Latest Pictures from Fakahatchee

[flhiker]

Hi all, Latest picture of a spiking ghost orchid I found about 5 weeks ago. Also some other orchids and a bunch of floating logs

[Phantasm]

That's quite a herd of floating logs! It would be a fun swim...

[Swamper]

Hello, I was just wondering since you live up north quite a bit, do you visit the Fak often? How many times did you go before you saw the ghost? did you go alone or on a group hike?
Sorry for all the questions but I go so often and don't se any,although yesterday I went and saw an orchid that might be a ghost but since there was no flower or stem its kinda hard to tell specially for a newbee. Thanks for any light you can shed.

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by Swamper

Hello, I was just wondering since you live up north quite a bit, do you visit the Fak often? How many times did you go before you saw the ghost? did you go alone or on a group hike?
Sorry for all the questions but I go so often and don't se any,although yesterday I went and saw an orchid that might be a ghost but since there was no flower or stem its kinda hard to tell specially for a newbee. Thanks for any light you can shed.

Hi Swamper, Nice to talk to another that shares my passion. I live due East of the strand it is about a 90 mile trip one way. I have been going regularly for a year now and go about an average of 2 times a month. Believe it or not I found my first one the second time I went out. I have a couple of Buddy's that I hike and explore the glades with. I don't recommend going alone unless you stay near the road. There are 3 leafless orchids that live in the Strand one is the Harrisella and it is very tiny. And the most common to find is the Ribbon orchid it has very distinctive roots, they are dark green and very flat. And the Ghost orchid has little white specks on the roots. Once you know what to look for it is easier to find. I know of a least where a dozen or more are located. These picture are in order Harrisella, Ribbon Orchid, and The Ghost Orchid
Post a Picture of what you found I would love to see it or any pictures of your trip into the strand.

[Royal]

Great shots, and great explanation. I learned something today! That Harisella is so small - you must walk reeaally ssllloooww.

[Swamper]

That's great info. I found the ribbon yesterday from your pic and discription. I can't believe you found it on the second trip. I go every tuesday. Been looking for a month. I go with a friend who's just as anxious to find one.
Here's some more questions,
Do you find the ghost on one specific type tree? Specifict height range? Do they usually grow next to or alone by themselves. I can't imagine that they care but maybe they just latch on to something specific. I hope the answer IS NOT they can be anywhere on anything LOL that would really s**# for me.
I've been looking 1.near water. 2.shaded area. 3.popash and pond apple trees.
Maybe I shouldn't be asking for help but I'm a little bit frustrated right now, although enjoying the journey

[cirillonb]

I'm excited about your find. I've only been doing orchids for about 6 months. My wife has a place in Naples that we visited 2 weeks ago. We drove up to the state preserve but were discouraged by the lack of information. I'm older and not in great shape so we didn't wander too much from the road. I would love to hear were you go in and if you have any references regarding the geography in there.
Nick Cirillo

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by Swamper

That's great info. I found the ribbon yesterday from your pic and discription. I can't believe you found it on the second trip. I go every tuesday. Been looking for a month. I go with a friend who's just as anxious to find one.
Here's some more questions,
Do you find the ghost on one specific type tree? Specifict height range? Do they usually grow next to or alone by themselves. I can't imagine that they care but maybe they just latch on to something specific. I hope the answer IS NOT they can be anywhere on anything LOL that would really s**# for me.
I've been looking 1.near water. 2.shaded area. 3.popash and pond apple trees.
Maybe I shouldn't be asking for help but I'm a little bit frustrated right now, although enjoying the journey

I find most of them on Pop ash but have found them on pond apple. You are doing everything right. I have seen them 12 feet, but mostly eye level. I guarantee that when you do find one it will make all the searching worth it. Although finding 1 is the easy part finding 1 that is going to flower is the hard part. I usually go on the weekend would you like me let you know when I will be there?

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by cirillonb

I'm excited about your find. I've only been doing orchids for about 6 months. My wife has a place in Naples that we visited 2 weeks ago. We drove up to the state preserve but were discouraged by the lack of information. I'm older and not in great shape so we didn't wander too much from the road. I would love to hear were you go in and if you have any references regarding the geography in there.
Nick Cirillo

I hear ya! about the info. The office is closed on the weekend (when most tourist are there). Although you can get a map in the mailbox attached to the bulletin board. The entire preserve has much to offer but if it is orchids you want to see I would suggest to park at gate 12 there you can go in to the west and there are many orchid within 100 ft. from the road. Or you can walk up east main trail and walk in on either side and find them there as well. I see many well into there sixty walking in.

[Swamper]

yes I would like very very much I usually work weekends but given time to play with my work schedule I would love to...basically just say when...it would be enough for you to point me in the right direction...Thanks