from a press release : "ghost orchid growing on an ancient bald cypress tree at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary near Naples is in bloom for the second consecutive summer, this time with seven buds that will likely produce blooms visible... for the next three weeks.
The plant bloomed three times in the summer of 2007, the first time with 12 blossoms, the second time with 10 and the third time with three. Area biologists have nicknamed this specimen the super ghost, since typically ghost orchids might have between one and three blossoms per year, if they bloom... "We've been watching the plant closely to see if it would produce another round of multiple blossoms this year, and we are excited to see that it is ready to perform again," said Ed Carlson, executive director of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. "We have one blossom visible now with two more buds that should open within the week, then four more buds that still need to mature." The ghost orchid (Polyrrhiza lindenii) is... rare, epiphytic orchid that grows without leaves on the trunks of trees in a small concentrated area of Southwest Florida... ... Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, the last remaining virgin old growth bald cypress forest in the United States... during the bloom events in the summer of 2007... orchid lovers coming from across the country.... the plant is growing at a height of about 45 feet on the trunk of a bald cypress tree located 150 feet from the boardwalk. ... many Naples area hotels... are offering special rates and packages especially for ghost orchid enthusiasts... Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is located... northeast of Naples" photo : http://www.businesswire.com/news/google/20080625005958/en http://mms.businesswire.com/bwapps/mediaserver/ViewMedia?mgid=141073&vid=5&download=1 ***************** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
