Orchids

English species orchids are notoriously difficult to cultivate, so it is particularly important that their threatened habitats are protected.

Pyramidal Orchids, taken in mid-Suffolk, 22nd July 2006, on a verge not far from the location of that year's Signals summer bash:



If you will permit the personal indulgence, the following are a few shots of my favourite 3.5acres in all the world, early last May. A wonderful, and increasingly rare example of the English meadow. The number and variety of species of wild flowers are down to fact that herbicides or fertilizers have NEVER been used.

It has an awe-inspiring seven species of Orchid through the season, which is heralded by the Cowslips which can be seen in abundance. Twayblade, Early-purple, Green-winged, Common-spotted, Bee, Pyramidal and (the very, very rare) Frog Orchids. Other flowers present that are now scarce include Spiny Restharrow and the Sulphur Clover.

Predominantly Cowslips with a few Orchids.


A greater mixture of Cowslips, Orchids and Our Lady's Bedstraw (white).


A host of Green-winged Orchids


Green-winged Orchids closer-to. The white variant shows more clearly than the more usual purple the green veins in the petals that give it the name 'Green-winged'.


Early-purple Orchid.


And from a previous summer's visit, Bee Orchid.


And finally - I know it's not orchids, but I thought you'd like to see it! - Our Lady's Bedstraw at England's longest village green.


Good wishes,
James

Dear James,

Such indulgeneces as the Old English Meadow, never raped by industrial agricultural trechniques, will inevitably be lost as the human population continues to grow exponentially.

It will not be accepatble to let humans die of starvation while such woeful under-utilisation of such a valueable resource as your unspolied meadows continue to produce next to no food, and only support entirely dispensible rare species.

Sorry to sound so pessimistic, but honestly until we start to consider that rare species will only be kept from extinction by controlling the rape of the plannet by the over large and still ever growing human population, then it is all wishful thinking, methinks

ATB from George

Fortunately George, the two I mentioned are protected. But I take your point in general.

The photo of the Pyramidal Orchid is on a verge, the colony also extends to a roundabout.

Such to-some-people (sadly) throwaway types of land, as well as the extensive meadows and greens, are also so important - both in their own right, because added together they make a huge acreage, but also because of the way they connect the larger parcels of land, thus forming a wildlife highway.

Good wishes,
James

Of no interest, Wolf? (Or perhaps you are away?)

James

quote:

Originally posted by JWM: my favourite 3.5acres in all the world
Good wishes,
James

perhaps you could call it naca5 acres

beautiful pictures for a Sunday morning, thank you.

Jeff A

Dear Mr Wolf,

Regarding your orchids, I'd recommend plenty of neglect!

Mine sit on a northfacing (double-glazed) window in the upstairs hallway. There they get plenty of light, but no direct sunlight or drafts. I dribble rainwater over the roots once every week/fortnight and they still flower!

My mother's collection was decimated (literally) by well-meaning but overzealous watering by her neighbour while she stayed with us at Christmas. They just rotted away.

Good luck,

Kenneth

I soak mine in luke warm water every 10 days for about half an hour, every second soak they get some orchid fertiliser. It is important to soak the roots for 15 minutes before adding the fertiliser. This was the recommendation of my florist and they seem to thrive under this regime. I think it is important to cut back the stem once the flowers have died.

My Mum reckons it helps to stress them for a few weeks at this point, no water or fertiliser. Seems a bit cruel to me, but what do I know they seem to have been overrun by orchids!

heya all, thanks for the replies. I think you have to find a plant that likes your conditions, maybe next year they will pop. I'm only talking 5 plants.

JWM, thanks so much for the pics. Warms the cockles of my heart to see something like that. I too believe in intrinsic value of untouched land. In northern CA and maybe santa Barbara there is teh calypso orchid that is quite wonderful, When I first saw it I thought of the artist that did The Wall illustrations.

I've been diverted from this post and delighted with the response, When I have time I'll write more about my experiences with them.

Here's my pride and joy, Cypripedium Guttatum (pale form). Found in Alaska (and my garden) it needs four months of sub zero temps during the winter to thrive the following year.

The things are like weeds here...

I always smile when seeing tourists at the airport taking a box back home....wonder how long they last !?

I didn't know that...

I still seem to struggle growing them when I've had them though, although I could say that for anything green on my balcony ! Except bamboo, which goes like the clappers.....

well wonderful comments and the pics are great. My first time seeing orchids in Philly in late 60s, tromping thru the woods and along a creek in back of houses. One had a green house against the garage in winter snow. Beautiful colors, I made friends with their kids and they were happy to show me and answer all my questions. Started a long term love affair with greenhouses and the flowers.

I was a gardener in Laguna Bch 70 miles south of LA around '80 in my 20s to 30 YO. I had a back deck with great plants, they either lived and bloomed or died with my neglect. Truly wonderful plants. I've not been to an orchid meeting in ages but do get to some great orchid shows here.

Now I'm in an apartment, and a friend has invested serious money in lights, humidifier in his bathroom. It's like being in a greenhouse. Some are reblooming for him.

9 years ago I saw a guy's wonderful garden several times, he had some growing on tree trunks. His little greenhouse was so sunny and hot the only thing he could grow was Vandas. But what magnificent plants, some sitting on the ground and towering over my head. Incredible colors.

Come over to UK at the right time, and we can take you round some wonderful sights (and sites)! The English countryside on a sunny May day really is quite something. There's so much throughout the month, great variety. And by the end the first roses have generally started to come out as well, certainly the dog roses in the hedgerows.

James

And a reminder for those in London towards the end of March - the Royal horticultural Halls will be doing an Orchid show on 20-22 March

around '80 I was on a trip there with a friend, Very frustrating at times. Happened to get to Capability Brown's Sheffield garden in spring. AMAZING

Then back in London before going home we were told about teh Chelsea Garden show. Huge tent of orchid displays with neatly printed taxonomic info. Had to watch out for the LOLs, they could maneuver between me and the rail. I'm talking Little Old Ladies, beautifully dressed with hats and white gloves. Thankfully I"m 6 foot and looked over them.

I used to live in Santa Barbara and went to their Orchid show several times. Wonderful tightly packed displays.