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Orchid Hunter 🇨🇴🇵🇬

@orchidsofkurt

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° These are the stories of all the amazing plants I hunt and grow...
° From 🇨🇴 and I live in 🇵🇬
° nature is my garden™️ ~ Kurt Metzger

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Not just one but two! 🤯 Two plants blooming with two flowers open each. I must be dreaming... these usually open sequentially and only for one day.

Dryadorchis huliorum (Schuit.) Christenson & Schuit. is a diminutive monopodial epiphyte found patent growing in mostly shaded positions in the lower montane forest of New Guinea (1300-1700m). Dryadorchis is a small genus and nearly unheard of, with 5 known species and found exclusively in New Guinea, but is certainly closely allied with the genus Sarcochilus. Plant habit is quite interesting; patent growing with 4-5 dorsoventrally flattened overlapping broad leaves. Colouring of the leaves of this species is an olive green with dark purple on the underside. Inflorescences, with a very short expanded rachis, are produced from below the lowest leaf and are generally longer than the leaves. Flowers are spectacular, bloom sequentially and last only one day but plants will flower several times a year!
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#nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬 taken in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea by @orchidsofkurt

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2 years ago

“The Puppetmaster” - an apropos nickname, don’t you think? This is Bulbophyllum macrorhopalon Schltr., from section Epicrianthes; a continuously branching pendant epiphyte found growing exclusively in the montane forest of Papua New Guinea (1800-2300m). Plant habit is quite similar to the other species from this section but then there is the flower... it really defies any explanation! The two petals look extraordinarily like a puppeteer with her 2 marionettes; each with three cat claw-like papillose appendages that spin freely from silky threads with just a breath of air. The median appendage is bizarrely bigger and a slightly different shape than the 2 lateral ones. I could go on and on with superlatives but I’ll let the pictures and video do the talking.

Of all Bulbophyllum sections, Epicrianthes species are some of the most uncommon in cultivation, but they are just as stunningly beautiful as they are unusual. In New Guinea there are 20 known species, I only grow this one however. [video]
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#nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! taken in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea by @orchidsofkurt

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4 years ago

Probably one of the most amazing orchids that you will see in some time; and I don’t believe that is an exaggeration. I've dreamed of finding this species after reading about it and, what do you know, I've been growing the plant for a couple of years in my garden but didn't know exactly what it was until it bloomed…

Ophioglossella chrysostoma Schuit. & Ormerod is a diminutive monopodial epiphyte found growing in mostly shaded positions in the montane forest of New Guinea (800-2300m). Ophioglossella is monotypic (this being the singular representative of the entire genus), unheard of in cultivation and found exclusively in New Guinea, but it is certainly closely allied with Sarcochilus and Dryadorchis. Plant habit is interesting; patent growing with 4-5 dorsoventrally flattened slightly falcate leaves. Colouring of the leaves is a dark green with a flush of dark purple on the underside. Pendant inflorescences are usually produced from below the lowest leaf and are generally about the same length. Flowers are spectacular, bloom sequentially, facing the ground, and last only one day but plants typically flower several times a year!
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#nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #insects, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! taken in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea by @orchidsofkurt

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3 years ago

A likely undescribed Bulbophyllum species from section Brachypus just bloomed again in my garden for the first time in about 15 years. I’ve had it for longer than that, but I nearly killed it a few times. I finally figured it out, and it’s growing well again — which is incredibly fortunate, as I’ve not seen another plant like it!

The flowers of this species are visually very similar to those of B. cerinum and B. katjae, but differ in their significantly larger size. It is also unique within the section in having an arched lower side of the column.

While the plants are also similar in habit to those in section Lepidorhiza (smaller in overall size), the inflorescences carry only a single flower. This is another section of Bulbophyllum in which nearly all of the 21 known species are native to New Guinea (20 of them). [video]
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#nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, plants and flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬 taken in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea by @orchidsofkurt

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4 months ago

A likely undescribed Bulbophyllum species from section Brachypus just bloomed again in my garden for the first time in about 15 years. I've had it for longer than that, but I nearly killed it a few times. I finally figured it out, and it's growing well again — which is incredibly fortunate, as I've not seen another plant like it!

The flowers of this species are visually very similar to those of B. cerinum and B. katjae, but differ in their significantly larger size. It is also unique within the section in having an arched lower side of the column.

While the plants are also similar in habit to those in section Lepidorhiza (smaller in overall size), the inflorescences carry only a single flower. This is another section of Bulbophyllum in which nearly all of the 21 known species are native to New Guinea (20 of them).
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#nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬 taken in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea by @orchidsofkurt

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4 months ago

Another fascinating Glomera species from section Uniflorae. These endemic pendant-growing epiphytes are found in the mid-montane forests of New Guinea (c. 1600–1900 m). The plants can become quite large due to their relatively fast growth, with stems that seem to grow continuously. Typical of most species in this section are the non-resupinate white flowers, which can bloom simultaneously on stem branches of different ages and lengths. The flowers last 6–7 days and have the same beautiful fragrance as others in this section—though a bit more subtle. It reminds me of Prosthechea fragrans, which I used to grow in Colombia. [video]

