Two different Rth. Netrasiri Starbright

Rth. Netrasiri Starbright is one of those complex hybrids that have many forms. Here are a pic each of two different forms; firstly a yellow-red form that Thai sellers call Netrasiri Starbright 'Spectacular' and then the Netrasiri Starbright 'Malaysia' that I have posted previously.

Rth. Netrasiri Starbright 'Spectacular'

Rth. Netrasiri Starbright 'Malaysia'

As you can see, the colours are very different, but the lip are somewhat similar. Also the plant stature are almost the same, thus without being labeled or in bloom, you will have difficulty telling the two apart. Hence the importance to keep them properly labeled. Both of them love the sun in the tropics, and by slowly bringing them out to the full sun, they actually thrive and become more hardy and less prone to rot and fungal spots on the leaves. Plus they bloom more frequently. Only thing is, make sure there is good airflow to keep the leaves cool at the hottest time of the day.

Rhyncattleanthe Netrasiri Starbright 'Malaysia'

My Rth. Netrasiri Starbright 'Malaysia' has bloomed! This variety of Rth. Netrasiri Starbright actually looks more like its Rth. Orange Nuggett parent. However, the plant is as robust (tall and husky) as the typical Netrasiri Starbrights, and the flower actually start off yellowish green, like the typical petal colour of the yellow-red Netrasiri Starbright. Over 3 - 4 days, the blooms darken to orange, reminiscent of the Orange Nuggett parent. The sepals are broader than Orange Nuggett, and the petals are fuller whilst the lip is like the typical Netrasiri Starbright, but coloured orange. Definitely a keeper, except that the flower presentation definitely falls behind the typical Netrasiri Starbright, being clustered together like in Rth. Orange Nuggett.

Below are some info regarding the cross extracted from the International Orchid Register:

Genus	Rhyncattleanthe
Epithet	Netrasiri Starbright
Synonym Genus Name	Potinara
Registrant Name	V.Netrasiri
Originator Name	V.Netrasiri
Date of registration	01/12/1987

 

	Seed parent	Pollen parent
Genus	Cattlianthe	Rhyncattleanthe
Epithet	Kauai Starbright	Orange Nuggett

Zelenkoa onusta - tiny little flecks of gold

I can't help myself and just got these cute miniature (teeny tiny) member of the Oncidiinae subtribe - Zelenkoa onusta or formerly known as Oncidium onustum 4 days ago. I got two pots, and it came in little thumb pots like the one shown in the picture. I repotted them into larger containers, obviously hoping they will grow and fill the container and one day produce multiple flower stalks.

Love the bright canary yellow flowers of Zelenkoa onusta.

They came in little red plastic thumb pots and I re-potted
them into larger pots.

Both of them had flower stalks when they came, but one wilted rather quickly, probably due to the shock of being transported.I love how the yellow flowers looks like pure canary yellow, but on closer inspection, there are actually a few tiny specks of purple/red/brown on them. This flecking is also seen on the pseudobulbs.

The mini pseudobulbs with red/purple flecking are sooo cute.