The Second Place Phalaenopsis (trade) award at Malvern went to our sweet little Phalaenopsis equestris.

This miniature Phalaenopsis species is native to the Philippines and Southern Taiwan where it is reported growing as an epiphyte in lowland forest near streams. It is a compact plant, 15cm across, that produces lots of flower

The small flowers are produced on arching spikes that continue to grow for several months with successive flowers each lasting about a month.

We have two clones – the awared clone is the peloric form with lateral petals resembling the lip while the little plant in the cup is the more normal form.

The habitat of Phalaenopsis equestris suggests a need for constant warm temperatures and so we find the greenhouse a little cool in winter but a centrally heated house perfect.

Today we feature another of our award winners at last weekend’s show .

Vanda falcata  is a cool growing orchid from Japan with very fragrant flowers and we grow our plants in Cool Asia in baskets where we keep them wet in the summer and damp in the winter. For us the species flowers from June right through to September and and our large white clone is usually the last to open. We have had this plant growing in its 8cm basket for at least 20 years – not long compared to the centuries that the species has been grown in Japan where Vanda falcata is called Fūki-ran or ‘orchid of the rich and noble people’.

The long spur holds the nectar and the flowers are pollinated by moths. With the flowers so fragrant we not only encourage students not only to breath on the plants, but to have a good old sniff.

The clone here is unusual with a pink stem. The normal form is all pure white (below)

Yesterday I mentioned that this little beauty won 2nd Pleurothallis here at the Malvern Show.

Pleurothallis sarracenia is a small growing species from the Mata Atlantica, Brazil with 1cm long leaves that hug the bark it grows on, and unusual dark purple flowers with just a tiny opening for the pollinating ant to enter the flower.

The species enjoys conditions in our Cool Americas section providing it grows high up and so keeps a little dryer than some of our Pleurothallis species.

We haven’t yet identified what the ants find attractive about the flower and have never seen a British ant visiting flowers so perhaps the reward is specific to the local Brazilian ants.

Lots of p[eople have been asking for plant details on our display so here are the award winners

1st Laeliniae – Cattleya purpurata ‘venosa’

1st Dendrobium – Dendrobium victoria regina

1st Phalaenopsis – Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi and 2nd Phalaenopsis – Phalaenopsis equestris

1st Pleurothallis – Scaphosepalum verrucosum, 2nd Pleurothallis – Pleurothallis sarracenia, Merit – Pleurothallis fulgens

2nd Vandae – Vanda falcata

All awards in ‘Trade Class’

Students were very impressed with the Best Amateur Display – Bournemouth – it even has a real boat, lobster pots and shells

Pupils are celebrating winning ‘Best Trade Display’ at this year’s Malvern International Orchid Show.

Congratulations to the ex-students who put together the wonderful display and all the students, staff and volunteers responsible for growing the plants.

Todays show team from Years 7, 9 and 12 have done a wonderful job presenting our orchids to the public and selling from the sales table.

The Malvern International Orchid Show continues tomorrow, with displays by Orchid Societies from across the UK and trade from across the world. We would love to see more of our orchid friends at the event – come up and say hello.