Bird of Paradise....and I don't mean me!

[Mrs Ava]

Although yes, I am a bird of paradise.....well according to Ava  ;), long after the pineapple has been eaten, see what else I have growing in my conservatory.  This first piccy is just as the bud begins to burst.

 
From bud to fully open takes about 2 months and they only flower in the winter months once the temperature has dropped.



And here you see it on day one of starting to open.  The flowers kind of unfurl a section at a time.

There are 3 buds in all so far, and the plant is over 15 years old and this is only the 2nd time it has flowered!!

[Mrs Ava]

[budgiebreeder]

Brilliant well done I have tried several times unsuccessfully

[Gardengirl]

All I can EJ is wow.  ::) That beats all my pictures.  You sure have to be patient to see the flowers though don't you?

Well done

Pat  :) :)

[Gardengirl]

PS  Sorry about the quirky message EJ, haven't got the hang of the icons yet.  Thought only the 'WOW' would come out in red.  Anyone care to explain what I did wrong? ???....Pat

[MagpieDi]

Absolutely beautiful EJ..........any more exotics ?  I just love them! Have you tried orchids?

[Mrs Ava]

Have never ever grown orchids, don't know why  ??? Guess I have never been given any, or bought any going cheap at the garden centre when they are on their last legs.  I tend to grow all of my indoor plants from seed - I am tooooo mean to go and pay top dollar for tropical or unusual plants, but of course, this means waiting yonks for them to flower! Or I buy them when they need lots of tlc, or I inherit them from peeps who are fed up with them or they have outgrown their homes - I am like Battersea Dogs home of the plant world!   I have about 10 banana palms, 8 pineapples, pawpaws, pomegranites, selection of citrus, cacti, olives,and a selection of other odds and sods really.  I am a glutton for plants with HUGE leaves, and anything that is odd, or just needs a new home.  

[Doris_Pinks]

I have 5 orchids, and it looks like 2 of my babies (maybe 3) are going to flower...............have to say they must be fairly easy to grow as I am notorious with Killing any indoor plants!!
EJ I take my hat off to you! When we lived overseas in warmer climes, it took them YEARS to flower there in the optimum conditions, you really have an indoor green thumb ;D

[MagpieDi]

Absolutely,I agree Dottie!

EJ ...I am green with envy!!

I try to grow orchids in the conservatory..........just  the most common...cymbidiums ( which flower better if stood outside over summer ) , phalaenopsis ( the moth orchid ) , odontoglossums, and my favourite the paphiopedilum ( lady's slipper )

Flowers to die for!!

And perversely....I love their Latin names!!


P.S   spelling o.k.....Hugh?  ;)  ;D

[Doris_Pinks]

Ere Di, I grow the common ones too!   ;D

[MagpieDi]

Ha!!  

O.K.   .....Dottie....I confess, some spelling is courtesy of the RHS!!....well...can't be too careful with my personal tutor hovering!!  ;)

I do give my little darlings nicknames......unable to divulge here!!...but some of the flower shapes are rather obscene!  ::)  ;D

Hence ........never talk to them when the vicar is visiting!!  ;)  ;D  ..which is very frequently!!.....but that's another story!  ;)  ;D

[Doris_Pinks]

I say missus!! I shall look at mine in a new light!! Maybe that is why family and friends snigger in the conservatory, and here was I thinking it was my marvellous wit!