Varieties of Florida Flora and Fauna

Key West Garden Club had their semi-annual sale and I was one of the first in line and straight to the orchid house. Have you ever seen a more hauntingly beautiful flower? I think it’s an Oncidium, but alas, it is an orchid orphan. I actually think it has a name but just didn’t have a tag.

A gorgeous view from  the Key West Garden Club

My friendly urban landscape – the front yard.

It wouldn’t take much for the terrain to revert. Here is a view of Big Pine Key. You almost expect  T-Rex to emerge over the treetops. It really feels paleolithic.

So Danny & I go for a nice little walk . . . I let him go ahead. . .

Wow. This looks interesting. Let’s check it out.

OMG! Whats that in the water?

 

They don’t have to tell me twice!

Let’s get a closer look – let’s peer over the rails.

Yikes! My first wild alligator sighting.

Back to the garden sale for me!  Phew! The welcome sight of Banana Bob who knows everything there is to know about how to grow the weirdest and most delicious varieties of bananas. I have bought three from him over the past two years – all flourishing.

 

 

Here’s my new Catteleya.

Two new mini-phalaenopsis orchids to add to my collection.

 

 

 

Here he is with both his friends, whom I have successfully brought back into bloom. It is so gratifying when they are happy enough to bloom year after year. This is their second year with me.

 

Close up of the raceme.

 

Here is my reigning queen – a gorgeous Cattleleya greeting visitors at the doorway.

My wild coffee bushes are really producing.

Show-off!

An unusual red orchid  – another Catteleya – back in bloom -obviously taken with his home.

Vivid palm fruit. This tree is on my side yard.

 

I just bought Robin Robinson’s new book Roots, Rocks & Rain – Native Trees of the Florida Keys

 

. . . and discovered that my Lignum Vitae tree – who is doing beautifully – is considered “endangered by the State of Florida and critically imperiled by the Florida Institute for Regional conservation.”  Here is a close up of post flowering branches. These are her gorgeous decorative seeds.

 

A not-so-endangered felix domesticus – AKA Mr Surly – looking surly.

 

My Nagami kumquats, producing beautifully. This 2-year old tree is container planted and quite happy.

 

A new pink Vanda with three (!) flower spikes.

He joins others on the tree that just up in the middle of my deck.

I got the last stunning magenta Bromilliad.

Yes, that really is the color.

 

I couldn’t resist these mini-pineapples. I’m going to use them for a landscape planting.

I knew the snails were large in Florida, but this is ridiculous. Look what I found hiding under the hem of the silver palm!

Here’s a close-up. Check out the unusual color.

Oh oh the Omnikat escaped – again.  Gotta run . . .