#best time to post on instagram on friday 2021

[vanteguccir]

── ୨୧ !　𝗜𝗧'𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗗

　　　　　　　　　𝒄𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒐 x reader

SUMMARY: Where Y/N is part of the Sturniolo Triplets fandom and makes videos about them on TikTok. After years of creating content, one of her videos seems to catch the attention of none other than Chris.

WARNING: None.

REQUESTED?: Yes, from anon.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: That is my work, I DON'T authorize any plagiarism! | English isn't my first language, so I'm sorry if there's any grammar error.

A/N².: I used this tiktoker as an inspiration for the content that the reader creates on this.

　　　༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

It was true that the Sturniolo Triplets fandom grew so much in such a short time thanks to the fans themselves, who play a big role in bringing the channel to other people through social media - mainly TikTok. It was also true that, at least 90% of this part of the fandom works with edits of different types of the boys; compilation of parts from a certain video or podcast, edits and even memes.

But there was a small portion that made videos talking about the boys, showing their faces and voices while explaining their content, work and even giving tips on how the triplets themselves could increase their audience or improve their brands.

And Y/N was part of this small portion, having been in the fandom since mid-2021 and not missing any videos of the triplets, she could talk about them for hours on end.

Her biggest hobby was making videos giving ideas for their channel and brands: some brands they could collab with, theme ideas for car videos, topics for podcasts, prints for hoodie sets and t-shirts - both for the triplets' brand and for Fresh Love -, different flavors and themes for Space Camp, and so on.

The girl applied all her love and knowledge to all her videos, editing the backgrounds and explaining her ideas with the smallest details, making them understandable. She had perfect lighting, audio, and set equipment for her work, which made the quality equally good as her content.

Her trademark was her strawberry frappuccino, which she was always drinking every time she turned on her phone camera. Fans joked that her obsession with the drink was like Chris's obsession with Pepsi.

And all that was exactly why fans loved her so much. Y/N had more than 400 thousand followers on her TikTok account and all her videos reached an average of 150 thousand likes, in addition to the many comments saying how smart she was for having those ideas, her kindness in sharing them with the public and even complementing her beauty.

The girl spent hours of her day reading each one of them and interacting with fans as if they were best friends, always being very kind. She laughed her ass off at the comments from people who madly tagged the boys, especially Chris, as it was a well-known fact that he was her favorite - she loved to make that very clear.

Some fans even went so far as to say that if Chris was ever ready to get romantically involved with someone again, they wanted it to be with Y/N. The girl read that type of comment with a huge smile on her face and red cheeks, feeling honored. Although she imagined that the boys would never even notice her, she allowed herself to travel through the world of delusion from time to time.

So it was an understandment to say that she was super surprised when, after waking up on a typical Saturday and picking up her phone for the first time in the day before even getting out of bed - a bad habit of hers -, she saw the notifications in triple the volume of its normal.

She felt dizzy with so much information, trying to find in the midst of so many comments and messages what was really happening.

Finally, after traveling between her TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter for long minutes, she finally found it.

Chris Sturniolo had commented on her last video.

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It was Friday, and the triplets had just returned home after finishing recording their new car video that would be posted in a few hours.

Chris was currently lying in his bed, the lights in his room dimmed, and the low noise coming from his phone filling the four walls.

The brunette was just getting ready to take a shower minutes ago, having opened his TikTok and scrolling through his For You for a few minutes, about to take off his clothes used in the filming, when a video of an unknown girl talking about himself caught his attention.

It was very normal to have videos of and about himself on his For You, after all, the hours over the last few years that he spent liking one video or another showed the algorithm that he liked this type of content. Edits and memes of him alone or with his brothers filled his app, and he spent enough time watching, laughing, liking, and, sometimes, reposting some of them.

But it wasn't normal for him to have a completely unknown person talking directly about him, with her face and voice exposed for the world while doing it. And what surprised him most was what she was talking about, that specific video being about different prints and colors that he could use in the next Fresh Love collection.

His blue eyes lingered too long on the girl's face, admiring her features, her sweet voice serving as a melody for his ears.

When Chris dragged his thumb from the right to the left of his screen, entering the girl's profile, he finally noticed her name.

"Y/N." His voice came out in a whisper, enjoying more than necessary how the name slipped off his tongue so easily.

His fingers wandered across the screen, going from one video to another, listening to the ideas carefully - even writing some down on his Notes app -, saving some in a separate folder and browsing the comments, only then realizing that practically all of them were from fans tagging him.

Laughter escaped his lips at some of the jokes the girl made every now and then, while fascination filled his eyes with the effort she put into each idea.

The sound of knocking against his bedroom door startled him, his body jumping as he turned sharply towards the source of it, Matt's head appearing between his door and the frame, his eyebrows furrowed as his eyes traveled around the room briefly.

"You've been listening to this girl for so many hours that I thought she was here with you." Matt commented, opening the door wider and approaching Chris.

The youngest of the triplets rolled his eyes, suppressing the urge to lock his phone screen and keep Y/N all to himself, but she was well known in the fandom and her videos were about him and his brothers, the possibility of her content getting to them as quickly as it got to him was huge.

"It's a girl who appeared on my For You today. She makes videos of ideas for our channel and brands, can you believe it?" Chris looked at Matt as he showed his phone screen with Y/N's profile open. His eyes were wide with fascination, and his lips stretched into an enthusiastic smile.

Matt observed him for a few seconds, noticing his body language and the way he spoke about the girl, it was different from all the other times the boy commented about tiktokers or videos others made about them.

"Send me a video of her, I'll take a look later. Now go upstairs, I bought us something to eat."

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Another Monday had arrived, and Y/N was looking for strength in her body to get out of bed and face another start of the week.

The thought that in a few hours, she would have a brand new Sturniolo Triplets podcast was what made her tackle her tasks.

Her eyes traveled to the time on her phone and to her notification bar every 10 minutes, as if she was expecting Nick to release the podcast earlier than usual - it was obvious that that wasn't going to happen.

After last Saturday, where she had woken up to a comment from none other than Christopher Sturniolo, her weekend was complete madness.

She spent hours staring at the little comment as her mind tried to process whether she was actually awake or still asleep and in a very good dream.

"loved the idea! it's noted ;)"

"it's noted"? What did that even mean? Did he actually write down her idea for future use? Should she be prepared to wake up some other day and see that he has launched a new collection with something she suggested in one of her videos?

And what made her go crazy the most was that Chris Sturniolo had seen her face, and not only that, he found her attractive enough and her idea creative enough to watch it until the end.

She spent almost the entire previous two days waiting for him to comment again, or even like one of her videos, but that didn't happen. Instead, Y/N received thousands of comments from fans going crazy with her about what happened. At least she had a good laugh with them.

Now, she was in her bedroom, the light from the movie playing on the TV was the only source of illumination. Y/N was lying in her bed, already in her pajamas and with her pre-bed cup of cappuccino on her lap, keeping her legs warm, her eyes on the television, but her mind somewhere else.

The sound of the YouTube notification came from her phone and Y/N had never moved so quickly, her hand taking the device out of her bedside table and unlocking the screen while muting the television, clicking on it with her thumb without even looking at the other notifications.

Her fingers worked on increasing the volume and screen brightness, setting it to the best resolution and getting comfortable on her bed, preparing to stay in that position for the next hour.

The podcast was already at minute 35, and Y/N felt her cheeks hurting from how much she was laughing at the topics brought up by the boys. Nick was especially funny that day, making Chris and Matt laugh at every moment.

