Chiloschista - Leafless Orchid

Chiloschista is a genus of orchid, comprising slightly more than 20 species. It is native to South East Asia. Unlike the majority of orchids, these plants essentially have no leaves. The photosynthesis activity of the plant is performed by its aerial roots.

The roots must be exposed to sunlight and cannot be potted.  They are usually mounted on driftwood, cork or tree branch. They prefer high humidity with good air flow. Cultivated plants should be kept moist while they are actively growing.  The misting of the plant should be allowed only slight drying allowed between watering.

 Chiloschista viridiflava

 Chiloschista lunifera

 Chiloschista viridiflava

Coryanthes bruchmuellerii #3 - some close up shots after pollination.

 

 

   

 

 

Coryanthes bruchmuellerii - Plants #2 and 3 flowers.

 Coryanthes bruchmullerii

These are the photos that show the flowers from the two plants that flowered one after another.
Plant #2 has 2 flowers whereas Plant #3 has only 1 flower.
Needless to say, Flower #3 is much bigger than the two flowers from Plant #2.

Coryanthes bruchmuellerii #2

 This photo was taken at 6 AM. The sepals are fully stretched.

 This photo was taken 12 hours later at 6 PM. The sepals have  curled inwards. 

 Sibings No 2 and 3

 The hypochile (cap) resembles the helmet of fireman.

                                      This photo shows the nectar secreatd by the flower. It  has medical fragrance with tinge of raspberry.

 Photo showing the curled sepals after  12 hours.

Paph godefroyaes and ang-thong

 Paph godefroyae Blacky HCC/OSSEA

 Paph godefroyae

  Paph godefroyae

 

Paph godefroyae

Paph angthong

Coryanthes bruchmuellerii

They are found in Venezuela, Brazil and Peru as a large sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte. The extremely large fragrant flower weighs about 100 gm. It is one of the heaviest flowers in the orchids world and the largest in this genus.

 The bud measure 100 mm from top to bottom and 65 mm across. Photo taken 2 days before the flower opens.

 First day 

 Resembles a helmet of the fireman.

  

 The droplet of nectar.