Orchid Eye Candy

Since the recent addition of new orchids to my collection, I have had my eye out for a local orchid show. Yesterday, I got along to the Aspley Orchid Society's annual summer show at Brisbane's Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.

There were hundreds of magnificent plants on display, and it seemed to me that there was a speckled theme I haven't previously seen, running through the exhibition.

I have done my best with the naming. I didn't write them all down as I probably should have. While I recognise most of the main families, I am not an orchid expert. In fact, I misnamed the potted orchid with two-toned purple flowers in the doorway in my post last week. It was a Miltonia, and the small mystery plant Tony gave me has flowered, and it is the Miltonia as we had hoped.

Cattleya

Oncidium

Cattleya

An interesting dendrobium - D. bracteosum

Rhynchostylis retrusa

The miniature Oncidium equitant

I love this spidery form  - another cattleya, I think.

Given its fairly flat flower and resemblance to a viola, I think this is a Miltonia, like my new two-toned purple one.

Gorgeous Vanda - I have one that hasn't flowered yet.

Another beautiful speckled Cattleya

Cattleya

Cattleya

Cattleya

I like how the speckles are concentrated around the border of the petals on this Cattleya.

Back home again and, for once, I had managed to resist the temptation of the plants on sale. What I was after were some ready-made wire hoops for the orchid pots I already have. The outside entertainment area had suited the orchids, but the pots were a bit too vulnerable on the ground once Bella and Onslow joined the household.

Up here, they are safe from stampeding pups and the blooms are eye level, but I can readily move them around to suit their sun requirements or bring them inside temporarily to enjoy them. Orchid plants are a bit boring when they are not flowering, so it is great to be able to safely 'park' them. The great collection of 'resting' dendrobiums below was at the gorgeous Havelock Bungalows I stayed at in Colombo, Sri Lanka, last year.

A flowering dendrobium displayed in the lounge at Havelock Bungalows.

Appointment at Flat Rock

Day 2 of my visit to Ballina in northern New South Wales and about two hours drive from Brisbane, and I felt I really owed Bella and Onslow a visit to the beach. It had been so wet over Christmas that I hadn't been able to include it. On Sunday the weather did us proud, and we caught up with our long-overdue appointment at Flat Rock.

I had a paddle with Miss B and the Big O

Tony brought his dog, Goody.

Norfolk Island pines behind the banksias.

Coastal Banksia

Surf photographers

Back at Tony's, a last sit in a favourite spot.

A last look back at the sea from his veranda.

Then it was time to pack up the car with pups and plants and head homeward. At least I had the consolation of the beautiful countryside on the way back to Brisbane.

Mandevilla 'White Fantasy' on one of his neighbours' fences.

Finally, home again and what do I have to show for my weekend away - that mellow feeling, some sunburn, great memories, photos, and the Aphelandra cuttings!

More from Tony's garden

Have you seen one of these before? 

I hadn't, until I noticed in my brother Tony's garden a year or so back.  I saw it again during my Christmas visit, and have been wondering ever since what it was and how I could find out. This weekend when the pups and I headed down to Ballina again, I asked Tony (now why didn't I think of that last time). He found the original tag, which made it easy.

It's Aphelandra sinclairiana 'Panama Queen'. I love the sizzling tropical colour combination of the pink flowers with orange bracts. It's a tall shrub (about 9 foot). I brought home a piece, and this afternoon, I planted 4 tip cuttings and still have more temporarily in water. Here's hoping I get at least one plant. I think I have the perfect spot!

Although the pups and I only arrived late on Saturday afternoon, we packed a good walk, a garden tour, as well as a trip to the beach, into 24 action-packed hours. It was only five weeks since our last visit, but there was still plenty to discover in the garden, starting right at the front doorstep.

I think it is a Brassia Orchid. (whoops, turns out it was a Miltonia!) Tony gave a small plant in bud that he thinks is the same. I hope so, I love it. All will be revealed when it flowers: I'll keep you posted.

Here are a few more from his orchid collection.

A late-flowering Dendrobium speciosum 'Zeloa'

Another example of the variety potted at the front door.

Onslow was quite oblivious of the Cattleya blooming behind him.

Dendrochilum magnum was brought into the house while it flowers.

Another orchid indoors temporarily, Zygopetalum Blue Lake 'Atlantis'

Back in the garden, many of the plants are in flower.

Fiddlewood Citharexylum spinosum 

Banksia

Hibiscus

Heliconia

Heliconia

Heliconia 'Golden Torch'

Heliconia rostrata

Ginger lily Hedychium gardnerianum 

Torch Ginger Etlingera elatior

Flowering Gum Eucalyptus

Finally, none of this would be possible without these little fellows and their like.

Tony keeps two hives of native (stingless) bees on his upstairs verandah.

Great job, guys! And thanks to Tony and Leanne for another fabulous garden tour and visit.