In addition to the senseless fights that would arise between the three of them out of nowhere, which made Y/N roll her eyes playfully, already accustomed to their way with each other.

Until her big smile was replaced by an expression of a mixture of fright and surprise.

"Can we take a moment to talk about the intense crush Chris developed this weekend?" Nick interrupted Matt's laughter, taking a sip of his Doctor Pepper.

Chris turned abruptly to his brother, his eyes wide at the comment as he shook his head, almost begging through telepathy for him not to talk about that.

"It's true, Chris spent the weekend obsessing over a fan of ours who makes videos on TikTok with different ideas for our channel." Matt agreed, looking briefly at Nick while his hands moved the microphone support, pressing his lips together as he tried to suppress his laughter at Chris's reaction.

"Yeah, she is super pretty, and her ideas are very interesting. I think I only saw her profile once, but I listened to all her videos through Chris's phone." Nick continued, raising his right hand and directing his palm towards Chris, pretending to cover his figure with it and ignoring his desperate expression. "He literally spent the entire weekend watching her."

"Her name is Y/N. Search for her guys. We might even use one of her ideas on our next podcast." Matt added, his voice coming out low despite his mouth being almost glued to the microphone.

"You guys are horrible, I hate you." Despite the distance, the camera lens that focused on Chris's image captured his red cheeks as he tried to suppress a smile at the thought of the girl who took over his thoughts, rolling his eyes to his brothers.

"Now he will be silent for the next 10 minutes." Nick continued, amusement in his voice as he picked up his Space Camp watermelon lip balm, playing with the object in his hands.

"He's in love Nick, give him some credit." Matt mocked alongside the oldest triplet, a small smile on his face as his eyes watched his brother's reaction.

"Okay, next topic." Chris interrupted loudly, his voice cracking with embarrassment. He raised his arms and moved them from side to side exasperatedly, earning laughter from the other two, before Nick briefly passed his eyes on the document open on his laptop, starting the next topic.

"Oh my God." Y/N whispered, clicking once on the screen and dragging the small ball in the bottom bar to the left, going back a few minutes of the podcast and rewatching that specific part.

The girl repeated that action at least three more times, her brain still processing that Chris Sturniolo had been watching her TikToks all weekend - as if she were some kind of famous artist - and that, apparently, he was developing a mini crush on her as well.

Her heart was beating too fast to be normal as her cheeks burned, a red tinge taking over her skin. Goosebumps ran through her body as her fingers trembled slightly. Her jaw was already hurting from the time she held her mouth open, but no sound escaped from it.

A notification suddenly appearing at the top of the screen caught her eye, her right hand instantly flying to her mouth while her left hand lowered her phone, resting the device on her mattress.

Her eyes were now fixed on the wall in front of her bed, as her mind screamed at herself.

christopherturniolo sent you a direct message.

"hey!"

[animesavior]

"Hold on, before we start: If you think you can beat me, think again. Cause I'm gonna beat the stuffing out of you, with my fists." Mash Burnedead, Mashle (Ep. 08)

This is the Toonami Trending Rundown for the month of January 2025. Toonami begins its 13th year back on Adult Swim as the block is in a “transitional period” of sorts with Invincible Fight Girl presently rerunning after completing its first season and Toonami Rewind being “merged back” into the block at the rear half of the lineup.

The first scheduled Toonami of the year, January 4-5, was a holiday marathon night of Uzumaki, so no trends were spotted during the 4-episode marathon. For the night of January 11-12, #Toonami trended in the USA on Twitter alongside Mashle, Invincible Fight Girl, and Blue Exorcist. On the night of January 18-19, only Toonami would trend. And for the night of January 25-26, #Toonami would trend alongside Mashle and Blue Exorcist.

The feature for the January 4-5 edition of Toonami featured a new Toonami ID titled “Laser TOM.” You can check it out below:

January 11-12’s feature was a game review for Squirrel with a Gun, an indie action-adventure game developed by Dee Dee Creations and published by Maximum Entertainment. It received a 7.5 out of 10 score.

The developers of Squirrel with a Gun, were quite happy about the Toonami bump on Twitter.

January 18-19 saw another new Toonami ID, titled “Strange Ritual.”

And the feature for January 25-26 was supposed to be a game review for the newest Indiana Jones video game by Bethesda, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Game. I say supposed to as the Cartoon Network broadcast control accidentally showcased a promo for Barney’s World, the newest animated series in the Barney franchise, which was probably meant to be showcased during the Cartoonito early morning hours rather than on Adult Swim/Toonami. Nonetheless, it received a score of 9/10 and you can check out that game review below.

Unfortunately, Adult Swim has decided to pull the plug on Toonami Rewind in the new year as the Friday afternoon throwback lineup was retired by the end of the year, with said timeslots being given back to Checkered Past. No official reason was given why Toonami Rewind was canceled. Alongside potential issues with Toonami bringing in additional programming for Rewind, it is likely that Adult Swim is seeing a change in strategy with the network inking a deal with Disney to bring Family Guy back to the late-night programming block for the first time since 2021. It’s not all lost, however, as the Rewind lineup would be “merged back” into the Saturday night Toonami lineup, with Naruto starting over from the beginning starting January 11th, while Sailor Moon returning on January 25th.

Mike McFarland, voice actor and ADR Director whom has lent his talents to many Toonami shows over the years including Dragon Ball, Full Metal Alchemist and Attack on Titan, was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor after originally dealing with symptoms of an ear infection. Fortunately, Mike underwent emergency surgery to successfully remove the tumor and is presently recovering. Our thoughts go out to Mike as he recovers, and if you wish to help Mike in a philanthropic way, feel free to donate to his GoFundMe set up by his colleagues.

Studio MAPPA on Friday has released new info and a key visual for Shinichiro Watanabe’s new series Lazarus. The season will be 13 episodes in length and will be airing in Japan on TV Tokyo this April 2025. Adult Swim has also announced on Instagram that Lazarus will also be airing on Toonami stateside in April with a concrete premiere date TBA. We’ll keep you posted.

Finally, The Pillows, the band best known among anime fans for creating the theme music for FLCL, has just announced that they have disbanded after 35 years following their January 31st concert in Yokohama. The band members plan on continuing their respective careers individually. All I can say is, Thank you, our twilights, and Ride on Shooting Star.

Until next time, hope you have a Happy Black History month, congratulations to the Ohio State Buckeyes for winning the National Championship, and of course, our thoughts go out to all those affected by the Southern California Wildfires. While the major fires have been fully contained after weeks of effort from first responders, at least 29 people have lost their lives; and thousands of residents, including voice actors Amanda Winn Lee and Melissa Fahn, have lost their homes. If you wish to help in a philanthropic way, make sure to donate to a reputable organization, including the Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles, the California Community Foundation, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, The Los Angeles Police Foundation, and gofundme (including one for Melissa Fahn. Amanda herself, in lieu of donations, has requested donators to purchase something from her Amazon Registry for her.)

Legend: The shows listed are ordered based on their appearance on the schedule. Show trends are listed in bold. The number next to the listed trend represents the highest it trended on the list (not counting the promoted trend), judging only by the images placed in the rundown. For the Twitter tweet counts, the listed number of tweets are also sorely based on the highest number shown based on the images on the rundown.

