lord_whimsy ([info]lord_whimsy) wrote,
@ 2008-05-08 12:02:00
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Entry tags:pine barrens, plants

CYPRIPEDIUM ACAULE!


The Pink Lady's Slipper Orchids are blooming in the woods!


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[info]txtriffidranch
2008-05-08 04:13 pm UTC (link)
Contented sigh. I haven't seen any of those since I moved from upstate New York thirty years ago this November. Then again, all of my Sarracenia pitcher plants just finished blooming, so I think we both have wonders available to us.

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[info]lord_whimsy
2008-05-08 04:18 pm UTC (link)
I have some s. blooms on the way, but they should start popping in a couple weeks.

Giving a tour of the pine barrens on Saturday for Bartram's Garden. I'm hoping to include this stand in the trip.

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[info]madge_pastiche
2008-05-08 04:20 pm UTC (link)
HOW cool! I haven't thought about those in years, but I spent a good deal of time in my childhood fantasizing about finding one of those in real life in our woods...I never did, and decided that they must be a myth. I liked them because they were called lady slippers, were pink, and were endangered.

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[info]snowy_owlet
2008-05-08 04:21 pm UTC (link)
When I was a young girl, I loved the book Miss Hickory, which is about a doll with a hickory nut for a head. At one point she bathes in a Jack-in-a-Pulpit, and afterward she dresses in leaves and moss. She puts on Lady's Slippers for shoes.

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[info]wolfsilveroak
2008-05-08 05:45 pm UTC (link)
Gorgeous.

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[info]lutos
2008-05-08 09:53 pm UTC (link)
Ack, I love your pictures of plants. This is no exception. I am currently also strolling the neighbourhood in search for one of the numerous orchids who grow on our island. Here's one from recently:
title or description

There are quite a few books about the variety of (rare) wild orchids found on Chios, they might be of interest to you.

And here's another link I found regarding orchid vegetation here (scroll down):
http://www.chiosnet.gr/tourism/nature/chios_wildflowers.htm

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[info]lord_whimsy
2008-05-08 11:18 pm UTC (link)
Wow--those are beauties! Do they grow in shade? I can't imagine a fleshy orchid thriving in full Aegean sun.

Do you ever encounter Dracunculus vulgaris? I've been told that they were native to that part of the world, and are often deemed a weed. Have a few coming up in my garden right now.

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[info]lutos
2008-05-09 08:20 am UTC (link)
Oh yes, this arum is growing all over the place (though mostly on the lower parts like (dry) riverbeds and amidst shady vegetation). I hope my camera is returning soon from repair, so I can take a walk and take some pictures of it.

It seems that orchids have no problem with the Aegean climate in springtime, when the soil is still wet from the rains and the temperature stays around 15 - 20 degrees Celsius. My favourite time of the year: It's sunny and warm, but not too hot, all is green and vegetation is exploding in colors.

We also have lots of wild irisses (the huge German iris f.e.) and Callas lilies who indeed grow like weed. As is the 'orchis mascula' called "salep". All still making my garden beautiful!

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[info]lutos
2008-05-09 02:40 pm UTC (link)
Just came back from a two-mile-walk and saw 7 of Dracunculus vulgaris in various states of development, and all about 90cm - 110cm high.
Cover your nose once the 'flower' is mature. 'Tis a tiny bit smelly. ;)

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[info]lord_whimsy
2008-05-09 09:29 pm UTC (link)
I'm amazed to discover this morning that a spathe is already emerging from one of my plants! Can't wait to see and smell one in person!

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[info]trini_naenae
2008-05-09 01:43 am UTC (link)
Breathtaking!

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[info]petrusplancius
2008-05-09 09:02 pm UTC (link)
That's lovely; we do have something quite similar to that in England, but it's exceedingly rare. I live near downland which is very good for orchids a bit later in the season, especially bee orchids, which are a delight every year:
Photobucket
Not my photo, but taken three or four miles away.

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[info]lord_whimsy
2008-05-09 09:28 pm UTC (link)
Gorgeous thing! Looks an awful lot like a wine-black paphiopedilum that happens to be blooming in my Wardian case right now.

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