for all you orchid lovers in the lounge....check out my darwin's orchid

[Gato Moteado]

i posted these in the garden group but i know there are orchid lovers here in the lounge. this is a large orchid native to madagascar and they have a long, thin pollination tube and are pollinated by a moth with a long tongue. i have three and two of them started blooming recently.

http://i55.photobucket.com.nyud.net:8090/albums/g138/GatoMoteado/darwin0.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com.nyud.net:8090/albums/g138/GatoMoteado/darwin1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com.nyud.net:8090/albums/g138/GatoMoteado/darwin2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com.nyud.net:8090/albums/g138/GatoMoteado/darwin3.jpg

[spinbaby]

1. Ooooh, that's a nice one

A lot of my orchids bloom this time of year when they come in from outdoors. In bloom right now are my Hoku Gem, a little pink Dendrobium, and a kind of generic yellow Oncidium. Plus I've got two Phals and a Zygopetalum in spike. They're very addictive.

[Gato Moteado]

4. i never had much luck with orchids until i moved down here

of course i spent most of my life in chicago and austin, tx....not areas known for a favorable climate for orchids. of course i was in miami for 4 years but i was an apartment dweller there and didn't have much space to play with orchids outside.

here they grow like weeds.

[spinbaby]

13. I envy you being able to grow orchids outdoors

I have a large bay window and my babies seem quite happy there. In late May they get moved out under the shelter of the pampas grass. In early October they come back to the bay window. The humidity is much lower than I'd like in the winter, but they do well anyway.

[Gato Moteado]

14. the hybrids tend to be more tolerant of a wider range of conditions

the species are much pickier.

do you have any native ground orchids in your area?

[seemunkee]

2. Gorgeous

Thanks for sharing. I have 5 orchids and usually only get one to bloom each year.

[Gato Moteado]

5. they're not easy to grow once you get far from the equator

unless you have a greenhouse

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. Except for these:

The orchid Cypripedium reginae is the state flower of Minnesota. We find 'em in the woods now and then.

[Gato Moteado]

19. wow,,,,,that's an outstanding terrestrial orchid

if i were living in MN i would definitely try to grow those in my yard.

[BrklynLib at work]

3. Stunning. Great pics.

[Gato Moteado]

6. thanks

nt

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. Beautiful!

Thanks for the pics!

[Gato Moteado]

10. thanks.....hey, i have a pic you need to see

i'll pm you

[SeattleGirl]

8. Gorgeous!

I love orchids, and while I have a pretty good knack at growing things, I have never been able to sustain orchids.

[Gato Moteado]

11. yeah, if you don't live in the tropics, it's tough

in fact, even here in costa rica you can have problems growing orchids from other parts of costa rica. because we have at least a dozen distinct climate zones from the hot beaches on up to 12,000 foot altitudes, we have an incredible diversity of orchids. the higher elevation ones have problems in the hot zones and vice versa.

[bigwillq]

9. Beautiful!

:bounce: :hi:

[Gato Moteado]

12. thanks....

...i wish you all could come down and see them personally!

[Suich]

15. Beautiful, as usual!

I'm trying to keep one of these going:

http://www.beautifulorchids.com/orchids/orchid_care_tips/individual_care/miltonia.html

Since it was going to get thrown out, I thought I'd see what I can do with it. I've only had it 4-5 months but I haven't killed it yet!

Hope you're doing well. I envy you being out of the country. You're missing all the fun with the upcoming election. :sarcasm:

Peace...Susan

[Gato Moteado]

18. well, if you've had it going for that long.......

....then it's probably gonna make it.

i'm unfamiliar with that genus but they sure do resemble pansies. take some photos when it blooms and post them for us!

[greatauntoftriplets]

16. That's beautiful!

You have a green thumb. Thanks for showing those to us.

:hi:

[Gato Moteado]

20. i do have a green thumb, but....

....down here anyone can grow orchids. the trees are full of them. orchids and bromeliads.

you getting ready for winter? you should come down here for a few months.

[greatauntoftriplets]

23. Thanks for the invitation....

But I don't have anywhere NEAR that kind of vacation time. :(

[Gato Moteado]

24. well then you need a new job!

maybe POTUS would be a good job. look at all the vacation time bush gets.

[greatauntoftriplets]

27. In a serious new job, I'd have to wait six months or a year for just one week.

Guess I'm better off staying where I am.

[Chovexani]

21. That's gorgeous!

Thank you for sharing. :loveya:

[Fire Walk With Me]

22. Wow, that's unusual. Thanks for the pic. n/t

[applegrove]

25. How beautiful is that!

[Bullwinkle925]

26. gorgeous . . .

a beautiful flower. thanks for sharing with us.

[Gato Moteado]

28. my pleasure!

nt

[GOPisEvil]

29. Dude, that's gorgeous.

[Gato Moteado]

32. it's definitely an interesting bloom.....

...especially with the long tube hanging down from it

so, what have you been up to?

[lost-in-nj]

30. Stunning

what a gorgeous flower

Does it have a scent????

is it wonderful??


lost

[Gato Moteado]

33. no scent on that one

i have others that have scents though.

[Evoman]

31. I don't like that thing....it looks like it wants to eat me.

:scared:



Nah...it's nice :)

[Gato Moteado]

34. nah....it's harmless

nt

[Xipe Totec]

35. Beautiful. They somewhat remind me or Spider Lillies

[Gato Moteado]

36. we have a lot of those down here too

nt