January 11-12, 2025 Trends

United States Trends:

#Toonami [#6]

#Mashle [#14]

#InvincibleFightGirl [Trended with #Toonami and #BlueExorcist]

#BlueExorcist [#13]

Tweet Counts:

#Toonami [2,505 tweets]

#Mashle [1,379 tweets]

#BlueExorcist [1,825 tweets]

January 18-19, 2025 Trends

United States Trends:

#Toonami [#27]

Tweet Counts:

#Toonami [2,224 tweets]

January 25-26, 2025 Trends

United States Trends:

#Toonami [#4]

#Mashle [Trended with #Toonami]

#BlueExorcist [Trended with #Toonami]

Tweet Counts:

#Toonami [2,445 tweets]

Tumblr Trends:

#one piece [#7]

If you wish to send me a tip for the work on the trending rundown, donations can be sent to PayPal.Me/DanielLimjoco.

It’s not the year, SARA. It’s the mileage. Only Toonami on [adult swim] on Cartoon Network.

[ncisfranchise-source]

Emily Wickersham has yet another exciting and major life update. After the NCIS actress revealed she was expecting her second baby earlier this month, she's now a married woman. Wickersham took to Instagram to share that she and partner and baby daddy James Badge Dale tied the knot on Friday. She shared some sweet photos and videos from the casual wedding, where the two of them wore jeans and white shirts while out in the streets to start their new life together.

Wickersham was previously married to musician Blake Hanley from 2010 to 2018. After going public with her relationship with Dale in 2021, the two welcomed their son, Cassius, just in time to ring in 2022. It's unknown how far along Wickersham is with her current pregnancy, but from the looks of her baby bump, it's likely she will welcome her newest little one before the end of the year.

Longtime NCIS star Brian Dietzen took to the comments to share some well wishes."Congrats Em! So happy for you guys!" he wrote alongside two red heart emojis. Additionally, Sean Murray, Diona Reasonover, and NCIS: LA's Eric Christian Olsen liked the post. While she exited the Mothership series in Season 18, it's clear that she is still very much part of the family, and it's definitely sweet to see.

As for Emily Wickersham's new hubby, James Badge Dale, is best known for his roles on 24, The Pacific, The Departed, and Iron Man 3. Other credits include Lord of the Flies, The Grey, Only the Brave, CSI, and Hightown, among others. He's set to star in the upcoming Apple TV+ miniseries The Savant and the 2025 film On the End. Whether the happy couple have any plans to work together is unknown, but now that they are married and expecting another child, that might just be enough for them, at least for now.

Whatever the two have planned for the future, it seems like they are as happy as ever. Wickersham is having quite a lot of life updates lately, and whether she has plans to return to NCIS as Ellie Bishop, it might be taking a backseat due to her everything going on right now. She sure does have a good excuse, though, because between having another baby and getting married, she's living the life.

[heartsleevemag]

Heartsleeve Magazine's Friday Five

by Vi McDonald

Welcome to the first installment of Heartsleeve's Friday Five, a biweekly playlist update where we choose five new (or new-to-us) tracks that get our blood pumping. No genres, no rules, just heart.

1. "FLOAT" – JANELLE MONÁE

I've been anticipating new music from Black queer icon Janelle Monáe since her 2018 LP, Dirty Computer, gave us dance-worthy, still-introspective hits like "Make Me Feel," and "Screwed." And her new single, "Float," doesn't disappoint; Monáe spends this track bragging about a (well-deserved) newfound confidence. "Fucked around and got more FREE," she shared in an Instagram post on her birthday in December 2022, prior to announcing the song's release. That freedom shines through in lines like, "It's hard to look at my resume and not find a reason to toast," and "My face card don't come with a limit, I swipe it, I spend it, I swear I be doing the most." If this is a preview of what's to come on JM5, I don't think I'll be able to shake off the Monáe magic this summer. And that's a good thing.

2. "BED" – EDEN RAIN

The new single from UK artist Eden Rain gripped me because of its honesty and relatability, something that she prides herself on infusing into her music. "Bed (For A Year)" is loosely based on the novel The Woman Who Went To Bed For A Year by Sue Townsend, a book that sat untouched on Eden's shelf until she finally read it while depressed and wished she, too, could stay in bed for a year. "I return to the book (and the bed) when life gets hard and I wanted to write an ode to that," she shared. Eden's voice holds many influences, but ultimately feels like being wrapped in a warm, safe blanket. And this track feels like something I'll come back to when I feel like I could sleep for a year.

3. "KILL FOR ME" – AÁYANNA

Specially released as a Valentine's Day single, Chicago-born Atlanta native Aáyanna delivers sultry R&B darkness on "Kill For Me." Discussing the song, Aáyanna said, "One of the best feelings in my opinion is being with someone who makes you feel safe and protected— somebody who doesn’t play about you, and I wanted to convey that with this song." And with layered vocals over a trap beat, lyrics asking "Put 'em in they place, keep 'em in check," this is a song that knows what it wants and isn't afraid to demand it.

4. "AFTER HOURS" – ALY AND AJ

Aly and AJ have been making music for a long time. From 2005’s Into the Rush to 2021’s a touch of the beat… they’ve explored pop, rock, electronica, and more. But with “After Hours,” the newest single from their forthcoming album, With Love From, they seem to be moving towards upbeat indie. The song is a celebration of relaxation and releasing stress. “After hours, that’s when I’m out of my head. I’m a live wire, that’s when I’m at my best,” they harmonize over guitars and a catchy drumbeat. It’s a fun track that everyone who enjoys going out and letting loose every once in a while can appreciate, and everything about the song screams carefree; it’ll be a perfect vibe for the spring weather once it finally arrives.

5. "PRAY IT AWAY" – CHLÖE

The moment I first pressed play on Chlöe's new single, "Pray It Away," I was captivated. Chlöe's range is always astonishing, but on this track she flows seamlessly from her lower register to high notes, blending gospel and R&B influences into something that feels like home but still manages to be surprising and unique. I'm disappointed when this one ends, and find myself playing it two or three times before I'm satisfied.

You can listen to Heartsleeve's Friday Five playlist on Spotify HERE.

[tameblog]

