'Head on down. The orchids are just about to peak.'
I'd phoned brother Tony to ask if a friend and I could stay overnight with him and the lovely Leanne and use their home outside Ballina as our base for visiting the fabulous Byron Writers' Festival last weekend; the orchids were a bonus.
We were a bit late leaving Brisbane on Saturday, so we went directly to the festival, but I got up early Sunday morning to give myself a quick tour of the garden, and especially those orchids.
Tony had already headed to the beach for a surf, so I didn't get the full run down on names, but generally speaking there were two main types in flower, the strappy-leafed Cymbidiums and the daintier-flowered Dendrobiums, including his 'speciality' the Australian native
Dendrobium speciosum.
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| Cymbidium orchid |
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| Orchids were everywhere. |
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| A dendrobium orchid |
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| Dendrobium speciosum |
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| Dendrobium (not in flower) on the upper branch, and a cymbidium on the lower fork of a frangipani in the front garden. |
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| D. speciosum in various stages of flowering in one of the orchid houses. |
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| One of my favourite cymbidiums - I think I gave this one to Tony. |
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| The dendrobiums are epiphytic and happily grow on tree (or palm) trunks or rocks. |
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| More D. speciosum about to flower |
Elsewhere in the garden, the always reliable bromeliads were in flower.
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| This bromeliad is Guzmania wittmarkii |
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| Bromeliad Aechmea gamosepala is known as the matchstick plant. |
Tony and Leanne's house was named 'The Magnolias' by its previous owners. Although sometimes these beauties get a bit lost in all the tropical growth, this is their time to shine.
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| Heliconia 'Red Christmas' |
... and the festival itself? We had a fabulous time in a beautiful setting at Belongil Beach, just outside Byron Bay.
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| Indonesian writer Ahmad Fuadi. His novel 'The Land of Five Towers' was my only purchase on the day, but I have added some other great books to my wish list and hope to get a chance to track them down and read them later in the year. |
And just over the hill from the festival, we were able to take in a final dose of beauty before heading home to Brisbane.
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| Looking towards Byron with its famous lighthouse on the distant ridge just to the right of the couple on the beach |
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| Julian Rocks with Belongil Creek in the foreground. |
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| Belongil Creek |
Oh those Orchids are simply spectacular. So many gorgeous varieties, it's impossible to pick a favourite. The Magnolias are lovely too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to get to the Writers' Festival. That must have been a great event. Love the locale too!
It is such a pretty area Bernie, and the weather was just perfect.
DeleteWell knock me over with a feather!! What beautiful orchid photos.....I'm swooning with true admiration......they're absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI loved them all.
Tony should have an open house garden and charge a small admission fee, I would be there in a minute.
Glad you enjoyed the Writer's Festival...looks like lots of fun.
It's always great to head down to catch-up with the family and have a wander in the garden, but with the orchids out, even more so.
DeleteI'm jealous of your brother's beautiful orchids. I only have two cymbidium orchids and a few dendrobium ones but they certainly don't flower as well as your brother's. I'll have to fertilise mine more frequently I think.
ReplyDeleteHe does assure me that fertilising is the key Cathy, but mine don't flower nearly so well as his either.
DeleteGreat orchid photos. You were right when you said they are everywhere! Seems like it was a good time for all. JC
ReplyDeleteWe had a lovely time, Jack. It is technically still winter here until the first of September, but we had a 28C degree day last week, and when you are surrounded by blooms it's easy to think it's Spring already.
DeleteOh gosh he sure does have the magic touch! I love those magnolias as well! Your photographs are excellent.
ReplyDeleteI loved the magnolias too, especially the double one with the thinner petals. Apart from the 'Little Gem', you don't see them in Brisbane, even though it's only a two hour drive away, but I am tempted to try my luck with that one.
DeleteMarisa, I haven't been to Heron Island or to Byron Bay - 2 places I always intend to go to. (I intend to go to Yellowstone National Park one day too, but HI and BB are easy to get to in comparison!) So - I loved your last 3 posts, including the orchids. Your bro is quite an orchid whisperer. And the festival looks as laid back and relaxed as I imagined it would be. cheers, cm
ReplyDeleteThanks, Catmint. I have a friend visiting from the UK later this year, and we plan to travel round lots of SE Queensland and northern New South Wales. I'll try to post as we go - maybe the photos will entice you up to visit this part of the country.
DeleteOh my! Your brother is obvious serious about orchids, I absolutely adore orchids but can only grow them indoors so is limited by the size of my window sills. I have managed to squeeze in 6 phalaenopsis and 1 dendrobium, but they are obviously tiny compared to your brother's plants. Loved the magnolia photos too, I bought a magnolia tree this spring, growing in a large container. I'm hoping for my first flowers next spring :-)
ReplyDeleteI am trying to find a spot for another magnolia, Helene. I have a 'Little Gem' that struggles a bit - I think because it is on a slope and the water doesn't get a chance to soak in. But I would like to add a cymbidium to the garden, too.
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