Color Forms and Varieties of Blooming Sanggumay Orchid

Sanggumay season once again and as the dry season starts in almost all the western part of the country .

This is an annual event that every orchid hobbyists, backyard growers and naturalist would anticipate . Normally, it is observed that there is plenty of blooms ( long dry season ) fewer bloom ( short dry season) .

Sanggumay is an orchid species which is very popular and is grown in wide range of climatic types across the country. The northern types bloom usually earlier compared to the ones that is found in Southern Luzon , Bicol region and Visayas region.

Dendrobium anosmum variety dearei / alba 

Sanggumay is the usual local name of Dendrobium anosmum and its relatives , although there could be as much as a dozen known local names for this orchid.

“ Sangumay ” , meaning ” Nakaka-gugumay ” ( Dendrobium anosmum ) very strong odor , smell from a distance . In English offensive odor – page 44 ,Quisumbing’s Philippine Orchids , Volume 1 ( Eugenio Lopez Foundation ) 1981 .

personal photo from the author

There was an orchid stall selling some Dendrobium anosmum variety  huttonii . which caused some elation among orchid growers and enthusiasts . This type of orchid variety is quite rare in cultivation . The price of this orchid variety raised some eyebrows among seasoned orchid growers and even horticulturists.  The orchid  being sold is at Php 3,000 per cane or approximately $ 60.00 with some pale pink looking flowers!

jemf photography

I saw my photographer /FB friend Mr. Jonel Cresfo last March 5 sunday while at the orchid show attending a flower arrangement demonstration and we decided to explore the possibility of taking some clear shots of the so-called  variety ” huttonii ” and tried some expert eyes and comparing notes from other seasoned orchid growers , orchid books, etc. Books that were published showing the correct description of the varieties and to some extend showing photos to some of our foreign counterparts.

close-up view of the flowers ( photo courtesy:  Mr. Jonel Cresfo) 

We decided to explore the possibilities of some collaboration  and tie-up for taking some photos.

personal photo of the author

Here is the technical description on a book that was published in 1981 which the author was able to buy at least a decade ago when the Lopez Museum held their clearance sale . Aside from the reference , the author also consulted Dendrobium anosmum expert from all over the world.

Page 322 and 323 of Quisumbing’s Philippine Orchids volume 1 states:

Perigonio candido , labelli disco ac ungue purpureis.

A very striking novelty . The flowers are clear white . The disc of the lip bear two beautiful purplish blotches , and its base is of the same color . For this beautiful thing we have to thank Messrs. Veitch , who obtained it through their late excellent collector , Mr. Hutton , from Malayan Archipelago.

In habit and general features similar to the species . The stems are comparatively shorter and more slender . The flowers are beautiful ,showy slightly fragrant , and about 8.5 cm across . They resemble those of the former variety in being pure white throughout but have the throat of the labellum dark purple .

Luzon , Manila , Mrs. Remedios C. Gonzales’s gardens , Phil. Nat. Herb. 103 Quisumbing , March 10, 1934. The plant was originally collected by orchid peddlers among the typical plants of Densrobium anosmum , from the mountains of Rizal Province, Luzon .

This , like the former variety , is very rare and beautiful , having been seen by the author in Manila gardens but once during his many years of study of orchids . It is characterized by having white flowers with the throat of the labellum dark purple. This particular variety has also been reported from the Malay Archipelago.

Online Article References:

Kew Garden : 57076http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-57076

Orchid Talk Forum : https://www.orchidsforum.com/threads/dendrobium-anosmum-var-huttonii.10190/

https://www.orchidsforum.com/threads/dendrobium-anosmum-var-huttonii.17980/

Orchid Species : http://www.orchidspecies.com/denanosmum.htm

Global Biodiversity Information Facility : http://www.gbif.org/species/5316957

Photos are taken by the author and Mr. Jonel Cresfo

Note : Since this was spotted at the last orchid show , It is up to the viewers of this site to comment if they feel that this is the TRUE type of Dendrobium anosmum variety ” huttonii” or just purely a sales gimmick to captivate one’s imagination and lust for profit !

 

 

 

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Flower Exhibit at the 71st Philippine Orchid Show

Philippine Orchid Society together with its partner organizations mounted a highly successful opening today at the Hardin ng mga Bulaklak ( Flower Garden ) at the Quezon Memorial Circle. This year’s theme : Philippine Orchids for Beauty , Unity and Prosperity ” .

registration area

Among the distinguished guests of honor includes Ms. Camille Villar , Ambassador Preciosa Soliven , Mrs. Maria Teresa Cancio-Suplico , Presidential Legislative Liaison Office ( PLLO) ASEC Romulo Arugay , Department of Agriculture , Quezon City officials and their representatives , Bureau of Plant  Industry , presidents of other plant societies and affiliate organizations .

Quezon City band

The opening started past 4:00pm with the arrival of the special guest of honors and traditional ribbon cutting ceremony , these also included a short tour of the landscape exhibit and announcement of the winners .

L-R Kelvin Niel Manubay , Presidential Legislative Liaison Office ( PLLO) ASEC Romulo Arugay,  Ms. Evangeline “Vangie” Go ( President POS) Mrs. Preciosa Soliven and Camile Villar 

Allied Botanical Corporation landscape exhibit

Allied Botanical Corporation landscape exhibit booth seems to be a smaller version of the last HortiKultura 2017 show.