Happy Friday GPODers! Last month we had two guest posts from Fine Gardening‘s digital editor, Christine Alexander, who shared some behind-the-scenes photos from a fall video shoot at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (If you missed those, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2). Today, Christine is taking us to a drastically different public garden, as we revisit her trip to Monteverde Orchid Garden in Costa Rica. This hidden gem is located in the lush (and rare) cloud forests of the Puntarenas province, which are teaming with biodiversity and the perfect climate for this fabulous array of exotic, tropical plants. So this submission is very late in coming, but as an excuse–there has been a lot going on! My husband and I were supposed to be married in 2021, but due to covid we ended up postponing it from June of that year to May of 2022. Despite this, we decided to keep our planned honeymoon to Costa Rica on August of 2021. At that time, cases were low and we desperately needed a break from all of the stress the pandemic has wrought. Costa Rica was so beautiful and it was such a special trip that we ended up eloping while we were there. I have probably 500 photos I could share of the beauty of that country but I decided to send you something kind of cool that we accidentally ran into which is the Monteverde Orchid Garden. Despite working at Fine Gardening for 7 years, I have to admit I didn’t know much about orchids and was astounded to learn some of the specifics that make them special – for instance, many orchids have exclusive relationships with a specific pollinator, that they have developed incredible ways to lure insects into their flowers for pollination such as mimicking the scent of pheromones of the opposite sex or even the smell of rotting flesh all in an effort to attract insects to pollinate them. Other orchids are noted for their highly floral or sweet scent and are often used in perfumery as a result. The cooking ingredient vanilla actually comes from an orchid, the Vanilla planifolia. (You can learn how to grow your own vanilla orchid here). The Monteverde Orchid garden has over 450 varieties or orchids, including the smallest orchids in the world – which we needed a magnifying glass to view. It is a small garden, but packed full of flowers and information. Highly recommend checking it out if you are an orchidist or have orchidelirium, (the history of which is fascinating!) More on orchids: We’re starting off small (I think either a type of Rudolfiella or Polystachya), but not as small as they get! As Christine mentioned, Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to some of the world’s smallest orchids, and the tiniest specimens need a very good lens and the perfect lighting to be able to capture more than a blurry speck of color. To see their tiniest blooms, be sure to check out the Monteverde Orchid Garden Instagram: @monteverdeorchidgarden. And a disclaimer: Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world, with over 25,000 different species that have wildly diverse characteristics. It is no small feat to become well-versed in the world of orchids, and it takes years of dedication to be an expert. I tried my best to identify all of the orchids shown, but I apologize in advance for any plants I incorrectly label. If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into orchids, I encourage you to seek out other great resources available like the American Orchid Society. When most of us think of orchids, the image of big, colorful blooms on top of a thin stem likely comes to mind. The moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) and similar species that make an appearance in grocery stores at least once every year. However, this diverse plant family is full of a wide variety of plant forms. The zigzag of overlapping leaves on the Oersted’s lockhartia (Lockhartia oerstedii) give the plant a fabulous texture. Another form that doesn’t immediately come to mind when we think ‘orchid’, the foliage of Maxillaria valenzuela fans out and creates a spectacular shape when hanging or potted. Of course, hanging from a tree in its natural environment gives you the added bonus of seeing those spectacular roots at work! The Lycaste genus of orchids have very distinct, long sepals that contrast the colors of the petals. If you look toward the base of the plant in the background you’ll see another Lycaste identifier, their other-worldly egg-shaped pseudobulbs. We all know insects that masquerade as plants, but have you ever seen a plant that could be mistaken for a pollinator? The aptly named Kramer’s butterfly orchid (Psychopsis krameriana) appears to have wings, long antenna, and even a spooky little face if you look closely. Of course, orchids aren’t the only flowers you’ll see at Monteverde Orchid Garden. Even the humble hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica, Zones 5–10) looks extra spectacular in this tropical forest environment. Like the Maxillaria valenzuela we saw above, many orchids are made even more enthralling by their ability to hang and grow from trees and other plant structures. This hanging is not only a visual appeal, but often a crucial part of the survival of the plant. Stanhopea wardii uses this hanging as well as their unique shape and coloring to mimic the female euglossine bee. The orchid does this so well that male euglossine bees are actually tricked into pollinating! And although orchids are often staked and supported for blooms to be upright, there are several species with flowers that will spill even when grown in a traditional container. Helmut gongora (Gongora galeata) is one of those species, with its odd string of curling blooms. Another example is densely flowered acineta (Acineta densa), with clusters of glossy yellow blooms. I also love that the orchid’s buds look like the largest green grapes you’ve ever seen. A closer look at Acineta densa reveals the speckled red petals hidden inside. While orchids are obviously the highlight of this garden, there are many other tropical plants to be seen. Thankfully, we have another batch of fantastic photos from Christine to enjoy next week. In the mean time, remember to check out @monteverdeorchidgarden on Instagram. If you have photos of past travels (from last year or the last several years), winter is a great time to reminisce and revel in warmer days. If you decide to go through any old photos this weekend, consider sharing any garden photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad. Have a fantastic weekend!   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach. Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs. Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. Source link

[ramestoryworld]

Happy Friday GPODers! Last month we had two guest posts from Fine Gardening‘s digital editor, Christine Alexander, who shared some behind-the-scenes photos from a fall video shoot at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (If you missed those, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2). Today, Christine is taking us to a drastically different public garden, as we revisit her trip to Monteverde Orchid Garden in Costa Rica. This hidden gem is located in the lush (and rare) cloud forests of the Puntarenas province, which are teaming with biodiversity and the perfect climate for this fabulous array of exotic, tropical plants. So this submission is very late in coming, but as an excuse–there has been a lot going on! My husband and I were supposed to be married in 2021, but due to covid we ended up postponing it from June of that year to May of 2022. Despite this, we decided to keep our planned honeymoon to Costa Rica on August of 2021. At that time, cases were low and we desperately needed a break from all of the stress the pandemic has wrought. Costa Rica was so beautiful and it was such a special trip that we ended up eloping while we were there. I have probably 500 photos I could share of the beauty of that country but I decided to send you something kind of cool that we accidentally ran into which is the Monteverde Orchid Garden. Despite working at Fine Gardening for 7 years, I have to admit I didn’t know much about orchids and was astounded to learn some of the specifics that make them special – for instance, many orchids have exclusive relationships with a specific pollinator, that they have developed incredible ways to lure insects into their flowers for pollination such as mimicking the scent of pheromones of the opposite sex or even the smell of rotting flesh all in an effort to attract insects to pollinate them. Other orchids are noted for their highly floral or sweet scent and are often used in perfumery as a result. The cooking ingredient vanilla actually comes from an orchid, the Vanilla planifolia. (You can learn how to grow your own vanilla orchid here). The Monteverde Orchid garden has over 450 varieties or orchids, including the smallest orchids in the world – which we needed a magnifying glass to view. It is a small garden, but packed full of flowers and information. Highly recommend checking it out if you are an orchidist or have orchidelirium, (the history of which is fascinating!) More on orchids: We’re starting off small (I think either a type of Rudolfiella or Polystachya), but not as small as they get! As Christine mentioned, Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to some of the world’s smallest orchids, and the tiniest specimens need a very good lens and the perfect lighting to be able to capture more than a blurry speck of color. To see their tiniest blooms, be sure to check out the Monteverde Orchid Garden Instagram: @monteverdeorchidgarden. And a disclaimer: Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world, with over 25,000 different species that have wildly diverse characteristics. It is no small feat to become well-versed in the world of orchids, and it takes years of dedication to be an expert. I tried my best to identify all of the orchids shown, but I apologize in advance for any plants I incorrectly label. If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into orchids, I encourage you to seek out other great resources available like the American Orchid Society. When most of us think of orchids, the image of big, colorful blooms on top of a thin stem likely comes to mind. The moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) and similar species that make an appearance in grocery stores at least once every year. However, this diverse plant family is full of a wide variety of plant forms. The zigzag of overlapping leaves on the Oersted’s lockhartia (Lockhartia oerstedii) give the plant a fabulous texture. Another form that doesn’t immediately come to mind when we think ‘orchid’, the foliage of Maxillaria valenzuela fans out and creates a spectacular shape when hanging or potted. Of course, hanging from a tree in its natural environment gives you the added bonus of seeing those spectacular roots at work! The Lycaste genus of orchids have very distinct, long sepals that contrast the colors of the petals. If you look toward the base of the plant in the background you’ll see another Lycaste identifier, their other-worldly egg-shaped pseudobulbs. We all know insects that masquerade as plants, but have you ever seen a plant that could be mistaken for a pollinator? The aptly named Kramer’s butterfly orchid (Psychopsis krameriana) appears to have wings, long antenna, and even a spooky little face if you look closely. Of course, orchids aren’t the only flowers you’ll see at Monteverde Orchid Garden. Even the humble hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica, Zones 5–10) looks extra spectacular in this tropical forest environment. Like the Maxillaria valenzuela we saw above, many orchids are made even more enthralling by their ability to hang and grow from trees and other plant structures. This hanging is not only a visual appeal, but often a crucial part of the survival of the plant. Stanhopea wardii uses this hanging as well as their unique shape and coloring to mimic the female euglossine bee. The orchid does this so well that male euglossine bees are actually tricked into pollinating! And although orchids are often staked and supported for blooms to be upright, there are several species with flowers that will spill even when grown in a traditional container. Helmut gongora (Gongora galeata) is one of those species, with its odd string of curling blooms. Another example is densely flowered acineta (Acineta densa), with clusters of glossy yellow blooms. I also love that the orchid’s buds look like the largest green grapes you’ve ever seen. A closer look at Acineta densa reveals the speckled red petals hidden inside. While orchids are obviously the highlight of this garden, there are many other tropical plants to be seen. Thankfully, we have another batch of fantastic photos from Christine to enjoy next week. In the mean time, remember to check out @monteverdeorchidgarden on Instagram. If you have photos of past travels (from last year or the last several years), winter is a great time to reminisce and revel in warmer days. If you decide to go through any old photos this weekend, consider sharing any garden photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad. Have a fantastic weekend!   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach. Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs. Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. Source link

