Help w/ an ID? (Optimara's Little Lapis?)

16 years ago

Got this at Lowe's about a year ago... Pretty sure it's an Optimara since that seems to be all they sell... Wish I'd gotten more then, they never get minis now that this one hooked me (I did get one more a couple months after this one, the last lonely one on clearance-yay! Then I sat drooling on ebay etc. at all the little minis and reading up here & other places for a year until I finally started ordering some more this week... is it weird that I am not at all interested in standards or even semis? Oh well.)

ANYhooz, I've been searching and I *think* maybe my little friend here is Optimara's Little Lapis... but..?? I dunno 'cos I'm a n00b. But from the pics online I found of that one online, there were many strong resemblances.. It's blooming right now and was just begging to have it's picture taken in this state, so I thought "I should post one and see if anyone knows..."

(Oh, and since there's nothing in the pic for scale like a quarter or ruler, it's in a 2 in. pot if that helps you get a better feel of it's size)

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help w/ an ID.

It may forever just stay a "noid" but I would like to at least try to find out before giving up on a real name for it :-)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

vall3fam
16 years ago
Gorgeous photo! How do you get the black background in your picture? I love to take photos of my plants and really like your composition. It really showcases all parts of the plant without a distracting background. Sorry I can't help with your I.D.!

Elaine
m3rma1d
Original Author
16 years ago
I've pretty much given up on the name thing, so that's ok :-)

But thank you for the compliments on my photography!
I am a goldsmith and I've had to learn small scale photography to get shots of my jewelry creations, so really I just took the skills I use for that and applied the same techniques to taking this picture of my little plant.

The most important thing is my light box setup. I paid $10 for mine on ebaY, but you can also get the same sort of effect using a small translucent rubbermaid storage-type bin thingy if you set it up right. You want to have something that sorta "filters" the lights you use (since you can't use a flash on small items, you have to light it up good--but they have to be not shining directly on the stuff you wanna snap)

I don't use any fancy/expensive lights or backgrounds with my light box.. Just a clip-on-cheapo-task-lamp light and whatever piece of fabric or paper I feel like tossing in for the background. cheap!
With my jewelry, I've had to work for a few years at finally being able to get good shots, so it's hard to explain in words. But I got all my info and tips online, so that means anyone can!
Here's a link to a googling of 'jewelry photography' with a zillion good tips & tricks--many of which I got my knowledge from. (And yeah I know we're not talking about photographing jewelry here, but like I said, this same stuff is what I applied in taking the shot of my plant above)

Hope that helps you get started! And thanks again--I am really proud my photography has finally gotten good enough to get complimented!!
Related Discussions
Help w/ ID of this wild orchid
Q
Comments (12)
Hey Bestdank, do me a little favor tomorrow when you go to the property. Measure the length & the width of the Pseudobulbs (in centimeters if possible) and take note of any old flower spikes that may still be there (they spikes may have been nearly totally broken away, but look for any small dried up old flower spikes). Take note of whether they are coming from the base of the orchid of from the top of the pseudobulbs. Also, take a close look at the pseudobulbs, are they slight wrinkled/ shriveled, or are they nice & plump. Also, are the Pseudobulbs tall & oval shapes or short and fat/ round. I have poured thru my book & based on your geographical location & the size (or at least the size as I perceive it to be from the photo) of the leaves & pseudobulbs, I think it could a Polystachya Concreta. It stands out for one BIG reason; it likes to grow LOW on oak trees & has short round pseudobulbs. It is one of the only native epiphytes that has such a short, narrow leaf on adult plants. The Second orchid I have found is Prostechea boothiana. It is also low growing on trees, short, narrow leaves. The thing that is not quite convincing to me is that it has short some what flattened pseudobulbs (like an oncidium) which are slightly wrinkled. There is one other plant that has the right pseudobulbs (short, round, very fat looking). But the plant lacks the short narrow leaves that yours has, in fact its leaves look very much like that of your Encyclia Tampensis. Encyclia rufa has been found in that general area. I'm looking forward to seeing the next set of pictures =0). -Ray-
...See More
Help w. ID: yellow asteraceae plant, silvery green foliage
Q
Comments (2)
Hah!! I think you are right. I looked that up on google and the similarity is convincing!! Thank you, J.
...See More
Please help ID these little rascals! (Picture link)
Q
Comments (10)
We need to remember this....someone posted great images of this same insect just the other day. Springtails are probably THE most numerous insect in soil, and their presence does not necessarily mean that there is a problem. Truthfully, their primary role is that of an organic matter recycler! However, they can nibble on plant roots and if the population is VERY high they could cause some difficulties. If your soil has plenty of organic matter and/or if you mulch with organic material, you will most likely see plenty of springtails. Moist, organic-y conditions suit them best. Keeping the soil disturbed by cultivating gently could help. Applications of horticultural grade diatomaceous earth would be effective, too. If I were in your shoes, I'd have my long handled cultivator out routinely. If these insects were in my containerized plants (where they often take up residence because of the high organic content), I'd use DE.
...See More
Help with disease i.d. w/pic...
Q
Comments (6)
I was under the impression that early blight starts out as small lesions, enlarge, then area around spots may turn yellow. This looks like yellow chlorosis is developing first. Doesn't look like the yellowing that occurs with powdery mildew either. Wonder if it could be nutritional deficiency such as magnesium? (see link below) Of course , fungicide spraying is covering all your bases if this is fungal or for whatever fungal diseases do develop in near future. symptoms of Early blight: "Early Blight (Alternaria solani) Symptoms: Early blight is first observed in the field as small brownish-black lesions on the older foliage. The spots enlarge rapidly, and by the time they are 1/4 inch in diameter or larger, concentric rings may be distinguished on the dark brownish portion of the spots. The tissue surrounding the spots may become yellow in color, and when spotting is abundant the entire leaf may yellow." (2005 Florida Plant Disease brochure) Here is a link that might be useful: Magnesium Deficiency
...See More
vall3fam
16 years ago
Thanks for the info! I'll try some of the techniques on my next photo binge! I just completed a digital camera class and it's amazing what can be done with them once you know what some of the features are for.

I look forward to experimenting with my new found knowledge!

Elaine
m3rma1d
Original Author
16 years ago
I can't wait to see some of yer new pics after you start experimenting with some new techniques :-)

(Altho I've seen some other pics you posted, and those were nice to look at, too!)

Help w/ an ID? (Optimara's Little Lapis?)

Comments (4)

vall3fam

m3rma1d
Original Author

Related Discussions

vall3fam

m3rma1d
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Help w/ an ID? (Optimara's Little Lapis?)

Comments (4)

vall3fam

m3rma1dOriginal Author

Related Discussions

vall3fam

m3rma1dOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

m3rma1d
Original Author

m3rma1d
Original Author