orchids

Ground Orchid Needs Safekeeping

| Flower Roberts

I have worried over this Ground Orchid plant for several years. It seems happy in this spot, but I fear it will be crowded by its neighbors. I have dug up some surrounding plants and moved them, but the little Bletilla cannot keep up with the fast growth of others.

I have finally decided to put part of it in a pot for safekeeping. That way I can move it around to see if it will grow faster with a bit more sun. Also its tiny, complex blooms deserve close inspection, which is not easy when it is a low-grower.

I have found that I relax more when I have at least two or three of my favorite plants, so I won’t fret about losing that variety altogether.

Now that this purple Bletilla striata is safe and divided, I can move on and obsess about another plant. A special Amaryllis perhaps?

FLOWER

Crazy Gorgeous Orchids

| Flower Roberts

Every trip to the Biltmore Conservatory is a dream come true for me. One of the many highlights is the orchid collection. The variety of colors and shapes is a marvel. I have always found orchids fascinating.

You can click on the photos to enlarge them.

One of my favorite books is Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean. If you are an orchid fan you will love it also.

FLOW the flower fan.

Orchids Under Glass

| Flower Roberts

I am fascinated by orchids. Their various shapes and color patterns amaze me.

Here are my favorites from the Biltmore Estate Conservatory. CLICK in pic to enlarge.

I kept mumbling “Crazy Beautiful” as I clicked at every step. Nature is the best artist.

My next post will have arrangements and long shots. These folks are the best in the business.

Flower

Orchid Heaven

| Flower Roberts

These beauties live in a glass pavilion at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

Orchids were everywhere, in pots, on trees, on the walls, hanging around.

I wanted to post their names, but their identification is beyond my realm.

I have always been fascinated by orchids.

Their shapes, their colors, their pollinators.

One of my favorite books is The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean.

I understand why folks have obsessions about them.

These flowers seem other-worldly, angelic, heavenly…

Flower

The Orchid Queen

| Flower Roberts

When the Orchid Queen has a New Year’s Eve party,

all the orchids arrive in their delicate finery

to dance through the kingdom warmed under the glass.

 

Skirts of velvet or satin,

with stripes, spots or splash marks.

Each twirls through the branches to greet other beauties.

All colors so vibrant, with intricate markings.

The tiniest of orchids perched high to observe them

as colors of royalty parade through the rooms.

Showy slippers and ruffles

and streamers

and bonnets.

Spots of brilliance revolving around every tree.

What was she wearing you ask of the Queen?

She rang in Two Thousand and Eighteen in green.

Paphiopedilum venustum

FLOWER   2018