Orchid hunting

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Hornbeam, Jul 3, 2006.

  1. Hornbeam

    Hornbeam Gardener

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    Orchid hunting is fun and in yesterday's heat, I was sloshing around in the fens of the Waveney valley in Suffolk. I was searching for the Marsh Helleborine - quite scarce and one I have never seen before. I looked all day and found just one:
    [​IMG]

    A closer look at the exotic flowers
    [​IMG]

    These fens are strange because they are made up of sandy heaths and black peat. So acid and alkali loving plants grow next to each other! There were lots of orchids, but I couldn't figure out what sort they were. Then I realised that Marsh Orchids and Spotted Orchids were hybridising, giving lots of different colours and shapes. See what I mean:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    This is a fantastic summer for wild flowers and for orchids :D
     
  2. Kandy

    Kandy Will be glad to see the sun again soon.....

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    BRILLIANT.Lovely pictures again Hornbeam.I have only seen the Marsh Helleborine in wild flower books,and it is nice to see that they can be found.

    Kandy
     
  3. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Great pictures Hornbeam - I'm jealous.

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  4. floris

    floris Gardener

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    Excellent pictures - such details - you must have a top class camera. Well done.
     
  5. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Hi Hornbeam

    I don't know if this would be classified as a wild orchid. I found it growing wild but it was in its, presumably, native country of Hawaii.

    I've reduced the picture to 25% but it still seems too big. HELP!!!

    [​IMG]
     
  6. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Now its gone too small! I'll try again.
     
  7. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Here goes!!!

    Its not working I'll try again later.
     
  8. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Nathan

    Please delete my picture as it is a nuisance that size.

    Sorry
     
  9. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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  10. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Sorry everyone,

    I finally managed to resize it correctly on photobucket.

    Trouble is - I'll probably forget how to do by tomorrow!
    ------------
    shiney
     
  11. Hornbeam

    Hornbeam Gardener

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    Glad you got your size sorted. Lovely orchid and if you found it growing wild in Hawaii then yes - it's a wild orchid.
     
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