It has been a long and cold month here in Indiana. Not much is happening in the greenhouse. I had a couple of blooms on my winter blooming jasmine but really that has been about it.
Outdoors I have been rewarded with blooms from several plants including a ‘Royal Heritage’ Hellebore that was introduced by Briggs Nursery, various Primrose, Pansies and Erica x darleyensis ‘Mediterranean Pink.’ For those of you who do not know Latin, this is a Mediterranean Pink Heather.
We have had a couple times where the temperatures in the greenhouse fell to the mid to upper 30′s. I think the coldest was 35 degrees F. That was enough to put me into a real panic but so far there have not been any loses. Considering what I am growing out there I have been really surprised.
The lights are going off at night now to promote blooming. Today I was able to pot up two of the Miniature Roses ‘Angel Wings’ that had germinated months ago. I put them into tiny Jiffy Pots filled with seed starting mix and watered them in with fertilized water. I am currently using Algoflash which I ordered from Wayside Gardens. These two tiny plants will remain indoors for a week or so. I think they will adjust to the transplant better at a higher temperature.
In the greenhouse I sprinkled the plants in soil with a slow release fertilizer that I picked up at Wal-Mart for $1.97. I used the entire box and do not remember the brand name. I also gave the plants a foliar feeding with the GardenSafe Brand fertilizer that Wal-Msrt sells which is made of sugar beets. The fertilizer is a dark black in color and very nasty looking as well as thick but it did a nice job last summer on the outdoor plants and is safe for edibles. I also continue to use Messanger on my plants.
The Orchid that has been in spike for several months now still has not bloomed. The buds continue to swell however.Be sure to watch this space for more updates. I am sure over the next few weeks lots of things will be happening in both the greenhouse and gardens.
Today was extremely cold. I brought the plants into the greenhouse that were still outside including a variety of Orchids.
I looked at the peat pots that I had started on September 27th and found that the Tropaeolum peregrinum ‘Canary Creeper Vine’ as well as the Robinia pseudoacacia had germinated. I also noticed a bit of bacteria beginning to show on some of the Camellia seeds so I decided not to replace the lid.
Filed under Flower Gardening, In The Greenhouse, Orchids, Seed Starting by on Oct 1st, 2003. Comment. 
The Ophrys genus is native to Central & South Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor, and in Asia in the Caucasus Mountains. Commonly called “Bee Orchids,” these beautiful terrestrial orchids resemble insects, and are difficult to grow and keep in good shape in cultivation for more than a year. The Ophrys genus consists of about 30 species. The plants flower lip resembles different insects, depending on the particular species, most commonly resembling flies or bees, thus the reason for their common name.
In their native habitat, they inhabit open grassy or stone slopes, and prefer a chalky underground. Most interesting is their method of pollination, which involves the pseudocopulation of males of some solitary bee species, which are attracted by a combination of the shape and the smell of the flowers. Ophrys require good drainage, with frost-free conditions. Once they have flowered, they must be kept almost dry until flowering begins again then carefully watered.
The Ophrys Scolofax grows up to 15” tall, as do most of the Ophrys species, and is native to South Europe.
One source for the Ophrys Scolofax is Paul Christian Rare Plants who also carry other Ophrys.
Other common varieties of Ophrys include Ophrys Apifera , Ophrys Arachnites, Ophrys Aranifera, Ophrys Bertoloni, Ophrys Bombylifera, Ophrys Cornuta , Ophrys Fusca , Ophrys Lutea , Ophrys Muscifera,Ophrys Speculum, and Ophrys Sphegodes.
These are some of the more interesting plants that I have come across, and although I have never tried to grow one yet, Ophrys are definately on my wish list.
Until next week, happy gardening.
Filed under Orchids by on Mar 26th, 2001. Comment.
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