Last week the wispy buds and delicate blooms of the butterly orchids, Encyclia tampensis living on the oak trees were noticed as I rounded the corner to the edible garden. This weekend I finally remembered to take some photos.
Butterfly orchids are epiphytes so they receive absolutely zero attention from me. That along with their demure size means they could easily be overlooked. Tiny blooms maybe but nonetheless beautiful and capturing when observed.
An epiphyte causes no harm to the host plant it is attached to as it receives its nutrients from the air.
Last year I wrote more extensively about this sweet Florida Native which you can read here.
Those are absolutely sweet little orchids. I don't think I've ever seen them and how lucky you are to have them and they need so little care and still bloom their hearts out.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
Dear Meems, Although you profess to do nothing with these beautiful flowers, I cannot really believe this to be the case. I have absolutely no experience of growing any of the orchids, always underatanding them to be both difficult and problematic. Your tiny treasures look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady,
ReplyDeleteThese little beauties are wild and mostly found in woodlands growing on oaks and pines. You may have seen them and overlooked them as it would be easy to do.
Edith,
I tell you the truth only. These are WILD orchids that survive in woodlands typically and are prohibited by law to collect. My dad passed these along to me from his private garden.
You've got me thinking if there is another single plant in my garden that receives zero attention... meaning no extra watering, no food nutrients, no pruning or shaping or plucking in any fashion, or the need to cover for protection in winter. I think you've sparked a good idea for a future post. :-)
These are one of the most beautiful wonders of nature.
ReplyDeleteOh my what a lovely treat
ReplyDeleteyou gave us today. I
certainly enjoyed my visit!
~Brooke
http://creativecountrymom.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/WebGarden/261885457648?ref=ts
Meems: How lucky you can get this pass along from your Dad. I never saw this one before. This is absolutely a sweet little treasure. I can see how it adds even more nature touch to your garden.
ReplyDeleteJust amazing! So delicate looking, yet so effortless (for you).
ReplyDeleteSo glad you remembered to take photos! These are precious blooms...little gems actually.
ReplyDeleteLove pretty plants that require minimal work from me. How do you attach it to the tree?
ReplyDeleteThat little gem is ever so gorgeous. I'm glad you Dad passed it along to you otherwise I may have never known about it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh, Meems, that is a beautiful orchid! I'm always on the search for wild orchids (to photograph, not take) when I roam through the wild lands. I'm afraid the search is always a bust. I would love to find some for sale one day. Of course, my lone oak tree is so horribly choked by pothos, I would not be able to grow it there. Maybe a magnolia would do.
ReplyDeletePretty orchids, I wish I had your climate to grow tropical plants!
ReplyDeleteI love this adorable little orchid. See you can grow orchids! Did this little guy weather the cold snaps of this past winter outdoors?
ReplyDeleteWG:
ReplyDeleteThey are tacked to the tree.
Susan,
Yes, they were left on the oak trees and I never paid any attention to them until I noticed them blooming. They are wild orchids... I'm glad I can grow these. I'm going to give the others a try, too. :-)
I have written some information about this particular orchid on my website and blog, which can be found here:
ReplyDeleteFlorida Native Orchid Blog
Florida Butterfly Orchid Info Page