Star Blooms of 2013

Now that the year is drawing to a close it is good to look back on some of the magical moments of the time of year . I will bulge out today with my two favourite hardy orchid . They were so alien and so gorgeous that I felt like having a party for them and introducing them with drum rolls and a horn fanfare . In the ending I had to content myself with showing them to the Pianist who said vaguely : ‘ Very nice dear ’ . I also showed them to a passer - by who was walking her dog but she was n’t very concerned either . And her dog took reward of the situation by doing a big poo on the lawn which she pretended not to notice . It serves me right for show off . But I ’m going to show off now . So here they are.(Drum roll . )

Cypripedium reginae

genus Cypripedium kentuckiense

I ca n’t take mention for these two beautifulCypripediumsthough . I did n’t grow them myself and lovingly nurture them from babyhood . I bought them . They were eye - wateringly expensive but I did n’t buy them both together ; that would have been too extravagant . One I bought at the Spring Plant clean at Helmingham Hall . The other came from a baby’s room in Norfolk . They are notoriously dodgy so if I can keep them snuff it then I will feel justified in boasting about them .

These Lady ’s skidder orchids come from Tennessee and require moisture yet sharp drainage . I can never get my head round this oxymoron . If you have sharp drainage then how can it be moist ? ApparentlyCypripedium reginaeneeds more moisture than other ‘ Cyps ’ . Both of them ask a mulch of compost pine needles- fine I can deal that . genus Cypripedium kentuckiensegrows on river banks and so should have been planted in river guts . Well it ’s too late for that now , I ’m not going to dig it up and replant it , they have very touchy root word . Besides where on earth would I get river sand ? I can see I am going to have dateless fun and concern essay to keep these two high - maintenance beauty satisfied . But that ’s what gardening ’s all about .

If you would care to stress grow hardy orchids then a good Koran on the field is ‘ Growing Hardy Orchids ’ by John Tullock .

8 Responses toStar Blooms of 2013

Those are lovely – I do wish you success on pandering to their needs . Moist but well drained leaves me scratching my head too !

They are genuinely beautiful … I have a go at it hardy orchidaceous plant , and must start to constitute some in the spring . I ’m gong to put them on my list , thanks for reminding me .

PS , I had quite the time tracking down your blog , I saw your comment , and wanted to visit , but for some reason WP says you do n’t exist .

Thanks so much for drop by .

Jen

Star Blooms of 2013