I got myself another orchid fix today

[bil]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Naoki posted some nice study pics of Calypso bulbosa in Alaska.

Ok, thanks for that. I still can't get my head around the fact that Alaska has so many compared with Hawaii, where I would expect a profusion.

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by bil

Ok, thanks for that. I still can't get my head around the fact that Alaska has so many compared with Hawaii, where I would expect a profusion.

I think it's because Hawaii is relatively young (geologically) and being volcanic, was sort of sterile (didn't split off with species from a larger land mass). Whatever species that are in Alaska had time to evolve.

That's my unqualified opinion, anyway.

[bil]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

I think it's because Hawaii is relatively young (geologically) and being volcanic, was sort of sterile (didn't split off with species from a larger land mass). Whatever species that are in Alaska had time to evolve.

That's my unqualified opinion, anyway.

Makes sense from an age point of view. Orchids are supposed to be the plants with the most number of species after grass (which is in the number one spot).

[voyager]

Originally Posted by bil

Ok, thanks for that. I still can't get my head around the fact that Alaska has so many compared with Hawaii, where I would expect a profusion.

What I think it shows is how versatile and adaptable orchids are.
When I looked up Hawai'ian native orchids, I found that one of them was a Platanthera. There are quite a few Platanthera species found throughout Canada, Alaska and some Northern Tier states.
The web article speculated that the Hawai'ian Platanthera species was an adapted migrant from the Aleutians, from the tropics to a subarctic environment, then back to a sub tropical area.
That is adaptability.

[bil]

Originally Posted by voyager

What I think it shows is how versatile and adaptable orchids are.
When I looked up Hawai'ian native orchids, I found that one of them was a Platanthera. There are quite a few Platanthera species found throughout Canada, Alaska and some Northern Tier states.
The web article speculated that the Hawai'ian Platanthera species was an adapted migrant from the Aleutians, from the tropics to a subarctic environment, then back to a sub tropical area.
That is adaptability.

Yep, that really is.

[lotis146]

Interesting thread overall... I'm a bit envious of your locale and growing conditions, especially as things cool off around here! But hey, good for you! And wow I too thought you must have spent your week's groceries and then some on that haul but $100, wow, nice. Sounds like you've got a lot to look forward to.

The task of bringing my plants inside and finding them the best place to "chill" for the winter helped me jump back on the wagon, i think i jumped in front of it, forced them to pick me up. Then again I trail eBay and came across a Zygo hybrid I'd not found before so ya know, had to have it...should be here tomorrow. I'm back on the wagon till the Illinois Orchid Show, presuming I can make it.

But you go, snatch those Orchids up and make us all jealous.

[bil]

Originally Posted by lotis146

And wow I too thought you must have spent your week's groceries and then some on that haul but $100, wow, nice.

I see. SOMEONE obviously hasn't got their priorities right.

So you spend the week's groceries? I see it as a diet plan.

[voyager]

Originally Posted by lotis146

Interesting thread overall... I'm a bit envious of your locale and growing conditions, especially as things cool off around here! But hey, good for you! And wow I too thought you must have spent your week's groceries and then some on that haul but $100, wow, nice. Sounds like you've got a lot to look forward to.

The task of bringing my plants inside and finding them the best place to "chill" for the winter helped me jump back on the wagon, i think i jumped in front of it, forced them to pick me up. Then again I trail eBay and came across a Zygo hybrid I'd not found before so ya know, had to have it...should be here tomorrow. I'm back on the wagon till the Illinois Orchid Show, presuming I can make it.

But you go, snatch those Orchids up and make us all jealous.

Yes, ma'am.
I can manage that.

Giving my Dendrobiums their winter rest was actually not a problem.
I played outdoors the year 'round.
15 below was my cutoff temp for playing outdoors in the winter.
Lower than that and I couldn't generate enough body heat to stay warm enough without working up a sweat.
So, house night temps approaching 60F were not a problem.
My cool-dry-rest Den's loved it.
And, I loved it when they bloomed in the late winter - early spring.

Not being able to place orchid orders 7 to 8 month or more out of a year due to frost possibilities was one of the hardest things about growing in Alaska.
I lost more than one order due to the mail container being left out overnight on the tarmac.
Now, I don't need to even consider having to bring them in at night any time of year.

---------- Post added at 10:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:40 AM ----------

Originally Posted by bil

I see. SOMEONE obviously hasn't got their priorities right.

So you spend the week's groceries? I see it as a diet plan.

You tell her, bil.
More orchids, then, food!

[bil]

It's the Orchid Diet! We could make millions!

All we need is a book and a dvd and we are on our way.

[voyager]

That's the entrepreneurial spirit bil.
Then, we can require them to purchase my weed orchids at greatly inflated prices in order to make the diet effective for them, and get the weeds off my property.
I think we've got a winner here.