[alexha2210]

Happy Friday GPODers! Last month we had two guest posts from Fine Gardening‘s digital editor, Christine Alexander, who shared some behind-the-scenes photos from a fall video shoot at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (If you missed those, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2). Today, Christine is taking us to a drastically different public garden, as we revisit her trip to Monteverde Orchid Garden in Costa Rica. This hidden gem is located in the lush (and rare) cloud forests of the Puntarenas province, which are teaming with biodiversity and the perfect climate for this fabulous array of exotic, tropical plants. So this submission is very late in coming, but as an excuse–there has been a lot going on! My husband and I were supposed to be married in 2021, but due to covid we ended up postponing it from June of that year to May of 2022. Despite this, we decided to keep our planned honeymoon to Costa Rica on August of 2021. At that time, cases were low and we desperately needed a break from all of the stress the pandemic has wrought. Costa Rica was so beautiful and it was such a special trip that we ended up eloping while we were there. I have probably 500 photos I could share of the beauty of that country but I decided to send you something kind of cool that we accidentally ran into which is the Monteverde Orchid Garden. Despite working at Fine Gardening for 7 years, I have to admit I didn’t know much about orchids and was astounded to learn some of the specifics that make them special – for instance, many orchids have exclusive relationships with a specific pollinator, that they have developed incredible ways to lure insects into their flowers for pollination such as mimicking the scent of pheromones of the opposite sex or even the smell of rotting flesh all in an effort to attract insects to pollinate them. Other orchids are noted for their highly floral or sweet scent and are often used in perfumery as a result. The cooking ingredient vanilla actually comes from an orchid, the Vanilla planifolia. (You can learn how to grow your own vanilla orchid here). The Monteverde Orchid garden has over 450 varieties or orchids, including the smallest orchids in the world – which we needed a magnifying glass to view. It is a small garden, but packed full of flowers and information. Highly recommend checking it out if you are an orchidist or have orchidelirium, (the history of which is fascinating!) More on orchids: We’re starting off small (I think either a type of Rudolfiella or Polystachya), but not as small as they get! As Christine mentioned, Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to some of the world’s smallest orchids, and the tiniest specimens need a very good lens and the perfect lighting to be able to capture more than a blurry speck of color. To see their tiniest blooms, be sure to check out the Monteverde Orchid Garden Instagram: @monteverdeorchidgarden. And a disclaimer: Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world, with over 25,000 different species that have wildly diverse characteristics. It is no small feat to become well-versed in the world of orchids, and it takes years of dedication to be an expert. I tried my best to identify all of the orchids shown, but I apologize in advance for any plants I incorrectly label. If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into orchids, I encourage you to seek out other great resources available like the American Orchid Society. When most of us think of orchids, the image of big, colorful blooms on top of a thin stem likely comes to mind. The moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) and similar species that make an appearance in grocery stores at least once every year. However, this diverse plant family is full of a wide variety of plant forms. The zigzag of overlapping leaves on the Oersted’s lockhartia (Lockhartia oerstedii) give the plant a fabulous texture. Another form that doesn’t immediately come to mind when we think ‘orchid’, the foliage of Maxillaria valenzuela fans out and creates a spectacular shape when hanging or potted. Of course, hanging from a tree in its natural environment gives you the added bonus of seeing those spectacular roots at work! The Lycaste genus of orchids have very distinct, long sepals that contrast the colors of the petals. If you look toward the base of the plant in the background you’ll see another Lycaste identifier, their other-worldly egg-shaped pseudobulbs. We all know insects that masquerade as plants, but have you ever seen a plant that could be mistaken for a pollinator? The aptly named Kramer’s butterfly orchid (Psychopsis krameriana) appears to have wings, long antenna, and even a spooky little face if you look closely. Of course, orchids aren’t the only flowers you’ll see at Monteverde Orchid Garden. Even the humble hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica, Zones 5–10) looks extra spectacular in this tropical forest environment. Like the Maxillaria valenzuela we saw above, many orchids are made even more enthralling by their ability to hang and grow from trees and other plant structures. This hanging is not only a visual appeal, but often a crucial part of the survival of the plant. Stanhopea wardii uses this hanging as well as their unique shape and coloring to mimic the female euglossine bee. The orchid does this so well that male euglossine bees are actually tricked into pollinating! And although orchids are often staked and supported for blooms to be upright, there are several species with flowers that will spill even when grown in a traditional container. Helmut gongora (Gongora galeata) is one of those species, with its odd string of curling blooms. Another example is densely flowered acineta (Acineta densa), with clusters of glossy yellow blooms. I also love that the orchid’s buds look like the largest green grapes you’ve ever seen. A closer look at Acineta densa reveals the speckled red petals hidden inside. While orchids are obviously the highlight of this garden, there are many other tropical plants to be seen. Thankfully, we have another batch of fantastic photos from Christine to enjoy next week. In the mean time, remember to check out @monteverdeorchidgarden on Instagram. If you have photos of past travels (from last year or the last several years), winter is a great time to reminisce and revel in warmer days. If you decide to go through any old photos this weekend, consider sharing any garden photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad. Have a fantastic weekend!   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach. Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs. Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. Source link

[angusstory]

