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07.15.11  

All Orchids, Orchid Others

Schomburgkia thomsoniana – Plant

Schomburgkia thomsoniana is the synonym of Myrmecophila thomsoniana. Myrmecophila is a derivative of the word myrmecophile that refers to the symbiotic relationship that this plant has with ant colonies that are usually found in its hollowed-out pseudobulbs.

Flowers appear at the top of a long spike and at the bottom cluster banana-like pseudobulbs that give this plant its common name, the Banana Orchid. It can take a lot of light and heat, this young plant is exposed to more than half a day of full sunlight in our growing area. Picture shows the plant’s first spike with initial blooms.

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07.15.11  

All Orchids, Orchid Others

Schomburgkia thomsoniana – Flower

Myrmecophila thomsoniana is an endemic species found only in the Cayman Islands and also the National Flower of the Grand Caymen Islands.

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07.15.11  

All Orchids, Orchid Others

Schomburgkia thomsoniana – Flower

Myrmecophila thomsoniana blooms only once a year. Water this plant well and allow to dry out in-between.

Legend has it that early settlers in the Cayman Island used the hollow pseudobulbs of this orchid as tobacco pipes.

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07.13.11  

Other Plant Species

Nepenthes Truncata

N. truncata like most pitcher plants is easy to care for. It should never be fertilised and should be kept moist at all times. Do not let media dry out nor let it sit in water for prolonged periods. This plant can take higher light but source must be diffused to avoid burns.

N. truncata has thick leaves so it can tolerate lower humidity, though observing higher humidity is the best way to grow it. Unlike other pitcher plants, it has unique truncated, heart-shaped leaves. Mature plants are known to produce monster pitchers.

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07.11.11  

All Orchids, Cattleya Alliance

Brassolaelia – Unknown

This plant requires good light intensity to bloom.

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07.08.11  

Growing Tips

Grow Them Strong

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07.08.11  

Responsible Pesticides

Listerine. An Alternative Fungicide

We advocate the usage of non-toxic alternatives to pesticides whenever possible in container gardening.

Listerine can be an effecting alternative to toxic chemical fungicide to control fungus, molds, and bacterial infections. The denatured alcohol content in Listerine can also help to deter soft bodied pest from infecting your plant.

Use undiluted in a sprayer or water down by half with a squirt of liquid detergent. Not recommended for regular use on plants because of its alcohol content, use instead whenever the need arises. Choose Listerine Original Formula Mouthwash instead of its fancy variation.

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06.14.11  

All Orchids, Cattleya Alliance, Encyclia

Encyclia tampensis ‘Alba’

Encyclia tampensis, otherwise known as the Butterfly Orchid can be found throughout Florida growing in the wild. It requires bright diffused light and does well mounted on fern slab.

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06.14.11  

All Orchids, Cattleya Alliance, Encyclia

Encyclia tampensis ‘Alba’

The pseudobulbs of Encyclia tampensis has grass-like leaves 6 to 12 inches long. Water regularly but let it dry out between waterings.

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06.14.11  

All Orchids, Cattleya Alliance, Encyclia, Garden TV

Encyclia tampensis ‘Alba’

Avoid heavy waterings in the evening unless it is especially windy. When seen with multiple spikes laden with blooms in the wild, their flowers fluttering in the breeze brings to mind images of butterflies amongst the plant, which probably explains the common name.

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