| The small terrestrial orchid Pterygodium.volucris can grow happy in
the same conditions as the aloes in the garden. The name orchid usually goes with
pretty or very odd flowers, but not in the case of this small orchid. The flowers
are so plain and the same color as the leaves so that it is easy to overlook them.
The plants are neat and they grow very easy. Pterygodium.volucris is from the
winter rainfall area so it needs rest in summer and water in winter. It can remain
in the ground in a dry climate.
The orchids grow next to the Paintbrush lily Haemanthus coccinius (photo above) which bloomed a few weeks ago. The leaves in the background are from another lily Amaryllis belladonna.
The two large leaves are from the Paintbrush lily Haemanthus coccinius. The Paintbrush lily sends out the flower first, then the leaves. They measure, each 39 cm long and 17 cm wide. In inches that is roughly 16 inches long and 7 inches wide. I measured them. The little blue aloe is a hybrid growing without asking anything. I would have liked to ask it to make an offshoot or two, but it is not going to happen. The winter rain has started and the dry patches between the aloes are turning green - soon there will be flowers all over. For now we enjoy the green and the anticipation. |
