Terrestrial Orchids

[MattA]

Nice pics Joel, they really are the unsung gems of the australian bush.

Shibui, as well as your extensive knowledge it would be great if you could add some pics of your treasures

[shibui]

Not much to show these days unfortunately Matt. Years ago I had an extensive collection but time, family commitments and other interests have seen the terrestrials in cultivation dwindle to just a few pots now. These days I spend more time enjoying them in their natural surroundings.
Here are a few of the locals.

Caladenia caerulea Mudgegonga 2007 2.JPG

Caladenia congesta Mt Jack tk 1.JPG

Caladenia phaeoclavia - Mudgegonga1.JPG

Corybas diemenicus - Mt Stanley 2005.JPG

Cyrtostylis reniformis Big ben 1.JPG

As you say, beautiful and so often overlooked

[shibui]

And a few of the local Pterostylis. Note that not all greenhoods are green!??!!

Pterostylis aff aciculiformis Woolshed falls 3.JPG

Pterostylis alpina Big Ben 2.JPG

Pterostylis bicolour Chiltern 1.JPG

Pterostylis plumosa, mtJack.JPG

and here's what Craig's buds should open up to

Pterostylis nutans Mudgegonga 2007 2.JPG

P. nutans is also called nodding greenhood. The flowers all have this characteristic bowed attitude.

[craigw60]

Wow Matt, thats a stunner
Nice selection of green hoods Joel, such an amazing group of plants.
Neil, I always reckon you can tell the terrestrial orchid fans because the knees on their trousers have worn out.
Craigw

[MattA]

Beautiful collection of greenhoods Joel

The bigger pot has given it a boost compared to last years 2 flowers, the second of five has started to open today.

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[MattA]

While past its 'best' the old flower continues to be a thing of beauty.

100_5187rz.jpg

The colour is a bit off today but I dont know how to fix it.

[MattA]

Not much to show these days unfortunately Matt. Years ago I had an extensive collection but time, family commitments and other interests have seen the terrestrials in cultivation dwindle to just a few pots now. These days I spend more time enjoying them in their natural surroundings.
Here are a few of the locals.
As you say, beautiful and so often overlooked

Shibui thanks for posting a fantastic pictorial collection of your local terrestrials. My collection is likewise minimal & I am happy to keep it that way, I even did my own seed prop in the 90's I think many people dont see them because they are too busy with other things to slow down & look at where they put their feet.

[shibui]

Here are a few more gems from the terrestrial orchid family.

Caleana major Mallacoota.JPG

Thynninorchis huntianus - Mallacoota.JPG

Isn't nature great. you could hardly design anything better if you tried.

And a few of my rarer local species

Caladenia concolour Mudgegonga 2011 2.JPG

Diuris punctata Bonegilla 1.JPG

This one has not yet been properly identified. It might be an undescribed species. The botanists are eager to have a closer look at it this season

Caladenia sp Big Ben 2.JPG

This one is for Jow. He is quite taken with this species which is quite easy to keep in pots.

Spiranthes sinensis Pretty beach 2006 1.JPG

[MattA]

Stunning photo's Shibui. Forget designing anything better, I dont think we could even come halfway to the bizarre shapes & forms they take. Caleana major was one of my major bugbears during the 90's, collected tubers would grow but not flower, seed germinated but never survived the move from agar to soil

I missed taking a pic yesterday but here it is today, beard almost fully out...

100_5191rz.jpg

[shibui]

Are you going to try to pollinate one of the flowers Matt? Seed will sometimes germinate when sprinkled around the base of the plant.

[MattA]

Leaving it to mother nature, I found it as a dry seed stalk, it set seed last year so

If it sets seed again, I might sprinkle a few in the pot before sending off for another attempt by the best. Last year the failure was my seed collection

Tomorrow a full beard

[Jow]

This one is for Jow. He is quite taken with this species which is quite easy to keep in pots.

Spiranthes sinensis Pretty beach 2006 1.JPG

I really have to get a couple of these... Maybe a green hood or two as well. Thanks Neil.

[MattA]

Its taken 5 days to fully open but its worth the wait.

100_5200rz.jpg

The first seed pod looks to be developing so I did a bit of research, basically, it is self pollinating & can also be pollinated by a wasp. For anyone interested in the full story it makes interesting reading http://www.nativeorchids.co.nz/Journals/106/page28.htm

100_5201rz.jpg

[MattA]

One final pic as the season draws to a close, there is a beauty to it even now.

100_5526rz.jpg

The first pod was picked straight after the pic & after allowing a few days for all the seed to be dispersed this is the result, it doesn't look like much...

100_5603rz.jpg

After tipping into the seed packets the remaining bit of dust still gives me loads to plant back into the mother pot to see if I can germinate some, I know a few here wouldn't say no to a tuber

100_5604rz.jpg

The second pod was picked today, once dry it will also be packed and then both lots sent to Western Orchids in South Australia, if anyone is going to have success it is these guys.

100_5617rz.jpg

I look forward to next season & maybe the apearance of some seedlings

Ps: heres a link the thread on how to make the seed packs viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13346

[shibui]

Hi native orchid lovers.
I have repotted my terrestrial orchids. Pterostylis nutans and Pterostylis curta have both produced extra tubers so I have a few of each available. Anyone interested?