Dendrobium amboinensis

[MorandiWine]

Luckily I was able to get some pics this year. Noticed the buds two days ago and having to leave for an event this weekend, I was hoping that it would open before leaving this afternoon. Sure enough, it was open this AM! If you dont know about this species, the flower literally lasts for a handful of hours. Right after these pictures were taken, I selfed two of the four flowers and pulled the extra pollen to play with some other species.

Such a cool species, wish it lasted longer. A very peculiar scent of moldy lemons. Lol

The last picture was taken three hours after the others were taken.

Tyler

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

Wow, that is too cool! I love the dark edge to the lip too.

 

[GuRu]

Wow, Tyler, these flowers are extravagant ones ! The only disadvantage seem to be the scent and more than short lasting flowers. To be honest when I saw the flowers at the first glance ... I didn't think of Dendrobium .... but the bulbs say clearly Dendrobium and the second glance says it too. If I get you right .... it flowers also only once per year for three hours ?

 

[MorandiWine]

Wow, Tyler, these flowers are extravagant ones ! The only disadvantage seem to be the scent and more than short lasting flowers. To be honest when I saw the flowers at the first glance ... I didn't think of Dendrobium .... but the bulbs say clearly Dendrobium and the second glance says it too. If I get you right .... it flowers also only once per year for three hours ?

The canes very much remind me of Den tetragonum and the flowers like a showier version of Den falcorostrum. With falcorostrum being my #1 choice to hybridize with amboinensis to hopefully give the flowers a little bit of longevity and wider growing temps.

Yes, it flowers once a year and is at its peak for maybe a couple hours till it starts to wilt and collapse. Missed its prime last year by a couple hours and got it on the tail end of prime this year. Its amazing that there are awards for this species because of this timing issue. It makes Coryanthes and Stanhopea seem long lived. Lol

 

[orchidmouse]

Wonderful. Source please. Thanks

 

[Ozpaph]

Its interesting to contemplate what the genetic advantage of such a short flower life is.

 

[abax]

Ozpaph, that was my second thought after an OOOOOO at the photos. It would be
interesting to know the pollinator.

 

[geoffsharris]

Mine just bloomed last week as well, although I was out of town and didn't get to see it. Very cool plant.

 

[MorandiWine]

Orchidmouse,

I got it off ebay actually three years ago. I’ll try and dig up the vendor but I do remember reaching out when I got it, asking for more and there were none.

The plant was selfed…..so fingers crossed.

Tyler