VS Orchids and Ornamental Plant– This is a landscape showcasing mostly bougainvillea by the group of Mrs. Rolita ” Baby ” V. Spowart.

Ms. Brenda exhibit booth – the landscape exhibit combines old wooden windows and ornamental plants with interesting array of Phalaenopsis hybrids , strap leaf vandas, oncidiums and native sanggumays.

Unigreen Vertical garden exhibit -showcases different kinds of indoor and foliage plants . Indoor plants are very popular and they have different outlets in malls which sells indoor plant. This is one of the few companies based in the Philippines which exports indoor plants to Taiwan and other countries.

Uni-Green Inc. group of Companies- Contact Person : Mr. Joey L. Mendoza

Head Office : Address 2229 Narra street , United Hills Subdivision , Parañaque , Manila 

Telephone :+63-2( 823-2909) Fax:+62-2-776-1305

Mr. Manuel and Susan Lee orchid landscape exhibit showcases different kind of orange cattleya hybrids, strap leaf vandas and new varieties of orchid hybrids from Taiwan and Thailand.

Mr. Manuel and Susan Lee landscape exhibit also won first place in orchid landscape exhibit

a late afternoon buffet meal was served after the announcement of winners 

Special Partners of the show includes Del Monte , Philippines , Allied Botanical Corporation , Ramgo , Goodwill Bookstore and Villar Foundation.

Tomorrow , the orchid exhibition area will be open to the general public and there is a minimal entrance fees of Php 30 and Php 20 for senior citizens and students with valid Id’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dendrobium aphyllum in our backyard blooming after a freak weather

Quezon City-Philippines

This is part of our small garden where i have mounted some of the Dendrobium aphyllum that i have collected in many parts of the country .

It is almost the beginning of the dry period . The last major rains we got was several weeks ago when Typhoon Koppu ( Bagyong Lando ) gave at least 2 to 3 days of rains.

Dendrobium aphyllum ( Marikina clone )

My last application of slow release fertilizer was on the middle part of September and I think most of them will eventually release all their nutrients by late November . I started  to water less and apply 10N-30P-30K water soluble fertilizer ( diluted into 1/4 of the recommended strength ) . This is to help strengthened the pseudo bulbs ( canes) . Planning to do this on bi-weekly basis until the end of November . Just enough to aid the maturing canes.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)  according to their weather bulletin that Northwest Monsoon ( Amihan )  had  begun early October and will last until early February 2016. It had made a weather advisory dated October PAG-ASA climate advisories that a strong El Niño.

Website: https://web.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/

I got a mix emotion with regards to the advisory by the weather bureau . It means that there will be shorter canes compared last year but much earlier and maybe more blooms for these orchid species by 2016.

Dendrobium aphyllum with Phalaenopsis X Intermedia

Some of the Dendrobium aphyllum canes are slowly maturing , their upper leaves are slowly turning into yellow and are falling off the pseudobulb. A lot of the older canes are between 100cm to 150cm long . The other much larger specimen failed  to grow more than 150cm  which indicate that we got lesser rainfall and humidity compared to last year.

Dendrobium aphyllum ( Laguna and Quezon  province)

Another problem was the insect infestation ( probably caterpillars of butterflies or moths ) which ate the youngest leaves and pseudo-bulbs .  Then a mild fungal infection on young leaves, I was away for several days and i could not do anything with the infestation.  Just applied a mild fungal mixture and sprayed them on the orchids when i came back .  We also tried to withhold watering for several days.

Phalaenopsis X Intermedia

Some of our neighbors are probably inspired or amazed by the number of orchids attached to the palms that some of them are asking our growing techniques . I think there is no such secret for growing these orchid very luxuriantly . We just observed proper fertilization techniques and ideal growing conditions for these lovely orchid species.

Phalaenopsis X Intermedia

Phalaenopsis X Intermedia started to bloom. We have mounted some of them in Macarthur palm .

Ethno-Botanical Importance:

According to some old folks ( Bicol and Quezon ) the orchid flowers of Phalaenopsis X Intermedia are gathered preferably late afternoon before dusk around 5:00pm ( between 7 to 8 flowers) soak them in 1 glass of drinking water for the entire night  so that the potency of flowers will be absorbed by the water and drinking them to heal fatigue or for body ache the following day , just before eating anything .

Another herb specialist ( herbalista- from Samar ) told me that they also used some of the flowers to ward-off evil spirits which lingers in one abode. He even tried to encourage people to grow more of this orchid . I never tried to ask them on the procedure but it seems that they preferred live orchids .

 Mama Nene’s Garden  shared her experience with regards to the potency of the flowers which help her felt relief and rejuvenated.

Link to previous post: Phalaenopsis x intermedia in our backyard

Dendrobium aphyllum with inflorescence

The photo above was fairy sanggumay with some inflorescence  despite that there are still leaves intact. i was suspecting that it must be a freak weather pattern that induced this orchid to bloom without shedding their leaves.

This is one of the most commonly traded orchid species during garden shows, sunday market and favorite among local landscapers and backyard orchid hobbyists .

They are commonly called sanggumays, fairy sanggumay, dainty sanggumay , salome among others.

Here are some of the previous article links that i wrote about Dendrobium aphyllum. 

Dendrobium cucullatum flowering in our garden

Fairy sanggumay blooming in our garden

Fairy sanggumays flowering in the city