Bulbophyllum treschii ‘Octopussy’

[DrLeslieEe]

I saw these flowers at the Ecuador WOC and had to have one (or 3). Finally bloomed one after killing 3 (not my fault I swear). It is so spectacular a flower and to think that nature created one to grace this world is simply astounding. Anyways I will let the pictures take your breath away.

 

[troy]

Somebody told me this one grows at a higher elevation, how long have you had it? Your mini orchid forest looks awesome!!

 

[DrLeslieEe]

Thanks Troy. I have has it in the cool tank since Feb of last year and it is the second bloom, attempted thrice (one blasted). You can see the plant is next to the freezer part of the wine fridge where it will be iced over at night. It is def a cool-cold grower!

 

[monocotman]

wow that is truly amazing!
David

 

[Don I]

I think the name fits, neat.
Don

 

[Linus_Cello]

Impressive. Can you tell us more about your wine fridge culture?

 

[DrLeslieEe]

Thanks all.
This cool tank is a wine cooler fridge conversion, using a reptile hygrotherm to control the min/max temp. I set it at night to 13C and days at 23C. Works for all my cool growing minis.

 

[Rockbend]

Interesting: these grow easily in Florida where it doesn't get below 78F for 6 months.

 

[Guldal]

I find the flower per se more 'interesting' than actually beautifull. But seen in the context of your cool tank, it's really a stunner! Beautifull display!

 

[BrucherT]

Pure wow. Your flower, your grow, your setup. Pretty sure this is altogether beyond my ken.

 

[DrLeslieEe]

Thanks for comments.

The tank did take a lot of tweaking. Almost a full month of monitoring before plants were added.

I have a new intermediate tank in the making. Still only a month old and needs a lot more work on it.

 

[Ozpaph]

striking flower. stunning fridge

 

[DrLeslieEe]

So another new treschii came into bloom after establishing about 6 months at the top of this warm terrarium (very high light of 2500 fc!).

I'm surprised it grows warm as well as in the cool tank (where Octopuses is). I'll call this one Squiggy.

 

[cnycharles]

Highly unusual

 

[Djthomp28]

These are spectacular!

 

[SouthPark]

Amazing plant!!!!!!! Just don't open the door DLE. It could be the last thing you ever do.

 

[DrLeslieEe]

Amazing plant!!!!!!! Just don't open the door DLE. It could be the last thing you ever do.

They look like something from the deep sea that can menace civilized society lol.

 

[monocotman]

Dr Leslie,
Is the new setup based on a herpatology cabinet? I have been looking at those offered by Exo-Terra and it looks very similar to them.
They appear to have most things that you would need for an indoor orchidarium.
we are planning to move house this year so it will have to wait but I am very interested in setting one of these up.
can you offer any tips?
David

 

[SouthPark]

I like DLE's one more! More realistic

 

[DrLeslieEe]

Dr Leslie,
Is the new setup based on a herpatology cabinet? I have been looking at those offered by Exo-Terra and it looks very similar to them.
They appear to have most things that you would need for an indoor orchidarium.
we are planning to move house this year so it will have to wait but I am very interested in setting one of these up.
can you offer any tips?
David

Yes indeed it is an ExoTerra 36H x 36L x 18W inches!

You will need wood pieces (cork is best) for landscape layout with height and base (mine took about 5 major pieces plus 4 smaller pieces), humidifier and a mist king system.

Plan the wood landscape with the store so it fits.

Other than that, design the tank as you please!