Fakahachee state park Florida
 

So this past Tuesday me and my friend Hector went for the first time to Fakahachee state park. Supposedly, this is the place with the most wild orchids in one spot in the whole entire USA - 44 orchids growing in situ! We were hoping to see many different species, and especially some of the leafless orchids (ghost orchid or jingle bell orchid), but through our whole day hike we did find only dozen of Encyclia tampensis and thousands of tillandsia and bromelia plants. It was great day, but hopefully next visit will have better results!

Fakahachee state park Florida
 

Nice pictures of other plants besides orchids! The state park's name almost reads like something naughty. LOL!

Beautiful photos of a truly unique environment in this world. The blending of the New World Tropics with subtropical and even temperate Eastern United States flora and fauna. I would love to visit someday as a day trip when I am down in South Florida. Other threads on here have had good things to say about the East Main Tram and the K2 trails. Bring a guide and you may even be lucky enough to spot a ghost orchid! Encyclia tampensis is a beautiful orchid and can be found in natural areas throughout much of South and even Central FL north to the Orlando area. Did you see any Guzmania monostachia?

Very true, and yes, East Main Trail was much better than the west one! We saw many Guzmania monostachia:-) I will try couple more times alone, and if not luck, the guided orchid tours are at fall, will definitely take one!

I'm assuming that blooming brom is a Tillandsia variabilis? I have a couple of those, sitting around in my collection right now, but they're still young, so I haven't seen them in flower yet. Really cool.

Here you go.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z...o/DSC_0060.JPG
Growing in the wilds of a greenhouse a few miles south of San Francisco. :rofl::rofl::rofl:

How is the bugs situation? I'd like to see the ghost in it's native habitat someday but you know, it's Florida. ;)

Wow! Awesome!

with a lot of spray, bugs are ok. But it is hot hell nowadays, better to come in fall or early spring :-)

I was there last Saturday and the bugs were non-existent then. Yep saw some Guzmania monostachia!

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05...19f3ccadd3.jpg

Beautiful Tommy! I would love to spend some time there hunting orchids with my camera in hand. I've grown Tillandsia for several years and they are amazing plants. Thanks for sharing your day!