Happy Friday GPODers! Last month we had two guest posts from Fine Gardening‘s digital editor, Christine Alexander, who shared some behind-the-scenes photos from a fall video shoot at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (If you missed those, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2). Today, Christine is taking us to a drastically different public garden, as we revisit her trip to Monteverde Orchid Garden in Costa Rica. This hidden gem is located in the lush (and rare) cloud forests of the Puntarenas province, which are teaming with biodiversity and the perfect climate for this fabulous array of exotic, tropical plants. So this submission is very late in coming, but as an excuse–there has been a lot going on! My husband and I were supposed to be married in 2021, but due to covid we ended up postponing it from June of that year to May of 2022. Despite this, we decided to keep our planned honeymoon to Costa Rica on August of 2021. At that time, cases were low and we desperately needed a break from all of the stress the pandemic has wrought. Costa Rica was so beautiful and it was such a special trip that we ended up eloping while we were there. I have probably 500 photos I could share of the beauty of that country but I decided to send you something kind of cool that we accidentally ran into which is the Monteverde Orchid Garden. Despite working at Fine Gardening for 7 years, I have to admit I didn’t know much about orchids and was astounded to learn some of the specifics that make them special – for instance, many orchids have exclusive relationships with a specific pollinator, that they have developed incredible ways to lure insects into their flowers for pollination such as mimicking the scent of pheromones of the opposite sex or even the smell of rotting flesh all in an effort to attract insects to pollinate them. Other orchids are noted for their highly floral or sweet scent and are often used in perfumery as a result. The cooking ingredient vanilla actually comes from an orchid, the Vanilla planifolia. (You can learn how to grow your own vanilla orchid here). The Monteverde Orchid garden has over 450 varieties or orchids, including the smallest orchids in the world – which we needed a magnifying glass to view. It is a small garden, but packed full of flowers and information. Highly recommend checking it out if you are an orchidist or have orchidelirium, (the history of which is fascinating!) More on orchids: We’re starting off small (I think either a type of Rudolfiella or Polystachya), but not as small as they get! As Christine mentioned, Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to some of the world’s smallest orchids, and the tiniest specimens need a very good lens and the perfect lighting to be able to capture more than a blurry speck of color. To see their tiniest blooms, be sure to check out the Monteverde Orchid Garden Instagram: @monteverdeorchidgarden. And a disclaimer: Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world, with over 25,000 different species that have wildly diverse characteristics. It is no small feat to become well-versed in the world of orchids, and it takes years of dedication to be an expert. I tried my best to identify all of the orchids shown, but I apologize in advance for any plants I incorrectly label. If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into orchids, I encourage you to seek out other great resources available like the American Orchid Society. When most of us think of orchids, the image of big, colorful blooms on top of a thin stem likely comes to mind. The moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) and similar species that make an appearance in grocery stores at least once every year. However, this diverse plant family is full of a wide variety of plant forms. The zigzag of overlapping leaves on the Oersted’s lockhartia (Lockhartia oerstedii) give the plant a fabulous texture. Another form that doesn’t immediately come to mind when we think ‘orchid’, the foliage of Maxillaria valenzuela fans out and creates a spectacular shape when hanging or potted. Of course, hanging from a tree in its natural environment gives you the added bonus of seeing those spectacular roots at work! The Lycaste genus of orchids have very distinct, long sepals that contrast the colors of the petals. If you look toward the base of the plant in the background you’ll see another Lycaste identifier, their other-worldly egg-shaped pseudobulbs. We all know insects that masquerade as plants, but have you ever seen a plant that could be mistaken for a pollinator? The aptly named Kramer’s butterfly orchid (Psychopsis krameriana) appears to have wings, long antenna, and even a spooky little face if you look closely. Of course, orchids aren’t the only flowers you’ll see at Monteverde Orchid Garden. Even the humble hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica, Zones 5–10) looks extra spectacular in this tropical forest environment. Like the Maxillaria valenzuela we saw above, many orchids are made even more enthralling by their ability to hang and grow from trees and other plant structures. This hanging is not only a visual appeal, but often a crucial part of the survival of the plant. Stanhopea wardii uses this hanging as well as their unique shape and coloring to mimic the female euglossine bee. The orchid does this so well that male euglossine bees are actually tricked into pollinating! And although orchids are often staked and supported for blooms to be upright, there are several species with flowers that will spill even when grown in a traditional container. Helmut gongora (Gongora galeata) is one of those species, with its odd string of curling blooms. Another example is densely flowered acineta (Acineta densa), with clusters of glossy yellow blooms. I also love that the orchid’s buds look like the largest green grapes you’ve ever seen. A closer look at Acineta densa reveals the speckled red petals hidden inside. While orchids are obviously the highlight of this garden, there are many other tropical plants to be seen. Thankfully, we have another batch of fantastic photos from Christine to enjoy next week. In the mean time, remember to check out @monteverdeorchidgarden on Instagram. If you have photos of past travels (from last year or the last several years), winter is a great time to reminisce and revel in warmer days. If you decide to go through any old photos this weekend, consider sharing any garden photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad. Have a fantastic weekend!   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach. Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs. Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. Source link

[tumibaba]

Happy Friday GPODers! Last month we had two guest posts from Fine Gardening‘s digital editor, Christine Alexander, who shared some behind-the-scenes photos from a fall video shoot at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (If you missed those, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2). Today, Christine is taking us to a drastically different public garden, as we revisit her trip to Monteverde Orchid Garden in Costa Rica. This hidden gem is located in the lush (and rare) cloud forests of the Puntarenas province, which are teaming with biodiversity and the perfect climate for this fabulous array of exotic, tropical plants. So this submission is very late in coming, but as an excuse–there has been a lot going on! My husband and I were supposed to be married in 2021, but due to covid we ended up postponing it from June of that year to May of 2022. Despite this, we decided to keep our planned honeymoon to Costa Rica on August of 2021. At that time, cases were low and we desperately needed a break from all of the stress the pandemic has wrought. Costa Rica was so beautiful and it was such a special trip that we ended up eloping while we were there. I have probably 500 photos I could share of the beauty of that country but I decided to send you something kind of cool that we accidentally ran into which is the Monteverde Orchid Garden. Despite working at Fine Gardening for 7 years, I have to admit I didn’t know much about orchids and was astounded to learn some of the specifics that make them special – for instance, many orchids have exclusive relationships with a specific pollinator, that they have developed incredible ways to lure insects into their flowers for pollination such as mimicking the scent of pheromones of the opposite sex or even the smell of rotting flesh all in an effort to attract insects to pollinate them. Other orchids are noted for their highly floral or sweet scent and are often used in perfumery as a result. The cooking ingredient vanilla actually comes from an orchid, the Vanilla planifolia. (You can learn how to grow your own vanilla orchid here). The Monteverde Orchid garden has over 450 varieties or orchids, including the smallest orchids in the world – which we needed a magnifying glass to view. It is a small garden, but packed full of flowers and information. Highly recommend checking it out if you are an orchidist or have orchidelirium, (the history of which is fascinating!) More on orchids: We’re starting off small (I think either a type of Rudolfiella or Polystachya), but not as small as they get! As Christine mentioned, Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to some of the world’s smallest orchids, and the tiniest specimens need a very good lens and the perfect lighting to be able to capture more than a blurry speck of color. To see their tiniest blooms, be sure to check out the Monteverde Orchid Garden Instagram: @monteverdeorchidgarden. And a disclaimer: Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world, with over 25,000 different species that have wildly diverse characteristics. It is no small feat to become well-versed in the world of orchids, and it takes years of dedication to be an expert. I tried my best to identify all of the orchids shown, but I apologize in advance for any plants I incorrectly label. If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into orchids, I encourage you to seek out other great resources available like the American Orchid Society. When most of us think of orchids, the image of big, colorful blooms on top of a thin stem likely comes to mind. The moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) and similar species that make an appearance in grocery stores at least once every year. However, this diverse plant family is full of a wide variety of plant forms. The zigzag of overlapping leaves on the Oersted’s lockhartia (Lockhartia oerstedii) give the plant a fabulous texture. Another form that doesn’t immediately come to mind when we think ‘orchid’, the foliage of Maxillaria valenzuela fans out and creates a spectacular shape when hanging or potted. Of course, hanging from a tree in its natural environment gives you the added bonus of seeing those spectacular roots at work! The Lycaste genus of orchids have very distinct, long sepals that contrast the colors of the petals. If you look toward the base of the plant in the background you’ll see another Lycaste identifier, their other-worldly egg-shaped pseudobulbs. We all know insects that masquerade as plants, but have you ever seen a plant that could be mistaken for a pollinator? The aptly named Kramer’s butterfly orchid (Psychopsis krameriana) appears to have wings, long antenna, and even a spooky little face if you look closely. Of course, orchids aren’t the only flowers you’ll see at Monteverde Orchid Garden. Even the humble hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica, Zones 5–10) looks extra spectacular in this tropical forest environment. Like the Maxillaria valenzuela we saw above, many orchids are made even more enthralling by their ability to hang and grow from trees and other plant structures. This hanging is not only a visual appeal, but often a crucial part of the survival of the plant. Stanhopea wardii uses this hanging as well as their unique shape and coloring to mimic the female euglossine bee. The orchid does this so well that male euglossine bees are actually tricked into pollinating! And although orchids are often staked and supported for blooms to be upright, there are several species with flowers that will spill even when grown in a traditional container. Helmut gongora (Gongora galeata) is one of those species, with its odd string of curling blooms. Another example is densely flowered acineta (Acineta densa), with clusters of glossy yellow blooms. I also love that the orchid’s buds look like the largest green grapes you’ve ever seen. A closer look at Acineta densa reveals the speckled red petals hidden inside. While orchids are obviously the highlight of this garden, there are many other tropical plants to be seen. Thankfully, we have another batch of fantastic photos from Christine to enjoy next week. In the mean time, remember to check out @monteverdeorchidgarden on Instagram. If you have photos of past travels (from last year or the last several years), winter is a great time to reminisce and revel in warmer days. If you decide to go through any old photos this weekend, consider sharing any garden photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad. Have a fantastic weekend!   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach. Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs. Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. Source link

