GPOD on the Road: Monteverde Orchid Garden, Part 1

An impromptu garden visit during a tropical getaway turns into a stunning introduction into the world of orchids

Happy Friday GPODers !

Last calendar month we had two client position fromFine Gardening‘s digital editor program , Christine Alexander , who shared some behind - the - scenes photos from a declension TV shoot atCoastal Maine Botanical Garden(If you drop those , be sure to check outPart 1andPart 2 ) . Today , Christine is involve us to a drastically different public garden , as we revisit her trip toMonteverde Orchid Gardenin Costa Rica . This concealed muffin is turn up in the lush ( and rare ) cloud forests of the Puntarenas province , which are teaming with biodiversity and the sodding climate for this mythological array of exotic , tropical plant life .

So this submission is very late in amount , but as an exculpation – there has been a lot going on ! My married man and I were supposed to be marry in 2021 , but due to covid we ended up postponing it from June of that year to May of 2022 . Despite this , we decided to keep our planned honeymoon to Costa Rica on August of 2021 . At that prison term , typeface were low and we desperately call for a break from all of the stress the pandemic has work .

Costa Rica was so beautiful and it was such a particular tripper that we ended up eloping while we were there . I have probably 500 photos I could portion out of the knockout of that country but I decided to send you something kind of coolheaded that we accidentally ran into which is theMonteverde Orchid Garden . Despite working at okay Gardening for 7 eld , I have to admit I did n’t know much about orchidaceous plant and was astounded to ascertain some of the particular that make them exceptional – for instance , many orchidaceous plant have single relationships with a specific pollinator , that they have developed incredible fashion to entice louse into their flower for pollination such as mimic the perfume of pheromones of the opposite sex or even the aroma of rot build all in an effort to appeal insects to pollinate them . Other orchids are noted for their highly floral or sweet scent and are often used in perfumery as a termination . The cooking constituent vanilla actually comes from an orchidaceous plant , the Vanilla planifolia . ( you could learn how to grow your own vanilla orchid here ) .

The Monteverde Orchid garden has over 450 variety or orchidaceous plant , include the minor orchid in the world – which we needed a magnifying glass to view . It is a small garden , but packed full of flower and info . Highly commend break it out if you are an orchidist or have orchidelirium , ( the historyof which is captivating ! )

More on orchid :

We ’re begin off small ( I think either a type ofRudolfiellaorPolystachya ) , but not as small as they get ! As Christine mentioned , Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to some of the mankind ’s smallest orchid , and the petite specimens want a very good lens of the eye and the perfect lighting to be able-bodied to seize more than a blurry mite of color . To see their tiniest flush , be trusted to condition out the Monteverde Orchid Garden Instagram:@monteverdeorchidgarden .

And a disclaimer : Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world , with over 25,000 different species that have wildly divers characteristic . It is no lowly feat to become well - versed in the world of orchidaceous plant , and it takes years of dedication to be an expert . I prove my best to distinguish all of the orchids show , but I apologize in advance for any plant I incorrectly label . If you ’re looking to dig a little profoundly into orchids , I further you to seek out other great imagination available likethe American Orchid Society .

When most of us recollect of orchid , the image of big , colorful blooms on top of a thin stem probably comes to listen . The moth orchids ( Phalaenopsisspp . and cvs . , Zones 10–12 ) and similar coinage that make an appearance in foodstuff computer storage at least once every year . However , this diverse plant family is full of a across-the-board smorgasbord of works forms . The zigzag of overlapping farewell on the Oersted ’s lockhartia ( Lockhartia oerstedii ) give the plant a fabulous grain .

Another form that does n’t forthwith number to thinker when we imagine ‘ orchidaceous plant ’ , the foliage ofMaxillaria valenzuelafans out and creates a spectacular shape when hang or potted . Of course , hang from a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in its instinctive environment give you the added bonus of seeing those outstanding roots at work !

TheLycastegenus of orchids have very distinct , recollective sepals that counterpoint the colors of the petals . If you look toward the base of the plant in the background you ’ll see anotherLycasteidentifier , their other - worldly egg - forge pseudobulbs .

We all know insects that fancy dress as plant , but have you ever seen a plant that could be mistaken for a pollinator ? The aptly name Kramer ’s butterfly stroke orchidaceous plant ( Psychopsis krameriana ) appears to have wings , long antenna , and even a spooky picayune face if you look closely .

Of course , orchids are n’t the only heyday you ’ll see at Monteverde Orchid Garden . Even the humblehardy fuchsia(Fuchsia magellanica , Zones 5–10 ) look extra salient in this tropic timber surround .

Like theMaxillaria valenzuelawe saw above , many orchid are made even more enthralling by their power to hang and turn from trees and other flora structure . This hanging is not only a visual appeal , but often a crucial part of the survival of the plant life . Stanhopea wardiiuses this hang as well as their unique chassis and coloring to mimic the female euglossine bee . The orchidaceous plant does this so well that male euglossine bee are actually tricked into pollinating !

And although orchidaceous plant are often stake and supported for bloom to be good , there are several specie with flowers that will spill even when spring up in a traditional container . Helmut gongora ( Gongora galeata ) is one of those species , with its unmatched string of curl blooms .

Another deterrent example is densely flowered acineta ( Acineta densa ) , with clustering of shiny yellow blooms . I also love that the orchidaceous plant ’s buds wait like the largest green grapes you ’ve ever seen .

A closer look atAcineta densareveals the flecked red flower petal hidden at bottom .

While orchids are obviously the highlight of this garden , there are many other tropic plants to be go steady . Thankfully , we have another tidy sum of fantastic photos from Christine to relish next week . In the bastardly clock time , remember to check out@monteverdeorchidgardenon Instagram .

Have photo to partake in ? We ’d do it to see your garden , a particular aggregation of works you have a go at it , or a wonderful garden you had the chance to chaffer !

To bow , station 5 - 10 pic to[email protected]along with some data about the flora in the pictures and where you remove the photos . We ’d love to listen where you are locate , how long you ’ve been gardening , success you are gallant of , loser you acquire from , hopes for the future , favorite plant , or funny stories from your garden .

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