Flowers in all Forms

Each orchid is a miracle of perfect form and colour. No artist could imagine the colours, patterns and shapes of the orchids of the world. According to my “Tropical Garden Plants” book, there are some 20,000 to 25,000 orchid species, making the orchid family one of the largest clan of flowering plants. Primeval with their beauty and their hothouse fragrances, they sum up the exotic. Whether a spectacular white spray of The Virgin orchid on a towering Samaan or a bright Vanda like the one below, they never fail to delight. Orchids have been popular since the early 19^th century when they were grown in the hot houses of Europe. Seen as highly sophisticated, they were much sought after as a status symbol. In the early collecting frenzy of the 19th century, the most popular orchids were the species orchids, which are indigenous varieties in their natural habitat. Wealthy aristocrats sent scouts out to tropical locations to bring back the prime specimens and highly contested auctions were often held to bid for rare samples. By the end of the century, hybrids had begun to take the place of species orchids. Even today, species varieties are primarily grown by collectors. Orchids have long been associated with the tropics but they can also be found in temperate climates. Most found in the tropics are epiphytes which is to say that even though the structure of the plant consists of roots, stems, leaves and flowers, they are not terrestrial but rather grow on trees or rocks and source their nourishment from rain, dust and debris. While the expression "hothouse orchid" was coined to describe a delicate and frail beauty, the namesake is actually a tough plant which has evolved to thrive in the most inhospitable of places.

Aren't these cakes gorgeous? Wedding cakes are still a big thing here and the making of icing flowers is an art. I was really blown away by the time spent by these two students in creating such fine work. While I was visiting, (Dawn is actually a physical therapist who does work with a laser) I took the opportunity to shoot some of her father's orchids. All in all quite a flower filled morning.

Hayley and Dante

Hayley and Dante have grown up together. He is our de facto baby and is spoilt rotten. He enjoys kisses, being held upside down and lying on my page and blinking at me while I'm reading. His other pet projects are torturing Suzy, our other feline, and lying on his back thinking about the world. Keep an eye out for his blog which should be on line soon,

This is my home. Everyone is having a really lazy morning and just lolling around. Today was Corpus Christi and I didn't plant anything. It's a big tradition here in Trinidad that anything planted today will do very well and the plant shops usually do a booming trade.

My miniature pink banana is about to bloom. If you look closely in the picture you can see the little pink bananas developing. I really like this banana because of its size. Most of the heliconias and bananas tend to get very territorial and march their way across everything in their paths.
It will be a pleasure to grow one that is manageable.
It is too early to photograph them but my Sexy Orange heliconias are right on schedule. They are seasonal, unlike the Sexy Pink and the Sexy Red which bloom all year round. Sexy Orange begins blooming at the beginning of June and runs until about September. I'm just starting to see the tips of the blooms.
I am hoping to have shampoo gingers for the first time this year. I planted them last year and they are quite sturdy and should bloom soon.

My Petrea is dropping all of its flowers. By the time they dry on the tree , they become little airborne helicopters that whiz down to the ground. This particular bunch collected in the leaves of my "She" heliconia which is just below the petreas. My petreas are not spectacular. I think that it must have something to do with the soil. My mother lives in Blue Range which is quite a lush valley and there is a huge difference in her tree. My soil , I suspect, is not rich enough as we are on a slope.

Shower of Gold at UWI 07

Shower of Gold at UWI 07
Originally uploaded by shrn_millar

This is my absolute favourite tree. It is Cassia Fistula commonly known as Shower of Gold and they have been magnificent this year. There is a really outstanding one in the Scouts Headquarters in St Anns.
This particular one I shot late in the evening up at UWI when we were going to hear V.S.Naipaul read so it was part of a very auspicious evening!

Michelles Photos 005

Michelles Photos 005
Originally uploaded by shrn_millar

My friend Michelle Jorsling, who is an amazing professional photographer, shot my coffee tree earlier on this year. She really does justice to it as it was quite unusual to have both berries and flowers at the same time. The blooms sometimes last only 24 hours. They are very strongly scented with a lovely, almost jasmine like smell but much stronger. When they are in bloom my entire garden is fragrant. I can only dream of what a coffee estate up on the Blue Mountains of Jamaica must smell like when in bloom. Heaven.

Coleus

Coleus
Originally uploaded by shrn_millar

Depending on the amount of sun that it gets, this coleus becomes more green or brown. With a tendency to get very leggy, it must be pruned fairly regularly. I prune and then stick the cuttings right into the bed as they root so easily. Do I know its name? Of course not. If anyone does, please post and let me know.

What kind of orchid?

What kind of orchid?
Originally uploaded by shrn_millar

This orchid is lovely and prolific. It's been in bloom now for about 4 months. It is quite strongly scented during the day but not at night.
Isn't it gorgeous? I wish I knew its name.

Garden March 2007 063

This is my front garden in March. We weren't very dry yet so everything still looked lush. My Double Chaconia was just coming into bloom.
Garden March 2007 063
Originally uploaded by shrn_millar