paphiopedilum , my best orchid ever ::)

            Unlike some species which became wretched decoration tools in supermarkets, paphiopedium orchids are quite savage, odd and captivating. Everytime l see a giant, mostly single bloom with stunning colors among the modest leafs, l look them with great admiration. First time l saw one was at Paris in a very snowy day. l was wandering at the city, lingering to not get into the home and come across with one p. insigne in small parisien flower shop. Afterwards l decided to give trial and since 3 years l have one! This year l also bought also one p. villosum which has a bit more humble color in family. They are not difficult plants infact but you should know specificly what they need and providing relevant environment is essential. Thus, l'd like to write about paphiopediums in nature also. 
            Paphiopediums are native plants of southeast Asia. Thailand, Endonasia, Malesia and Vietnam are main countries whish they are wide-spreed. My favorite species p. insigne is native of Bangladesh and Nepal. They generally locate in organic layers that contacts with inorganic componants of landscape. Thats why, although generally they are terresterial, there are some species grow on tree trunks or among the lime stone cracks. They generally can be found over 900-1200m height, partly shade forests.

Tips: After flower spike died, l repot my paph (this is the abbreviation in literature) to mix of 1/2 finebark, 1/4 moss, 1/6 charcoal, 1/4 perlite, 1/6 cork ( l went to one vine house to beg few cork and it was fuuny ). Keeping roots always moist, giving attention not let the plant soaked is very inportant. We can gather paphs generally in two groups. Straight-light green ones, which have more tolerance to sunlight. Second group have mottled-dark green leafs. l find this plants a bit baroque actually, maybe this is the reason l dont prefer to grow them ::) Some species like p. insigne needs amounth of calcium. l think thats why they live as lithophyt on limestone cliffs. l added some mineral stones to the mixture. As l read on related articles, low night temperature is necessary to induce blooming in early spring. l dont have enough experience to give advise but l need to say that last year our heating system was malfunction for 10 days. Just right after l saw small flower spike on my plant, so worth to try :)

Copenhagen Botanical Garden

You dont need to go so far to Malaysia to see Nepenthes pitchers or to Japan to see Cycad family. Best thing about botanical gardens - thanks to mostly english people's traveller spirit -  they collect immense quantitiy of different species and they creat a native habitat with local opportunities. l sould admit that each time l see a giant Echino in cacti part or a Catthleya with captivating blooms, l see those people as personal guru! Personally, it is the first discovery on my mind when l visit a city in my travels. In this blog, l will also share many visuals from botanical gardens from all around the world, as long as l have enough money for travelling :)

Copenhagen city itself, one of the most beautiful human settlement l have ever seen in my life. However, the botanical garden is also amazing! it has two wild lakes, vast land of outdoor plants and many glass greenhouses. The main glasshouse consist of three sections like subtropics, tropics and cool climates. Stairs that allows you to reach roof promenade in art nouveau style are stunning. They have a massive cactus collection and staff is very friendly. They have a comprehensive seed collection in main office building, to see that you should be a bit curious and talkative :P

There is one spiral stair for climbing up, and one for climb down in tropical part. Seeinf all those palms and ivys, trees with massive leafs really worth to climb..

Victoria Amazonica, the biggest species of nymphaea family. l need a baby to put on it!

It is the first time l saw this plant, big leafs and semi-ivy form makes this plant beautiful. l will try to buy some seeds from ebay :)

Lazy Afternoon with Autumn Sun

Biggest trap for flys..

There is one of my favorite neighborhood named Eminönü, which you can come across with many bizarre things in chaotic atmosphere spontaneously. It locates on the european part of the city, at the center of historical peninsula, narrow streets are full of tiny shops sailing spices, foods, animals and surely plants :) From time to time, when l have free time to spend in the city, l enjoy to stop by and check my favorite shops and try to catch new species. On my last visit, l went to this cactus sailer (interior looks like an hoarder more than flower shop) maybe l should make a proper post here just for him,, l found this monster which was quite startling. 

Personally, more than seeing them as weirdos which are able to catch moving objects and digest them, l think their subtle forms of traps, prominent height of flower spikes and same colour pattern in herd makes them beautiful. The one that l bought is the species with bigger red traps. l could never find chance to propagate them by seed therefore, l would like to have wide surface transformed to dionea carpet ::)

Description: Dionaea Muscipula, native to wetlands of Carolina USA, 4cm traps supported by inner hair to trigger reflex by constant vibrations and catch flys for nutrition. Poor acidic soil is perfect for cultivation. They always need to be in wet soil and cold winter dormancy is essential for healty plants. Seed propagation and dividing siblings are convenient ways to have to many Dionaeas!!

Four years after l decided to continue with again Oncidiums. Even they are a bit difficult for me to keep content, their exquisite flower spikes and captivating colors makes this plants challanging. l think l will have success on these species when l have proper greenhouse someday. My oncidiums had new pseudobulbs and kept growing after blooming and l repot it with 1/2 fine bark, 1/4 perlite, 1/4 spagnum moss. For now it seems quite happy..