or had been cultivated for a long time by the grower.

Old cultivar varieties like Dendrobium Jacquelyn Thomas which was developed way back in the 1970’s, Dendrobium University of Hawaii, Dendrobium Caesar, Dendrobium bigibbum hybrids are slowly making a come back in the local market. These old hybrid cultivar varieties are quite hardy in the long rainy climate and their flowers are long lasting.

Vanda merrillii ( photo courtesy of Mr. Lebon Ong and Mr. Ramon Calado)

Some native orchids will not survive the hot climatic conditions of the lowlands, While there are some endangered orchids still traded online. Try to read books, magazines, literature and online sites which can give accurate information.

Native orchids and fern allies

For long time collectors and hobbyists would refer any jungle collected plants or orchids as Gubatum/ Gubatum Harbatum/ Hablotii.

There is also a surge in people interested in native orchid species, Aerides quinquivulnera, Dendrobium anosmum, Dendrobium aphyllum, Vanda sanderiana, Vanda lamellata, jewel orchid, terrestrial orchid.

Proof to the pudding is that some well known and established orchid farms located in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna,Davao,Cebu, Quezon and Cagayan de Oro are expanding.

What to look for ? miniature orchids, jewel orchids, ground orchids, old cultivar, crosses, varieties and new orchid hybrids are in trend.

Do not forget to visit this blog for more plants in the list ! Happy New Year 2021.

Sources, Reference, Bibliographies:

Hansen Eric, Orchid Fever: A Horticultural Tale of Love, Lust, and Lunacy Paperback – Illustrated, February 27, 2001

Personal Interview among plant center owners, Orchid and Plant Lovers of the Philippines FB, Mindanao Avenue Garden Center, Fairview Neopolitan Garden Center, Cartimar Garden Center, White Plains, Bulacan Garden, Arid and Aroid’s Farm, Quezon City Memorial Circle, Tabang -Guiguinto Plant growers, GreenScapes Garden Center– Novaliches, Farmer’s Garden Center -Cubao, Sidcor -Eaton Centris Sunday Market, Rona’s Garden.

For additional information of the 75 Trendy Plants in the Philippines for 2021 (part 1) please click the hyperlink.

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Blooms of Vanda Lamellata in our Backyard

Vanda lamellata is one of the most common native vandas and orchid in the country. It used to be commonly cultivated in many homes in northern parts of Metro Manila and in the provinces about 10 or 20 years ago.

Vanda lamellata, Dendrobium crumenatum ( dove / pigeon orchid), Cymbidium finlaysonianum, Aerides quinquevulnera , Phalaenopsis X Intermedia , Dendrobium anosmum and Dendrobium aphyllum (sanggumay, salome, lesser sanggumay, fairy sanggumay, dainty sanggumay , latigo) are just some of the native orchids which are regularly collected by native Aetas in the foothills of Sierra Madre range.

Some are found growing semi-naturalized in coconut plantations, acacia and fruit trees like macopa, mango trees, lansones, jack fruit among others.

While Vanda lamellata also found growing on limestone cliff, mangroves and lowland trees.

Vanda Lamellata

Vanda lamellata orchid is sometimes called mango orchid, since it is often seen growing in old mango trees, tamarid and even in large acacia trees.

Despite having small flowers, a grower is compensated for having a wonderful citrus smell. This is commonly peddled by ambulant vendors in many parts of Metro Manila and in surrounding provinces by inserting large Vanda or Mokara flowers.

They would trick some unsuspecting buyer believing that the Vanda is of hybrid origin and thus commanding higher prices.

Vanda lamellata attached to a Christmas palm by the author

This orchid species is found over a wide range of habitat from southern Ryukyus islands, Taiwan, Orchid island , Batanes, Marianas, Philippines and even in Borneo. The orchid thrives in high lighted areas or in full sun near the sea on cliffs or coastal beach forests on branches and tree trunks occuring at elevations of sea level to 300 meters.

There are different types or flower forms of these wonderful Vanda species. Among the highly collected ones are Vanda lamellata variety debutante, Vanda lamellata var. boxallii ( which is also found in Taiwan and Ryukus islands of Japan) Vanda lamellata var. calayana Valmayor & D.Tiu 1983, found in Babuyan and Calayan group of islands. Vanda lamellata var remediosae Ames & Quis. 1933 originally found in Southern parts of the country like Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan. Vanda lamellata variety flava is yellowish type, This type is highly coveted among orchid collectors since it is rare in cultivation.

There are different range of color forms and markings of Vanda lamellata.

