Orchids?

[mia]

Can someone tell me when orchids are most in bloom on St. John? Thanks.

[Xislandgirl]

It has been a few years since I have been on island, but I can honestly say I don't ever remember seeing orchids. Bouganviella and Hibiscus, yes, Orchids, no.

I may be wrong though, I just don't remeber them.

[mia]

Xislandgirl,
Thank you for the quick reply...I guess I was hoping because of the written description regarding our villa:
"....Surrounded by lush landscaping with spectacular orchid gardens..."

Oh well...St. John is beautiful enough even without orchids

[Jan N.]

There were orchids on STJ on March 23, 2004. I don't know much about them. Do they bloom just once a year?

[Winnie]

I remember seeing wild orchids while hiking. Not as lush or exotic as the ones you can get as houseplants, but so lovely to run across in their natural setting.

[Xislandgirl]

Guess I never noticed them. 5 years and I never noticed an orchid? I must have worked too much....or had a bit too much rum.

[Anthony]

There are many wild orchids all over the VI. I just saw some on St. John - when I download my photos I will post one.

[bert]

Orchids are all over the islands, but they're inconspicuous. They can grow in the crooks and branches of the trees. Many times you will see a small "clump" of plants on the road - these are orchids that have fallen from the trees. Stop at the Coral Bay Garden Center and Josephine will show you a lot of live blooming orchids! Unfortunately, because of USDA, you can't take them home.

peace.... bert

[GidgetPicklebrain]

I grow a variety of cultivated orchids which spend the winters indoors and teh summers outdoors.
All of them bloom once a year. Their blooming periods last anywhere from one to three months depending on the variety, age and general health of the plant. They rest for a short while afterwards, then put out new roots and leaves for several months before beginning another bloom period. Different varieties bloom at different times of the year. I have different orchids in bloom from late fall through all of the winter and spring months, and have one right now that has been in bloom since the beginning of July.

I would imagine with St. John's climate folks would be able to grow a large number of cultivated varieties outdoors year round, in which case any time of year one variety or another would be likely to be in bloom. I know there are wild orchids on the island as well, but I don't know what types they are so can't really offer any information on them.

[Anthony]

Well maybe I was wrong about this - I thought this was an orchid, but have just been told it is a lily:

<img src="http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/images/orchid.jpg">

I still think there are wild orchids around the islands... but maybe I am crazy.

[California Girl]

Orchid or not, Anthony, it's still gorgeous!

[Jan N.]

An orchid from March '04

[liamsaunt]

There were blooming orchids planted on the trunks of the plam trees at Villa Argonauta when we were there in June. Here is a photo:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/182978774/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/63/182978774_9b6c0d8bab.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="argo palm orchids"></a>

[GidgetPicklebrain]

Anthony's plant is Lycoris albiflora, a bulb that is related to amaryllis. Orchids don't carry their pollen on those long stamens.

[Jan N.]

Dear GidgetPicklebrain,

(I just had to type that great name!)

Thanks for the info. You sure know 'yer stuff. The next two photos are orchids, aren't they? I got a few orchids for Christmas a few years ago, in bloom, and they were lovely for weeks. I've kept one of them alive, but nothing has happened flower-wise. Oh, well.