When the flower stem started upwards from the bulb on this Amaryllis, it didn’t rise straight up like I’m used to seeing with these. Wanting to prop it upright, I put an orchid stick in the pot and got some bag ties to hold the stem to the stick. As soon as I stood it up, though, the stem snapped – almost in two! See the inset for the damaged stem.
Despite the damage and supported by only a thin part of the stem, these beautiful flowers emerged with a couple more on the way. Amazing.
After this week’s Monday blues, we both needed to think some happy thoughts. We were upset with Arnold, political shenanigans in congress, media lies and news suppression and mass hysteria over the climate non-problem. You know – the usual.
Take a deep breath and enjoy these prize-winning phalaenopsis orchids. Woooo-saaaa . . .
Click the pic for big.
Today we will be going back to the South Coast Botanic Garden for a plant sale and to visit the rest of the garden.
One of the prettiest flowers growing in the Garden is this striking red and white Dahlia. I took this picture last week at the orchid show. Click for the big picture (which hardly does this beautiful flower justice – you had to be there).
Here are some interesting facts about Dahlias:
Aztecs collected or cultivated Dahlias as early as the 15th century. Flowers were depicted in cave drawings and hieroglyphics credited to the Aztecs of the 14th and possibly of the 13th century. It was used as a religious symbol and for medicinal and cultural rather than aesthetic purposes. Dahlia tubers were an important food source for the Aztecs indeed to this day. the Indians of central Mexico rely on the tubers as a valuable part of their diet. It was woven into clothing for the Royal family, warriors shields, breast plates, necklaces, etc.
The first encounter by other than the peoples of Mexico seems to be well established as made by a Spanish citizen, Francisco Hernandez who was sent to Mexico in 1570 to investigate the “natural resources of “New Spain.” The first published pictures were drawings by an Hidalgo Gentleman, Francisco Dominguez who accompanied Hernandez on at least some part of his explorations. Both the report and drawings were published at Rome, but not until 1651, about seventy five years after first produced. Prior to publication the report was translated to Latin, and later to English. Little recorded information is found concerning the next 126 years.
(Source: dahlia.org.)
Just a few steps away from the orchid show we went to over the weekend, is the botanic gardens. One of our favorite sections is the cactus and succulent garden. You will find many strange and beautiful varieties such as this beautifully symmetrical member of the agavaceae family, which is closely related to yucca, aloe and agave. Click on the image below for the larger version.
Friday, when we passed the floral section at the supermarket, we saw these nice phalaenopsis orchids on display. So, as an early valentine, we decided to get one. I took this shot of this beautiful flower this morning.
Known as the “moth orchid” due to its resemblance to some tropical moths, the phalaenopsis is native to the Asiatic tropics, India, Indonesia and the Philippines. This lovely and delicate plant is now a welcome adornment to our kitchen counter under the skylight.
