Australian native terrestrial orchids

[Paul T]

Darren,

Quite possibly.  The original Pterostylis is I think about 6 different genus now, os I would imagine it was a Pt at one point.    I have a pot here of the same species of Diuris, just coming into bud.  Mine is outside rather than in a shadehouse, so it's flowers will be nowhere near as tall or elegant as those.

[Paul T]

Howdy All,

Another couple of pics of Arachnorchis tentacullata, although apparently there are a number of species masquerading under this name so it may not be correctly IDed.  A lot of similarities between a lot of the species.    Still in flower here though, so the flowers do last well too.

Also Pterostylis baptistii 'Gosford', with it's massive flowers compared to so many of the genus, Pterostylis Cutie 'Harold's Pride', and Pterostylis nutans variegata (including a pic showing the leaf variegation).

Enjoy.

Please click on the pics for a larger version.

[Paul T]

Whoops, forgot the Prasophyllum australe.... small flowers up the stem, each only a bit over a cm from top to bottom.  Whole plant is currently about 45cm tall, but can be taller than that as far as I know.

Please click on the pics for a larger version.

[Ragged Robin]

Super pics, Paul, showing the flowering habit on the stem, thanks 

[angie]

Paul T

Amazing plants, never seen anything like these before . Love Pterostylis Gosford.
Angie

[Paul T]

Glad you're both enjoying them!

[daveyp1970]

the pterostylis are fantastic my obtusa and truncata are sending spikes up now can't wait

[daveyp1970]

can i ask when my pterostylis truncata and obtusa flower will this tuber produce new tubers like the non flowering growths and once flowered will it then produce a new rosette or is that it.This is my first year with them.

[Paul T]

Davey,

I think that the tubers of some species at least remain from year to year, producing offsets on new droppers (sort of like runners, but not quite the same thing).  These offsets are often full flowering size the next year.  I don't know for your two species in particular, but I think that for most they either keep their original tuber or replace it yearly.  The flowering tuber itself shouldn't die out after flowering, which I think is what you're asking.  Either way (even if it did die after flowering) you should have more flowering tubers next year, they don't seem to take more than a season to build up to flowering size.  You'll likely get a few sizes of offsets though, so there are always some flowering and others that aren't..... well in my conditions anyway.  That a help?

[Darren]

You are troubled by lack of a proper leaf rosette on the flowering shoots Davey? I think obtusa might produce a leaf rosette separate to the flower shoot (as opposed to , say, curta which flowers from the centre of the leaf rosette). I haven't excavated to look. Some species may not produce a leaf rosette as well as a flower shoot. As Paul rightly says - it doesn't really matter, either way you will get  tubers for next year and probably a few little offsets too. There is a rather good explanation of the varying growth types in this Genus in one of my books and I can look it up but I really don't think you need to worry. Just relax and enjoy the flowers!

[daveyp1970]

thank you for that Paul and Darren you have put my mind to rest cheers

[Eric Locke]

can i ask when my pterostylis truncata and obtusa flower will this tuber produce new tubers like the non flowering growths and once flowered will it then produce a new rosette or is that it.This is my first year with them.

Dave both of these in flower now.

Eric

[daveyp1970]

cheers for that Eric they are stunning mine are a bit behind yours but now i cant wait for them to flower.

[Paul T]

Lovely, Eric.  Both are very nice.  I'm amazed at how long some of the flowers are lasting here this year, but we've had a week of heat and things are going off pretty quickly now.

Now of course the Thelymitra are starting to flower, and a couple of late Diuris spikes on D. aff. alba.  Also one of my "weeds" in some of my pots.... Microtis unifolia has opened it's flowers this week.  Pops up in all sorts of places.

[Paul T]

Howdy All,

My "weed" I mentioned.... Microtis unifolia.  Tiny little flowers, all green on green and very easy to miss.  I get them appearing in pots all over the place.  Not LOTS of them, but they do appear here and there. 

Please click on the pic for a larger version.