Sources, References and Bibliographies:

The Complete Writings on Philippine Orchids Quisumbing

Orchidiana Philipiniana Vol 1 Valmayor 1984

The Orchids of the Philippines Cootes

Philippine Orchids by Reg S. Davis and Mona Liza Steiner, Vanda lamellata pages 225 to 227

Top 12 Pretty Orchids Spotted at Flora Filipina 2019

Flora Filipina International Exposition 2019 is a show with hundreds of native orchids, orchids from other countries and orchid hybrids.

12 Pretty and Award Winning Orchids Spotted at the Show

Here are some of the award winning orchids and the pretty ones, They were exhibited at the Hardin ng mga Bulaklak ( Flower Garden) within Quezon Memorial Circle facing East Avenue entrance.

1.) Best Fragrant Orchid – Dendrobium anosmum cv Touch of Class – grown and exhibited by Mr. Glanz Ang of Cagayan De Oro.

2. ) Best Paphiopedilum – Paphiopedilum haynaldianum -grown and exhibited by Mr. Godofredo “Fred” Salud. The orchid species also won Best in Show; Best Other Genera (Sympodial) ; Best Paphiopedilum Alliance; Best Philippine Orchid Species.

Cattlianthe  Candy Ball ” Ruby Red”

3.) Best Cattleya – Cattlianthe Candy Ball ” Ruby Red”  grown and exhibited by Mr. Jaime Chua of Cebu. ( photo courtesy of Mr. Jaime Chua)

4.) Best Cultured Plant– Grammatophyllum multiflorum variety citrinum grown and exhibited Mrs. Evangeline “Vangie” Go – There are also some orchid species at the commercial bazaar area.

Best Vanda Orchid

5.)  Best Vanda Orchid – Vanda lamellata x Vanda Tienchai,exhibitor: FIDI

6.) Best Phalaenopsis Orchid –Doritaenopsis Ching Hua Spring x Golden Poeker by Blooms and Greens exhibited by Dra. Olivia Sanchez

7.) Vanda lamellata cultivar variety debutante– This was spotted in one of the exhibit booth. The variety had bigger flowers and can be use for breeding hybrids.

8.) Grammatophyllum measuresianum – This is one of our native orchid species blooming during this time of the year. The orchid species was described in 1889.

9.) Best Foreign Species – Dendrobium capituliforum is an orchid species found in New Guinea these occur in coastal areas and in some parts of Solomon Islands.

10 .) Phalaenopsis hieroglyphica– This orchid species was spotted in one of the commercial stall area. A rich orchid collector reportedly bought almost the entire stock.  Another plant with flowers had been spotted within the exhibit area and won a blue ribbon.

11.) Vanda Kultana Fragrance X Vanda luzonica – This orchid hybrid won second prize. This is more free flowering in the lowlands compared its parents.

12.) Ascocentrum aurantiacum subspecies philippinense– This was recently reclassified under genus Vanda. This is a lovely small flowering orchid species with bright yellow or orange flowers.

The show is until March 5, 2019 and covered three exhibition sites, Hardin ng mga Bulaklak ( HB Garden / Flower Garden), Runnex Elevated Garden ( Bonsai and Natural Stone exhibit ) and Walkway Area facing East Avenue ( Bougainvillea and Commercial stalls)

There is a minimal entrance fees of Php 50 for the general public and Php 30 for students, senior citizens and people with disabilities ( with Id’s)

 

 

 

 

 

3rd Sanggumay Festival

The 3rd Sanggumay Festival was held at the activity center 888 Chinatown Premier Mall, Bacolod City from April 14-24, 2018.

The event was hosted by Negros Occidental Orchid Society. The orchid feature is the Dendrobium anosmum or sanggumay.

photo courtesy of Dr. John Clifton Martyr

Blooming Sanggumay Orchids in Cebu

Blooming sanggumay orchids were the feast of the day when Mr. Jaime Chua ( a landscaper and architect ) from Mawmawan Farm in Cebu posted at his FB group the spectacular blooms of his Dendrobium anosmum or locally called sanggumay.

sanggumay orchids naturalized on a living tree within the property

A lot of the sanggumay orchids were over 1 to 3 meters long, Hence a lot of them were attached to the trunks and stems of the trees .

light purple and violet sanggumays

Some of his sanggumays were collected within Cebu province, while some are from Luzon .

Although sanggumays bloom only once a year, the spectacular number of blooms and their over powering fragrance.

Good air circulation is also vital for growing long canes or pseudobulbs.

 hundreds of pale purple flowers cascade on the tree trunk

One can admire the sanggumays growing at the living trees.

Photo credit: Mr. Jaime Chua