Dendrobium crumenatum, alias pigeon orchid
A tropical downpour and a sudden drop of temperature. That is all this orchid needs to prepare for showtime. Its stealthy buds start swelling and swelling. About eight days later hundreds of pigeon-like flowers flutter along the pseudobulbs. Their sweet fragrance is everywhere in the area where the orchid has caught its cold. If they bloom in your garden, you know they do the same elsewhere. Unfortunately, the party is over in one day. But with a bit of luck another chilling rain might fall soon.
February 2012, by Karolien Bais