h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Most days i go for a wander round my garden, just generally looking at whats is growing or coming into flower.
Every year before i start mowing the grass again, i do a real down to the ground inspection.....ok this sounds a little odd i guess The reason i do this is i'm looking to see if i have anymore wild Orchids. Some of them grow their leaves over winter, so i want to spot them before i start mowing the grass. I'm always hopeful that the ones that grow already will mulitply and i have visions of a whole area covered in Bee Orchids and Common Spotted Orchids.
Today i found the new Bee Orchid! It's fairly mature, so should flower this year I'm so excited at the prospect of having another wild Orchid flower in my garden

That's brilliant Venus - I've never been that lucky; but I think I am quite a bit further North than you up in Derbyshire - keep us posted.

Venus, my son used to work on a nature reserve which had bee orchids. They are so pretty. It also had scarlet pimpernel which I had never seen. I really think the wild flowers, even so called weeds, are so pretty and delicate, yet tough.

I hope it thrives. A piccy would be nice some time if it does.

Websailor

Hi Scorp
You know, some of the best places for wild Orchids is up north. The Yorkshire national park has many Orchids, even Scotland is a good place for them. So you never know your luck

Hi Webbie
I love wild flowers, they have a beauty all of their own. Maybe i should'nt mention the Scarlet Pimpernel that i've been nurturing for the past year
Being organic definately has it's advantages

You can see photos of my other Bee Orchid and Spotted Orchid here <./>http://www.venus-garden.fotki.com</.>

Venus, I was intrigued by the slipper orchid. Isn't that very rare? I thought there was only one site in the UK where it appeared, and it is protected, or am I a mixed up ?

Websailor

Oh my, that slipper Orchid is not a Cypripedium (sp?) which is indeed very rare, i only know of one small colony in a secret place in Yorkshires national park.
The slipper Orchid in the photo is a tropical variety which i grow in the house. It has a different latin name Paphilopedium, again i'm not sure of the spelling. It flowered for 8 months!

Lovely photos you have in your album.

Thanks B'el

Like B'El, I really appreciated the chance to look at the pictures Venus - thank you so much.

I'm glad you liked them.

She does indeed have some lovely things in her garden. And some 'unusual'. We really wished we could have seen it earlier in the season.

In any case, a whoo-hoo and reguarding your new orchid, Lady Goddess.

Made a start on the photo album. Certainly can see why you're so excited about the wild orchids.

Hey ickle snail, i havent you around for a very long time

It takes a lot of time to find a live keyboard at a cyber-cafe. I don't move so quickly, you know.

It's a great find Venus! I have to be honest. I only knwo one kind of orchid, so it's bound to be a treat to come across ones like yours!

It makes me wonder how often people have gone over them with the lawnmower!

KB
The numbers increased by four since i first posted thid journal I'm really pleased, though i think i'll be cursing when i try and mow in that area

I found 3 more Bee Orchids today, that brings the total up to 13. I'll have to hunt for at least one more, 13 being an unlucky number after all

It's not entire plants you count though. It's the number of roots.