Encyclia alboxanthina

Encyclia alboxanthina is one of my favorite Encyclia species, with long branching spikes of fragrant green, yellow and white flowers.  This species is found in Bahia, Brazil and is not seen in cultivation very often, probably because it gets quite large.

Bulbophyllum Wilbur Chang

Bulbophyllum Wilbur Chang.  Bulbophyllums are often fly-pollinated and, like other fly-pollinated plants (such as Amorphophallus), tend to smell like things that attract flies such as rotten meat.  Meanwhile, the greenhouse is sealed up for Winter so smells tend to concentrate a bit.  I walk in and I'm thinking that some rat decided to die in the greenhouse.  I look and I look and no rat!  Finally, I give the Bulbophyllum a sniff and lo and behold, I find the source of the smell.  Hmmm...  This one is pretty but definitely not something I'm using to decorate the house.  Nope.  No way.

Ophrys bertolonii

Ophrys bertolonii blooming in an open field at L'Etang de Bolmon.  There were quite a few of them in bloom and there was some variation in lips and color.  It's not clear if there were additional species involved or if the species was simply very variable.

Ophrys bertolinii 'Le canard'.  I dubbed this one "the duck" because of the duck shaped patch on the lip.

This one looks suspiciously like Ophrys ferrum-equinum based on the alterred sepal stance and the U on the lip.  However, it is probably yet another bertolonii mutant or perhaps a bertolonii hybrid (with what, however, I cannot tell you).

Orchis purpurea

A beautifully marked Orchis purpurea blooming along the roadside in Vernegues, France.

In the midst of a large colony of Orchis purpurea.  There was a total absence of them in fields that were previously ploughed.  However, Orchis purpurea, Himantoglossum robertianum, Ophrys lutea and Ophrys provincialis were present in grassy fields that appeared to receive occasional mowing (probably dependent on when the field was mowed, allowing for undisturbed growth in the early Spring).  They were also sometimes present in partially shaded road cuts, if suitable moisture was present.

Orchids in France: Ophrys provincialis

Ophrys provincialis, Verneques, France.  I found these tiny orchids growing individually in lightly wooded areas under oaks and pines.

An Orchid That Smells like Chocolate Mint!

Stanhopea occulata, blooming in the back yard. This somewhat variable orchid species is named for the red eye-like spots that cover the flowers. I can alway tell when there's an occulata blooming as there is a powerful chocolate-mint fragrance that carries a good 20 feet. The pendent flowers sometimes get caught in other baskets or in the growing media as they attempt to burrow down to hang below the plant (in nature, below the branch that they are growing on). This one was stuck in another basket. I would have never even known it was in bloom had that powerful chocolate-mint fragrance not alerted me to the blossoms. I feel kind of like an orchid sniffer dog...

Wild Orchids! Anacamptis pyramidalis (formerly Orchis pyramidalis)

Anacamptis pyramidalis blooming along the path at the Parc Ornithologique in La Camargue, France. This orchid has evolved to be pollianted by butterflies and moths in the family Lepidoptera (scaled winged butterflies and moths). It is native to the Mediteranean region. On the same day, I saw another 6 A. pyramidalis blooming in a sunny, grassy meadow just off the path (at approx. sea level). The prior day, I saw one blooming in a mountain meadow under pines at about 1000 feet. It appears to be a fairly adaptable and widespread orchid.

Clowesia Grace Dunn

This is Clowesia Grace Dunn, a hybrid that strongly resembles its Clowesia rosea parent. Clowesia rosea is a sturdy, drought tolerant, bulbous orchid from Michoacan and Oaxaca, Mexico. It certainly made a stunning display.

Back to the Farmer's Market

I caved in and bought an orchid at the Farmer's Market. It's mainly to decorate the kitchen more than anything else. It has a sweet smell that reminds me of carnations. The best thing about orchids is that they last for weeks.

There was a new guy manning the orchid booth at the market. It turns out it's my good friend Ramona's son. Odd that neither of them ever mentioned that they had a son. Anyhow, I asked him what happened to his dad (who normally mans the booth). He tells me his dad passed away in January. I realize, at this point, that I haven't been to the Farmer's market in a really long time. Wow. I hate having people pass away on me. We both agreed that Tom (his dad) was a real character! ;-) He'll be sorely missed. Guess this blog's for Tom. RIP Tom, hope you have as much fun up there as you did down here.