If you haven't gotten a name yet, or asked at Amaryllis/Hippeastrum Forum, you might try there. By the way...very pretty. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: Amaryllis/Hippeastrum Forum

Good Morning, All, Linda, you sure know a LOT about plants' biology. I was aware bees pollinated, but not flies. Ironic. Would you happen to know which plants they prefer? Funny you should mention flies. Although it's the wrong time of year, yesterday I spent several hours repotting indoor plants, outside. I lifted three plants off a table, Pachypodiums. Anyway, after lifting the third plant, I found several maggots living underneath, nearest the drainage hole. Yuck..Gross..Disgusting. I wondered why there have been so many flies in the yard. Do you think plants are attracting these creatures? We have Trumpet Vine, 'don't bother buying this plant, it's way too invasive,' which attracts flies. However, I 'assumed' it coincidence. I've been summering indoor plants outside 20+-yrs, but there's never been vast amounts of flies. Ever. Ants, yes, but not flies. I wondered about 'yellow' violets..Same with blues. There are 'true' blue flowers, but most are purple, labeled blue. Very few plants, of all types, have actual blue flowers. I do not consider purple, blue, I get upset when a violet or any other plant is called blue when it's purple. :) Linda, thanks for the url. Guess I copy and paste on browser? For some reason the address didn't show as a clickable link. Thanks, I'll have to check this woman's plants. Some people find sellers in seconds. Wish I knew their secret. lol. Linda, at least you have a family, even if you drive them up the wall talking about plants..Consider youself blessed. Dave...I too have a few, basic Orchids. One Dendrobium blooms 4-5 times a year..Or use to. It's been in the same, wooden basket since 1998. I ordered the next size up, or so I thought. Baskets only come in even sizes..I wanted 5" but no dice. I ordered a 6" and it's huge. 5 young orchids will fit in this pot. lol. Which I might end up doing. We'd best make sure we don't bid against each other. :) Dave, my rating is 361.

Barb, for looking and for your comments! Jim, for several years I've had the ground orchid, Bletilla striata, growing mostly in the shade with just a little dappled sunlight. I seem to remember that it took a couple of years for it to bloom after planting. So probably yours just needs to get established to bloom. The only 'problem' it seems to have is emerging so early in the year, about Feb. as I recall, that frosts tend to nip the tops of the foliage if I don't get out there and cover it. This doesn't leave it looking so good the rest of the year, but you probably won't have that problem in your zone, since it hasn't happened in the warmer winters we've had here the last couple of years. I did a little research just now and found that the variety pictured above is Spathoglottis plicata. I'm excited about it because several links say it blooms throughout the year while the beautiful Bletilla striata pictured below blooms only in the spring. However, since I divided the clump into about ten plants I'm pretty sure it won't bloom again this year and just might not bloom next year either. As mentioned above Spathoglottis plicata was purchased at Home Depot. I read online this morning that someone had gotten it at Lowes on 2007. So those two places might be where to watch for them next spring if anyone wants one. Here is a link that might be useful: Ground orchid, Spathoglottis plicata

I'm still in! I just have to lay it out and take pictures. BUT I am a little concerned because I was re-reading the initial instructions and it said "up to twin size" -- well, I'll have to measure it but I'm thinking a twin size bed would be swimming in this thing. So if it turns out it doesn't match the contest that's ok, I will understand. (I'll send measurements w/ the pics.)