Corkscrew Ghost Orchids
Rod Wiley
Ghost Orchid ( Dendrophylax lindenii )
Update: July 3, 2014
Corkscrew "Super" Ghost Orchid
Discovered in July 2007, the Corkscrew "Super Ghost" orchid has been in the spotlight each summer since then as it continues to produce many flowers year after year. Drawing attention from near and far as the largest ghost orchid discovered so far. It has delighted us every year since it's discovery with multiple bloomings throughout the summer.
This year's Ghost Orchid Activity:
Update:
July 3, 2014: On 6/25/14 there were 20 buds spotted on the Corkscrew "Super Ghost". Most of these buds were very small, but by June 27th two of them had bloomed...there are now 11 fresh blooms, and 1 other that is fading, there are more buds getting ready to open soon! The Corkscrew "Super Ghost Orchid" typically produces buds on and off throughout the summer, please check back here for further updates.
2014 Activity:
July 3, 2014: 11 flowers in full bloom
July 2, 2014: 8 flowers in full bloom, 1 flower starting to crinkle up and turn yellow
July 1, 2014: Morning: Six flowers in full bloom, later in the day 3 additional flowers had started to open, and the first one that bloomed is starting to fade.
June 30, 2014: Five flowers in full bloom
June 29, 2014: Five flowers in full bloom
June 28, 2014: Three flowers in full bloom
June 27, 2014: Two flowers in full bloom. A few more buds look like they will open sometime this weekend and more sometime next week. We will keep you posted with any further developments.
June 26, 2014: One flower in full bloom.
June 25, 2014: 20 buds, the first of the season.
Once a ghost orchid bud opens into a flower, barring any interferrence, it usually stays in bloom for about 1.5 to 2 weeks, yellowing and eventually shrivelling toward the end. If lucky the flower will be pollinated and produce a seed pod, however this does not happen every year.
We will continue to monitor this orchid's budding and blooming and will post updates here and on our facebook site..
Additonal smaller Ghost Orchid:
On August 12th, 2012 a visitor found another ghost orchid at Corkscrew, on Landmark Tree #5. It had one flower on it when it was found, but the first flower only lasted until Thursday, August 16th. Later there was another flower open until the first week of October last year. There were no buds or flower in 2013.
2014 Activity:
July 3, 2014: The flower opened up this morning on the small ghost orchid!
July 2, 2014: The bud is large now and looks like it may bloom in the next day or two!
July 1, 2014: One bud still, it is getting larger and has a longer nectar spur than last week
June 27, 2014: There is still one bud on this orchid, it has grown a little larger and is starting to develop it's nectar spur. The flower has not opened yet, but may by sometime next week. We will continue to monitor this orchid and post updates here and on our facebook site.
June 16 2014: One tiny bud was spotted on this orchid.
If you plan to visit Corkscrew to see the ghost orchids, please bring binoculars as both are about 50 feet high in old growth bald cypress trees. The "Super Ghost" is about 100 feet away from the boardwalk, the smaller ghost orchid is about 40 feet from the boardwalk. They can both be seen clearly from the boardwalk using either binoculars or a spotting scope. There are signs on the boardwalk rails identifying their locations.
To see the "Super Ghost", you have to walk just under a mile to almost the furthest point of the boardwalk, near interpretive sign number 7. There is a small sign on the rail there to help you locate the orchid.
The smaller ghost orchid is just beyond the Super Ghost, and just past the Overlook Platform spur trail, on the Royal Palm spur of the boardwalk, it is in Landmark Tree #5. Walk to the end of the Royal Palm spur trail and look about 50 feet up in the cypress tree that is on the left side of the royal palm tree. The orchid is on the left side of the main trunk of the tree. There is a small sign there with a photo to help you locate the orchid.
(article and photo provided by The National Audubon Society Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary)
No comments:
Post a Comment