I keep orchids. I wish I could say I grow orchids, but in reality I acquire them, try to do what I read or hear works, and they usually manage to make it. Sometimes they even bloom.
In January of 2007, on a trip to Chichen Itza with friends I acquired this orchid. (don't ask)
It was in loose rubble of stones and woody debris. I decided since I found it in ground I'd plant it in ground, this is called terrestrial.
It was in loose rubble of stones and woody debris. I decided since I found it in ground I'd plant it in ground, this is called terrestrial.Orchids are quite difficult to name until they bloom. For whatever reason I have not been able to find a source to identify orchids by leaf, only by bloom.
Therefore until it bloomed this was just simply my Chichen Orchid.
So, I have had this orchid since January 2007 and it is blooming. This is a small plant and the blooms are no bigger than a dime. The flowers are not flashy or showy, and in all honesty kind of a boring little flower, but hey, it's mine, and it's blooming. I'm thrilled.
the pencil is for scale, just a standard #2 type pencil
According to my Orchid book this particular orchid is NOT native to the Yucatan, but is considered a noxious weed. This plant made it's way to the N.American continent from Asia in grass seed.
I don't have the ability to take a good close-up so have pulled this photo from the internet just so you can see a good representation.
Oeceoclades maculata - Photo © Peter M.C. Werner