| The small terrestrial orchid Pterygodium.volucris
(centre front on photo) can grow happy in
the same conditions as the aloes in the garden. The name orchid usually goes with
pretty or very odd flowers, but not in the case of this small orchid. The
tiny flowers
are plain and the same color as the leaves so that it is easy to overlook them.
The neat attractive plants
grow very easy. Pterygodium.volucris is from the
winter rainfall area so it needs rest in summer and water in winter. It can remain
in the ground in a dry climate.
The leaves in the background are from the Paintbrush lily Haemanthus coccinius. The Paintbrush lily sends out the flower first, then the leaves. The leaves measure, each 39 cm long and 17 cm wide. In inches that is roughly 16 inches long and 7 inches wide. I measured them. The little blue aloe is a hybrid growing without asking anything. I would have liked to ask it to make an offshoot or two, but it seems that is not going to happen.
Photo above: The Paintbrush lily bloom. The winter rain has started and the dry patches between the aloes are turning green - soon there will be flowers all over. For now we enjoy the green and the anticipation. |
