Plants from Parkside via the Priority Mail. A bad thing for me to have a good experience with. I'm guessing I could be sucked in to this online ordering as much as all you yarn addicts groupies aficianados. When I first saw the package, I worried. See that crush area? And the box on the other side is clearly marked "do not leave in heat" as well as "live plants - do not leave without notifying recipient." I found the box on my front porch in full sun in the middle of the day as DS and I were leaving the house. But Parkside did an outstanding job packing the two plants that all they needed was a nice drink of water and a spot in the greenhouse window. They perked right up. I'll do business with them again, I'm certain.
Yeah, so they aren't that special to look at yet. I figured plants in bud or bloom were a bit more fragile than I wanted to risk my first time buying via mail. And these are well worth patience! The smaller broadleaf fella is Paphiopedilum callosum pictured here. It's care requirements are easy. Because it needs a bit of shade, P. cal will sit under the shelf of my window. DH and I have had at least one paph in our household for at least 23 of our 26 years together. Quite hardy, rewarding plants.
The second plant is a new species to me, one I have lusted after wanted for a few years, ever since I saw one at a - natch - fiber gathering at a private home with a greenhouse in NJ. This plant is a Phragmipedium sedenii. Phrags not only have superb color range but they have some fascinating shapes , too, like Phrag cleola which is the plant I really wanted but couldn't find available from a nursery I wanted to do business with. Sedenii will get top shelf center honors in my garden window.
What interesting and beautiful plants they will be!
Posted by: Kelly | August 18, 2006 at 11:53 AM
Thanks for the grower reference! I am considering getting a paph, although I dislike the sort-of-gothic colors that are so popular now. The phrag looks interesting too!
Posted by: Martha | August 18, 2006 at 03:19 PM
Y'know we expect bloom pictures on the blog when it happens?
Posted by: Laurie | August 19, 2006 at 07:18 AM