[romaleen]

Happy Friday GPODers! Last month we had two guest posts from Fine Gardening‘s digital editor, Christine Alexander, who shared some behind-the-scenes photos from a fall video shoot at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (If you missed those, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2). Today, Christine is taking us to a drastically different public garden, as we revisit her trip to Monteverde Orchid Garden in Costa Rica. This hidden gem is located in the lush (and rare) cloud forests of the Puntarenas province, which are teaming with biodiversity and the perfect climate for this fabulous array of exotic, tropical plants. So this submission is very late in coming, but as an excuse–there has been a lot going on! My husband and I were supposed to be married in 2021, but due to covid we ended up postponing it from June of that year to May of 2022. Despite this, we decided to keep our planned honeymoon to Costa Rica on August of 2021. At that time, cases were low and we desperately needed a break from all of the stress the pandemic has wrought. Costa Rica was so beautiful and it was such a special trip that we ended up eloping while we were there. I have probably 500 photos I could share of the beauty of that country but I decided to send you something kind of cool that we accidentally ran into which is the Monteverde Orchid Garden. Despite working at Fine Gardening for 7 years, I have to admit I didn’t know much about orchids and was astounded to learn some of the specifics that make them special – for instance, many orchids have exclusive relationships with a specific pollinator, that they have developed incredible ways to lure insects into their flowers for pollination such as mimicking the scent of pheromones of the opposite sex or even the smell of rotting flesh all in an effort to attract insects to pollinate them. Other orchids are noted for their highly floral or sweet scent and are often used in perfumery as a result. The cooking ingredient vanilla actually comes from an orchid, the Vanilla planifolia. (You can learn how to grow your own vanilla orchid here). The Monteverde Orchid garden has over 450 varieties or orchids, including the smallest orchids in the world – which we needed a magnifying glass to view. It is a small garden, but packed full of flowers and information. Highly recommend checking it out if you are an orchidist or have orchidelirium, (the history of which is fascinating!) More on orchids: We’re starting off small (I think either a type of Rudolfiella or Polystachya), but not as small as they get! As Christine mentioned, Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to some of the world’s smallest orchids, and the tiniest specimens need a very good lens and the perfect lighting to be able to capture more than a blurry speck of color. To see their tiniest blooms, be sure to check out the Monteverde Orchid Garden Instagram: @monteverdeorchidgarden. And a disclaimer: Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world, with over 25,000 different species that have wildly diverse characteristics. It is no small feat to become well-versed in the world of orchids, and it takes years of dedication to be an expert. I tried my best to identify all of the orchids shown, but I apologize in advance for any plants I incorrectly label. If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into orchids, I encourage you to seek out other great resources available like the American Orchid Society. When most of us think of orchids, the image of big, colorful blooms on top of a thin stem likely comes to mind. The moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) and similar species that make an appearance in grocery stores at least once every year. However, this diverse plant family is full of a wide variety of plant forms. The zigzag of overlapping leaves on the Oersted’s lockhartia (Lockhartia oerstedii) give the plant a fabulous texture. Another form that doesn’t immediately come to mind when we think ‘orchid’, the foliage of Maxillaria valenzuela fans out and creates a spectacular shape when hanging or potted. Of course, hanging from a tree in its natural environment gives you the added bonus of seeing those spectacular roots at work! The Lycaste genus of orchids have very distinct, long sepals that contrast the colors of the petals. If you look toward the base of the plant in the background you’ll see another Lycaste identifier, their other-worldly egg-shaped pseudobulbs. We all know insects that masquerade as plants, but have you ever seen a plant that could be mistaken for a pollinator? The aptly named Kramer’s butterfly orchid (Psychopsis krameriana) appears to have wings, long antenna, and even a spooky little face if you look closely. Of course, orchids aren’t the only flowers you’ll see at Monteverde Orchid Garden. Even the humble hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica, Zones 5–10) looks extra spectacular in this tropical forest environment. Like the Maxillaria valenzuela we saw above, many orchids are made even more enthralling by their ability to hang and grow from trees and other plant structures. This hanging is not only a visual appeal, but often a crucial part of the survival of the plant. Stanhopea wardii uses this hanging as well as their unique shape and coloring to mimic the female euglossine bee. The orchid does this so well that male euglossine bees are actually tricked into pollinating! And although orchids are often staked and supported for blooms to be upright, there are several species with flowers that will spill even when grown in a traditional container. Helmut gongora (Gongora galeata) is one of those species, with its odd string of curling blooms. Another example is densely flowered acineta (Acineta densa), with clusters of glossy yellow blooms. I also love that the orchid’s buds look like the largest green grapes you’ve ever seen. A closer look at Acineta densa reveals the speckled red petals hidden inside. While orchids are obviously the highlight of this garden, there are many other tropical plants to be seen. Thankfully, we have another batch of fantastic photos from Christine to enjoy next week. In the mean time, remember to check out @monteverdeorchidgarden on Instagram. If you have photos of past travels (from last year or the last several years), winter is a great time to reminisce and revel in warmer days. If you decide to go through any old photos this weekend, consider sharing any garden photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad. Have a fantastic weekend!   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach. Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs. Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. Source link

[monaleen101]

