Syringodea tubiflora

This diminutive purple gem is blooming in the greenhouse. They require full sun to open their tiny blooms, so I have to be lucky to see them open, and pray for a sunny day when I'm not working of course. The flowers are a little bigger than a nickel, and come from South Africa. They have lovely twisted filiform leaves that generally appear with or after the flowers.

Phragmipedium schlimii

Phragmipedium schlimii is currently in bloom. It is a very pretty lady's slipper native to Colombia, South America. The labellum is a lovely pink with some delicate venation, and the bud is very fuzzy; a fact made aware with macro photography. The flowers are sequentially blooming which means there are several flowers per inflorescence; as such it blooms for a longer period of time. It has a slight sweet fragrance, when you place your nose up against it. Like most Phrags it enjoys constant moisture, and wet conditions. Watering is done with only distilled or rain water. They grow near  mountainsides near rivers and creeks , with abundant water always present. These orchids are ideal for those with a heavy hand.