Orchids spring 2008

[Giles]

Another one, then, just to keep you going.
There are lighter and darker forms in different parts of North America/other parts of the world.
It grew in deep dark mossy forest.

[Lesley Cox]

I love these. Like some Disney-invented small animal.

[Magnar]

LOvely to see those Calypso pics,, thank you.

[Anthony Darby]

I just love Calypso bulbosa. Someone a couple of years ago offered some of us plants as they were growing 'like weeds' - even invading his compost bin. Must have put the 'kiss of death' on those plants.

Here's a rather tired bumble bee with its face covered with pollinia from Dactylorhiza elata. Rather like flying around with a tyre round your neck?

[Lesley Cox]

The whites are very attractive.

[johanneshoeller]

Some orchis from Upper Austria

[ranunculus]

Beautiful images Hans, many thanks for posting.
Just to clarify, image 4640 is actually an Orobanche ... a broomrape, a parasitic plant that lacks chlorophyll.

[Anthony Darby]

Here are the selections I have made and some pictured of other orchids in flower here-

Anacamptis pyramidalis var alba I assume, it appeared in my clump of normal form below -




A very white form that appeared among the various species I grow, it's very tall and has clear foliage I wonder what it could be? Probably a hybrid.-


Another white one that has attractive pink veining on the lip again not sure what its origins are but perhaps just a white form of elata or fuchsii.-


This one has quite plain flowers with very little markings, but I selected it for its clear foliage (not pictured) just took a pic of the flowers-


So are any of these of interest? I think the white form of the Anacamptis is particularly good I have a spare tuber of this one too.

Rob

Nice plants Rob. I like the white pyramidalis and would certainly like a tuber. The white one with the veining fits within the range of vars that fuchsii shows. I can give you a plant of 'Bressingham Bonus' if you don't have it?

[Anthony Darby]

Here's a clump of Dactylorhiza 'Bressingham Bonus'. It needs moving as it is being pushed out by other plants, including one I regard as a bit of a thug at this time of year: Colchicum graecum. How PC can suggest planting it with Leucojum autumnalis I don't know!

[Anthony Darby]

Must get my orchid cabinet up and running.

[Craig]

Some shots from a very exciting trip to Kent last weekend. The site had thousands of Anacamptis pyramidalis, some nice Gymnadenia conopsea, a good helping of Ophrys apifera and the first lizard orchids I've ever seen in the flesh.I sat down to draw one of the plants when the sky was a bit overcast but the sun soon came out and then I was treated to the full goaty pong that gives the plant its name.The rain-jewelled pyramid, by the way, had hundreds of baby spiders inside.

[Anthony Darby]

Wow. Lizard orchids in the UK. Fantastic. Did you just happen upon them?

[Craig]

No. This trip was planned. I was thinking about going to Sandwich golf course where there are thousands but on an organised walk a fortnight ago someone mentioned there were a few on another golf course much closer to London. I counted four in flower but apparently in previous years there have been up to twelve.

[Anthony Darby]

Well, it is pleasing to know that they are doing well, and welcome to the Forum Craig. You've passed the entrance exam with honours (first class).

[Maggi Young]

Hi, Craig, a warm welcome to the Forum. Great orchid pix.... what a treat to see these "lizards" looking so good....thank you!