Summer Blooms of Dendrobium aphyllum 2021

Summer season or dry season in western part of the country was officially declared by the weather bureau. It is when day time temperature would reach between 33 to 36 degrees Celsius or more.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a statement on Friday March 26, 2021 that the “gradual shift of wind direction from northeasterly to easterly over most parts of the country” signified the end of the northeast monsoon.

Dendrobium aphyllum aka fairy, dainty, lesser sanggumay grown on a palm for almost 7 years

Summer Blooms of Dendrobium aphyllum

Dendrobium aphyllum locally known as dainty sanggumay, fairy sanggumay, lesser sanggumay, sanggumay, salome, latigo among others blooming season. It was incorrectly called Dendrobium pierardii or Dendrobium cucullatum for a long time by orchid hobbyists.

This is one of the most common Dendrobium orchid species that is found in many parts of the country. The orchid species can be naturalize in fruits trees like duhat, mango, lansones, macopa, jackfruit, guava, coconut and Manila palms.

Since it rained a few times during its rest period from mid-November 2020 to early part of February 2021. Only a handful of inflorescence were form.

This Dendrobium aphyllum specimen orchid was given to the author last March 1, 2014 at an eyeball of Pinoy Coke Fanatics.

This orchid species is quite hardy and can survive lowland hot and humid condition. This orchid species can be found growing up to about 1,800 meters altitude. The blooming season is during the onset of the dry season in western part of the country up to late May or early June in some parts of the country.

Water and Fertilization

We would alternate slow release fertilizer sewn unto a small cloth, Usually between 20 to 50 pieces depending on size of the orchid plant. The larger the specimen plant, the more slow release fertilizer are included. We normally use 30N-30P-30K then alternately use water soluble fertilizers 10N-30P-30K at weakly weekly solution 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended dosage.

Aside from application of small amount of calcium, magnesium and trace elements at least twice a month during the growing season. We start putting small pack of slow release fertilizer 1 to 2 weeks after the orchid plant had bloomed. This process will be repeated at least two to three time during the growing period of Dendrobium aphyllum.

During the transition from wet (rainy season ) and dry ( summer season) which is usually around middle of September. We would change the fertilizer solution from 30N-30P-30K to 10N-30P-30K, to help prepare the orchid for the blooming season. The slow release fertilizer can last up to 3 months in which watering and feeding the orchid is much reduce.

Fertilization and watering should be minimized or reduce in the hemisphere which also starts the autumn or winter season in the northern hemisphere.

With proper care and applying fertilization techniques, Once can be assured that this orchid species can be a garden centerpiece.

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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

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 

First Sanggumay Festival Opens in Bacolod City

888 Chinatown Square, Bacolod City –Philippines

“Sanggumay“, scientifically called Dendrobium anosmum  a fragrant native Philippine orchid, is being celebrated in the First Sanggumay Festival presently ongoing at the 888 Chinatown Square in Bacolod City.

L-R: NOOS president Dr John Clifton Martyr, Mr Rex Ramos, Dr Marilyn Marañon, NOOS VP Ms. Tina Magbojos

sanggumay orchids in bloom

This orchid species blooms during this time of the year and brings with it memories of warm summers in the province. Spectacular displays of long canes holding dozens of large fragrant blooms ranging from white , pink , purple with different varieties . This is also one of the most common and cultivated native orchid species in the country.

ribbon cutting ceremony

The festival opened with ribbon cutting ceremonies led by Mr. Rex Ramos, manager of the 888 Chinatown Square, and Dr. John Clifton Martyr, president of the Negros Occidental Orchid Society (NOOS).

Welcome remarks: Gist of message.”  We need to bring back our heritage orchids, the orchids and plants we grew up with, we need to plant more trees to help counteract climate change, and to take good care of God-given nature/environment for our enjoyment and for our children’s future” .

Bacolod Garden Club Prexy Carissa Ma-alat (2nd from L) and Garden Club members gracing the opening.

 

Special guests included Dr. Marilyn Marañon, first lady of the province of Negros Occidental and Miss Carrie Ma-alat, president of the Bacolod Garden Club and other garden club members.

commercial stalls selling different kinds of plants, orchids , fruit bearing trees

Blessing of exhibits was done by Reverend Father Binay Marwan. The central exhibit was a understated but elegant arrangement up of Sanggumays in varying shades of purple and a lone white form, blooming slipper orchids and various ferns and ornamental plants . Eleven NOOS members participated as commercial exhibitors selling their collection of various foliage and flowering plants. 

 

The show is conceptualized and organized by the Negros Occidental Orchid Society. The  orchid  festival show is open the public during mall hours and there is no entrance fees and will continue until April 9, 2016.