Holy Ghost blooms @ FMG
 

The 'Holy Ghost' orchid is blooming at Fredrick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan and I don't have a digital camera! :angry:

Peristeria elata aka Holy Ghost orchid, Holy Spirit orchid, Dove orchid. see IOSPE PHOTOS

National flower of Panama. Sends up a flower spike about3' to 4' high. Waxy white flowers look like an Easter egg with a little white dove accented with red spots inside. Amazing scent like a combination of mint and roses. :drool:

History of this plant: Came from the personal collection of the 'Orchid Man' who started the orchid collection at Meijer Gardens. He had it for 15 years and it had never bloomed. A few years after he brought it to our greenhouse, it bloomed for the first time. He got to see it. Seven years later it bloomed again. Unfortunately our 'Orchid Man' had retired (82 years old and 10,000+ volunteer hours) and never saw the second blooming. Now two years later it has just begun its third blooming.

As it gets older, the frequency of time between blooms seems to be getting shorter. Don't know if that is common, or is just this plant, or it is getting happier, or just circumstance. It is the only one of this type that we have. :)

Marilyn, or any of you in the Grand Rapids area, come and take some pictures that you can post for all to enjoy. Please, please, please! :photo: If it follows its former pattern of bloom time, it should be in flower for about 4 weeks. 6 flowers are now open and there are more buds forming up the bloom spike. :D :D

You can send the Peristeria elata to me and I promise to take a nice picture of it :D

Well, that's a right generous offer and seems so reasonable. :coverlaugh: However, since I only volunteer there and don't own the plant, would probably find myself drawn and quartered. :bad:

Oh well...I had to try ;)

That particular plant is like my Holy Grail...I love it and just haven't had any luck in finding a nice full sized one :bua:

Someday... :crossfing :crossfing :crossfing

Marilyn, where are you!? I'll be there next Staurday to pick up relatives at GRR. Maybe I can arange a visit earlier in day? How long will you be there?

Ross, just go on over to the Gardens. They open at 9am. I usually get there around 10:30 or so, but if I know that you will be there at a particular time, I can make a point of meeting you and giving you a tour (behind the scenes). By all means, bring your camera.

Sue

I'll keep my fingers crossed with you in hopes that you will find a real nice one very soon. :crossfing :Tup::crossfing :Tup: :crossfing

Check PM

Sue - in my travels around the net, I recently saw one at Angel Street Orchids but it's only in a 2 inch pot :(
Peristeria elata
Thought I would let you know anyway :D

Oh Sue, with your growing talent and climate..........go for it!!!
Such a beautiful orchid, what a joy it would be to bring it to flower!
Al

Dorothy, you are a wonder.
Al