Newbie orchid lover from Vero Beach FL

[Dorothy]

Zeuxine strateumatica is known as Centipede Grass orchid or lawn orchid
I thought a soldier orchid was the same as a military orchid - Orchis militaris
Just to throw this out there, I found this 2007 Calendar of Florida Wild Species Orchids - Florida Native Orchids Calendar

[cb977]

The names are confusing, for sure

The one Lys has is this one: Plant of the Week 03/10/2003: Soldier's Orchid (Zeuxine strateumatica)

which is native to Florida.

Duncan calls it the "weed orchid"

[Dorothy]

Very cool
"The soldier's orchid (Zeuxine strateumatica (Linnaeus) Schlecter"
" Linnaeus originally named the plant Orchis strateumatica in 1753, taken from the Greek strateuma meaning a band, company, or army. Schlecter moved it to genus Zeuxine in 1911."
"Soldier's orchid is a 'here-now, gone-tomorrow' orchid. It emerges in winter, blooming in late December and January; within a few weeks, the plants vanish. The following year, they may return; then again, they may not."

I love knowing how or why plants get their common name ...

[lys]

Snow to be quite honest I bought the phal this size from my local fruit stand. It was only $8! Had 3 opened buds at the time. Now all 10 have bloomed. It's been about 3 months. It looks like the spike is still growing at the end- though I'm not sure!

Thanks Sunsanne, I read about the Zeux. before trying to pluck it out and keep it. It said there was not much luck with that so I decided not to bother it! I think the seeds were carried in the mulch I laid. Apparently they come from China I think.

Anyway I bought my first vanda the other day. It's a coerulea hybrid- V. Manuvadee 'sky', for $12 I couldn't pass it up! Hope I can get her to bloom. But if I face any challenges I'm sure I'll be making a new post!

[lys]

Ooh ok, you guys are fast. Hey thanks for the zeux. info! That's great!!!

[lys]

It popped up in January by the way! And that's cute, that article mentions my county (indian river). Must be it!

[cb977]

Lys, V Manuvadee is a great choice! Mine (and others' on this board) bloom a number of times per year.