Some interesting notes:
~ In New Guinea, Glomera species are among the most prevalent orchids in the montane forests.
~ Glomera species are quite difficult to identify using available documentation, as some with completely different growth habits have almost identical flowers.
~ Section Uniflorae of Glomera contains about 70 known species in New Guinea alone.
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#nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, plants and flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬 taken in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea by @orchidsofkurt

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5 months ago

Another fascinating Glomera species from section Uniflorae. These endemic pendant-growing epiphytes are found in the mid-montane forests of New Guinea (c. 1600–1900 m). The plants can become quite large due to their relatively fast growth, with stems that seem to grow continuously. Typical of most species in this section are the non-resupinate white flowers, which can bloom simultaneously on stem branches of different ages and lengths. The flowers last 6–7 days and have the same beautiful fragrance as others in this section—though a bit more subtle. It reminds me of Prosthechea fragrans, which I used to grow in Colombia.

Some interesting notes:
~ In New Guinea, Glomera species are among the most prevalent orchids in the montane forests.
~ Glomera species are quite difficult to identify using available documentation, as some with completely different growth habits have almost identical flowers.
~ Section Uniflorae of Glomera contains about 70 known species in New Guinea alone.
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#nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬 taken in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea by @orchidsofkurt

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5 months ago

Bulbophyllum ankylorhinon J.J.Verm., from section Pelma, is an intermediate-growing endemic epiphyte found in the mid-montane forests of New Guinea (1,740–2,100 m). This is another of the more massive plants in the section, with thick, fairly rigid, continuously branching rhizomes that can grow to well over 1 m in length. While they initially grow erect, the plants eventually fall under their own considerable weight. Tightly wrapped reddish-tan rhizome bracts add colour and character to an already spectacular plant. The flowers, which are quite large for the section, last 6–7 days and have a peculiar fragrance — I’m not sure whether it’s pleasant or not. Macro shots of the lip and petals reveal microscopic wonders! [video]
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#nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, plants and flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬 taken in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea by @orchidsofkurt

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5 months ago

Bulbophyllum ankylorhinon J.J.Verm., from section Pelma, is an intermediate-growing endemic epiphyte found in the mid-montane forests of New Guinea (1,740–2,100 m). This is another of the more massive plants in the section, with thick, fairly rigid, continuously branching rhizomes that can grow to well over 1 m in length. While they initially grow erect, the plants eventually fall under their own considerable weight. Tightly wrapped reddish-tan rhizome bracts add colour and character to an already spectacular plant. The flowers, which are quite large for the section, last 6–7 days and have a peculiar fragrance — I’m not sure whether it’s pleasant or not. Macro shots of the lip and petals reveal microscopic wonders!
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#nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬 taken in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea by @orchidsofkurt

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5 months ago

~ My absolute favourite Glomera species ~

A likely candidate for this plant is Glomera glomeroides (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., from section Uniflorae. This amazing epiphyte is found growing in the lower montane forests of New Guinea (1,000–1,900 m).

Some wonderful features of this small, bushy plant are its fleshy, succulent-like leaves and relatively brittle stems that branch continuously. It can flower simultaneously on branches of different ages and lengths. And then there’s the lip — it’s quite startling really. That deep green colouring with a red dot at the apex is spectacular.

The flowers, which last about a week, are quite small, making the lip a bit difficult to see with the naked eye. [video]

Some interesting notes:
~ In New Guinea, Glomera species are some of the most prevalent of all orchids to be found in the montane forests.
~ Glomera species are quite hard to identify from available documentation due to the fact that some with completely different plant habits have almost identical flowers.
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#nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, plants and flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬🇵🇬 taken in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea by @orchidsofkurt

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5 months ago

~ My absolute favourite Glomera species ~

A likely candidate for this plant is Glomera glomeroides (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., from section Uniflorae. This amazing epiphyte is found growing in the lower montane forests of New Guinea (1,000–1,900 m).

Some wonderful features of this small, bushy plant are its fleshy, succulent-like leaves and relatively brittle stems that branch continuously. It can flower simultaneously on branches of different ages and lengths. And then there’s the lip — it’s quite startling really. That deep green colouring with a red dot at the apex is spectacular.

The flowers, which last about a week, are quite small, making the lip a bit difficult to see with the naked eye.

Some interesting notes:
~ In New Guinea, Glomera species are some of the most prevalent of all orchids to be found in the montane forests.
~ Glomera species are quite hard to identify from available documentation due to the fact that some with completely different plant habits have almost identical flowers.
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°
#nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬 taken in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea by @orchidsofkurt

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5 months ago

Spathoglottis plicata Blume is a prolific and highly variable terrestrial orchid that grows in both lowland and highland grasslands. It is widespread from Southeast Asia through Malesia to the Pacific Islands (0–2970 m). It is also common here in New Guinea, but is usually found in wide open fields of kunai*. These plants are generally free-flowering throughout the year, which is very nice. An interesting feature of the flower’s lip is the pubescence at the base of the bilobed callus. Sadly, the flowers of my clone (the only one I have) are nearly always cleistogamous, so when one does open, it’s pretty special! [video]

*Kunai grass (a local name for Imperata cylindrica) is common here in the highlands of Papua New Guinea and used extensively for thatched roofs.
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#nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, plants and flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬 taken in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea by @orchidsofkurt

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5 months ago