Nerds day

[Peter Korn, Sweden]

For the fourth time I´m arranging the Nerds day.

[mark smyth]

sounds great

[Anthony Darby]

I wonder if Bill Gates will attend?

[Maren]

What's that slipper orchid in the bottom picture? I don't recognise it. Maybe it's not an orchid?

[Pascal B]

What's that slipper orchid in the bottom picture? I don't recognise it. Maybe it's not an orchid?

Cypripedium yatabeanum. I got a rhizome from Peter during my visit to his place, hopefully I will be able to tell you if it wants to grow in a garden in Holland next spring. Apparantly it should be easier to grow than its close cousin C. guttatum.

[shelagh]

Unfortunatley it is not as prettily coloured as C. guttatum though.

[Pascal B]

Unfortunatley it is not as prettily coloured as C. guttatum though.

Agreed, also for me white with pink is more attractive but it is more the shape than the colour I like about both (although they are small and need a fair bit of groundhugging to appreciate them). Some consider yatabeanum a variety of gutttatum but there seems to be a lot of variation in both which has even led some to be believe the form that has the pouch of yatabeanum and the petals of guttatum is a natural hybrid: C. x alaskanum. Whatever they are, yatabeanum & guttatum are rarely grown and need a cool climate so I only hope it does well in the coolest place I can find in the garden.

[Peter Korn, Sweden]

They are easy in Sweden and are spreading fast.

[Anthony Darby]

Unfortunatley it is not as prettily coloured as C. guttatum though.

I prefer its colours.

[Lesley Cox]

I thought they were some of Gerry's offspring.

I've not been in Christchurch since the earthquakes but yesterday one of the main shopping areas in the CBD was re-opened for shopping. The Cashel Mall has been "rebuilt" using large containers and these, painted in bright colours make a wonderful new venue so that Chch people can again and at last re-enter their central city for shopping and eating etc. Why I mention this now is because on Friday night in a TV preview of this re-opening, one young woman was setting out some of her stock and this included a series of wonderful giraffes which looked as if they were made from fabrics, all in bright colours, some polfa-dotted or floral etc. If I could have been there I would certainly have bought one to have my own private Gerry.