Our Early Autumn Garden
I’ve got garden pictures to share, but mostly this post is a chance to brag about my Epidendrum, which has been in constant bloom for over 17 years. It began flowering in early 2003, and has never stopped. Through heat waves, driving rains, light frosts, strong winds, pounding hailstorms, pest attacks, and smoky conditions, it persists. Each red and yellow blossom lasts a week or more. A constant resupply of buds crowns the flower spikes, which grow taller until they exhaust themselves. Then they’re replaced by new growth and fresh spikes. The plant itself is about 4 feet (1.2 m) tall by 3 feet (0.9 m) wide, and it lives outdoors all year. It’s a keiki factory, and for years, I’ve given babies to friends and neighbors.
The other garden pictures begin with a brilliant orange California Poppy. There’s also a bright pink Cochlioda vulcanica. It’s a very reliable miniature cool grower, now known as Oncidium vulcanicum. The last two photos show a praying mantis that’s been happily living in one of my Cymbidiums. No matter its alien appearance, I’m happy to have this predator making its home in our garden. It can help itself to all the pests it wants. Whenever I water, it runs up the leaves like it’s greeting me. Really, it’s just trying to escape the cool shower from the hose.
Explore posts in the same categories: Cool Growers, Mini Orchids, Photos
Subscribe to the About Orchids Blog:
