This is Sophronitis cernua. It is native to Brazil, and it came into bloom this week. The flower buds emerge from a single, fleshy, heart-shaped leaf that splits open lengthwise, sort of like a pea pod. I think there will be six flowers.
This is the second time Sophronitis has bloomed for me. It lives with other miniature orchids on the windowsill above the kitchen sink. The flowers are a very intense red-orange, and you really have to see them in person to get the full effect.
Here’s another look at it. (Sorry about that gosh darn sun!)
And this is Ascocentrum pumilum. It hails from Taiwan, where it grows on tree trunks at elevations of up to 6,000 feet. It prefers cooler temperatures, and has been in flower for nearly a month, peacefully sharing the windowsill with Sophronitis.
This is another easy-to-grow miniature with intensely-colored flowers that have quite an impact because they grow in clusters. I like the foliage, too. It’s reed-like, but fleshy at the same time.
My orchids are so cheery this time of year.
Merry Christmas, dear readers. I wish you all the happiest of holidays.
Digging RI 
I don’t know how you do it, dn! We all have some kind of gift and you do have a way with every kind of plant, it seems. Merry Chritmas to you, too! Have a fabulous holiday.
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Not every plant, CJ. I will admit to failures, including orchids. But overall, I seem to have an affinity for them…a Taurus trait, right?
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Definitely. Taurus is the gardener of the zodiac. 🙂
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Your Sophronitis cernua is beautiful. What great color!
Merry Christmas,
Angelina
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Thanks, Angelina. Too bad the color doesn’t come through in the photos, because it’s much more dramatic in person.
Merry Christmas to you and Mike.
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Re: your earlier question about you and your orchids moving into my place: You can bring those beauties down here to Georgia any time you feel like it. Hurry South, Sister.
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If you see a woman on your doorstep clutching orchids, it’s me.
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I’ll say, “Hey, You. Get in here, give me a hug and put those orchids on that table over there.”
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