The Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve Park is home to the largest collection of native orchid species and bromeliads in North America. It is also home to the Florida panther, black bear, Everglades mink, and the wood stork. It is the largest strand swamp on the continent and was the featured location for the Orchid Thief and the movie “Adaptation”.
This spectacular natural landscape is located approximately 75 minutes by car west of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. On February 26, 2011, the Friends of the Fakahatchee will be hosting the annual “safari”. Visitors can participate in guided swamp walks, birding walks, photo workshops, and scenic tram rides as well as wildlife presentations, a camp fire program, and a cookout. Swamp buggy rides will also be available. All profits will go to support the preserve. For more information call 239-695-2905.
The flowers are produced during the winter and early spring. New growth begins shortly after flowering finishes in the early spring and continues to August. The sheaths are formed when the growth matures but the flower buds do not start to grow until November. Give typical cattleya growing conditions – very bright light is a must. There are some additional varieties available such as C. trianae v mooreana which has a dark splash on each petal. At one time there were more named variety of this species than any other Cattleya. Cattleya trianae is endangered in its natural habitat as a result of environmental degradation and urbanization.
Species of the month: Eria rosea
January 2011
Of these, M. picta is one of the prettiest. This warn to cool growing species is native to Brazil and Argentina and blooms from winter to spring. The fragrant yellow flowers are marked with red and have white lips and a mature plant can make a spectacular display when it’s in bloom.
A Florida native, also found in the Caribbean and Mexico in dry scrub forest and tropical deciduous forests as a hot to warm growing miniature to small sized epiphyte. It is found from sea level to 150 meters in elevation, it is commonly called the dollar orchid for the shape of it pseudobulbs; it grows best on a mount in bright light and blooms in the summer.
Like many cattleya species, other color forms include alba, semi-alba, and coerulea, as well as its normal pink. These plants are fragrant, although the scent is not pleasing to all.
It is an easy to grow miniature which blooms from summer to fall on an inflorescence which carries between 6 to 8 inch long flowers in a loose umbel above the foliage. Well grown plants can be very floriferous and give quite a display.
It will thrive in temperatures from 20 degrees F. (-5 degrees C) to 100 degrees F (32 degrees F) as long as it is given enough moisture. It is known as a vigorous grower of medium size with long inflorescences from which it will have 3-5 lavender flowers measuring three to four inches. They are known for their Christmas blooming period although they can bloom from November to January.
September 2010