Happy Friday GPODers! Last month we had two guest posts from Fine Gardening‘s digital editor, Christine Alexander, who shared some behind-the-scenes photos from a fall video shoot at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (If you missed those, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2). Today, Christine is taking us to a drastically different public garden, as we revisit her trip to Monteverde Orchid Garden in Costa Rica. This hidden gem is located in the lush (and rare) cloud forests of the Puntarenas province, which are teaming with biodiversity and the perfect climate for this fabulous array of exotic, tropical plants. So this submission is very late in coming, but as an excuse–there has been a lot going on! My husband and I were supposed to be married in 2021, but due to covid we ended up postponing it from June of that year to May of 2022. Despite this, we decided to keep our planned honeymoon to Costa Rica on August of 2021. At that time, cases were low and we desperately needed a break from all of the stress the pandemic has wrought. Costa Rica was so beautiful and it was such a special trip that we ended up eloping while we were there. I have probably 500 photos I could share of the beauty of that country but I decided to send you something kind of cool that we accidentally ran into which is the Monteverde Orchid Garden. Despite working at Fine Gardening for 7 years, I have to admit I didn’t know much about orchids and was astounded to learn some of the specifics that make them special – for instance, many orchids have exclusive relationships with a specific pollinator, that they have developed incredible ways to lure insects into their flowers for pollination such as mimicking the scent of pheromones of the opposite sex or even the smell of rotting flesh all in an effort to attract insects to pollinate them. Other orchids are noted for their highly floral or sweet scent and are often used in perfumery as a result. The cooking ingredient vanilla actually comes from an orchid, the Vanilla planifolia. (You can learn how to grow your own vanilla orchid here). The Monteverde Orchid garden has over 450 varieties or orchids, including the smallest orchids in the world – which we needed a magnifying glass to view. It is a small garden, but packed full of flowers and information. Highly recommend checking it out if you are an orchidist or have orchidelirium, (the history of which is fascinating!) More on orchids: We’re starting off small (I think either a type of Rudolfiella or Polystachya), but not as small as they get! As Christine mentioned, Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to some of the world’s smallest orchids, and the tiniest specimens need a very good lens and the perfect lighting to be able to capture more than a blurry speck of color. To see their tiniest blooms, be sure to check out the Monteverde Orchid Garden Instagram: @monteverdeorchidgarden. And a disclaimer: Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world, with over 25,000 different species that have wildly diverse characteristics. It is no small feat to become well-versed in the world of orchids, and it takes years of dedication to be an expert. I tried my best to identify all of the orchids shown, but I apologize in advance for any plants I incorrectly label. If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into orchids, I encourage you to seek out other great resources available like the American Orchid Society. When most of us think of orchids, the image of big, colorful blooms on top of a thin stem likely comes to mind. The moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) and similar species that make an appearance in grocery stores at least once every year. However, this diverse plant family is full of a wide variety of plant forms. The zigzag of overlapping leaves on the Oersted’s lockhartia (Lockhartia oerstedii) give the plant a fabulous texture. Another form that doesn’t immediately come to mind when we think ‘orchid’, the foliage of Maxillaria valenzuela fans out and creates a spectacular shape when hanging or potted. Of course, hanging from a tree in its natural environment gives you the added bonus of seeing those spectacular roots at work! The Lycaste genus of orchids have very distinct, long sepals that contrast the colors of the petals. If you look toward the base of the plant in the background you’ll see another Lycaste identifier, their other-worldly egg-shaped pseudobulbs. We all know insects that masquerade as plants, but have you ever seen a plant that could be mistaken for a pollinator? The aptly named Kramer’s butterfly orchid (Psychopsis krameriana) appears to have wings, long antenna, and even a spooky little face if you look closely. Of course, orchids aren’t the only flowers you’ll see at Monteverde Orchid Garden. Even the humble hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica, Zones 5–10) looks extra spectacular in this tropical forest environment. Like the Maxillaria valenzuela we saw above, many orchids are made even more enthralling by their ability to hang and grow from trees and other plant structures. This hanging is not only a visual appeal, but often a crucial part of the survival of the plant. Stanhopea wardii uses this hanging as well as their unique shape and coloring to mimic the female euglossine bee. The orchid does this so well that male euglossine bees are actually tricked into pollinating! And although orchids are often staked and supported for blooms to be upright, there are several species with flowers that will spill even when grown in a traditional container. Helmut gongora (Gongora galeata) is one of those species, with its odd string of curling blooms. Another example is densely flowered acineta (Acineta densa), with clusters of glossy yellow blooms. I also love that the orchid’s buds look like the largest green grapes you’ve ever seen. A closer look at Acineta densa reveals the speckled red petals hidden inside. While orchids are obviously the highlight of this garden, there are many other tropical plants to be seen. Thankfully, we have another batch of fantastic photos from Christine to enjoy next week. In the mean time, remember to check out @monteverdeorchidgarden on Instagram. If you have photos of past travels (from last year or the last several years), winter is a great time to reminisce and revel in warmer days. If you decide to go through any old photos this weekend, consider sharing any garden photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad. Have a fantastic weekend!   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach. Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs. Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. Source link

[iamownerofme]

Happy Friday GPODers! Last month we had two guest posts from Fine Gardening‘s digital editor, Christine Alexander, who shared some behind-the-scenes photos from a fall video shoot at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (If you missed those, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2). Today, Christine is taking us to a drastically different public garden, as we revisit her trip to Monteverde Orchid Garden in Costa Rica. This hidden gem is located in the lush (and rare) cloud forests of the Puntarenas province, which are teaming with biodiversity and the perfect climate for this fabulous array of exotic, tropical plants. So this submission is very late in coming, but as an excuse–there has been a lot going on! My husband and I were supposed to be married in 2021, but due to covid we ended up postponing it from June of that year to May of 2022. Despite this, we decided to keep our planned honeymoon to Costa Rica on August of 2021. At that time, cases were low and we desperately needed a break from all of the stress the pandemic has wrought. Costa Rica was so beautiful and it was such a special trip that we ended up eloping while we were there. I have probably 500 photos I could share of the beauty of that country but I decided to send you something kind of cool that we accidentally ran into which is the Monteverde Orchid Garden. Despite working at Fine Gardening for 7 years, I have to admit I didn’t know much about orchids and was astounded to learn some of the specifics that make them special – for instance, many orchids have exclusive relationships with a specific pollinator, that they have developed incredible ways to lure insects into their flowers for pollination such as mimicking the scent of pheromones of the opposite sex or even the smell of rotting flesh all in an effort to attract insects to pollinate them. Other orchids are noted for their highly floral or sweet scent and are often used in perfumery as a result. The cooking ingredient vanilla actually comes from an orchid, the Vanilla planifolia. (You can learn how to grow your own vanilla orchid here). The Monteverde Orchid garden has over 450 varieties or orchids, including the smallest orchids in the world – which we needed a magnifying glass to view. It is a small garden, but packed full of flowers and information. Highly recommend checking it out if you are an orchidist or have orchidelirium, (the history of which is fascinating!) More on orchids: We’re starting off small (I think either a type of Rudolfiella or Polystachya), but not as small as they get! As Christine mentioned, Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to some of the world’s smallest orchids, and the tiniest specimens need a very good lens and the perfect lighting to be able to capture more than a blurry speck of color. To see their tiniest blooms, be sure to check out the Monteverde Orchid Garden Instagram: @monteverdeorchidgarden. And a disclaimer: Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world, with over 25,000 different species that have wildly diverse characteristics. It is no small feat to become well-versed in the world of orchids, and it takes years of dedication to be an expert. I tried my best to identify all of the orchids shown, but I apologize in advance for any plants I incorrectly label. If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into orchids, I encourage you to seek out other great resources available like the American Orchid Society. When most of us think of orchids, the image of big, colorful blooms on top of a thin stem likely comes to mind. The moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) and similar species that make an appearance in grocery stores at least once every year. However, this diverse plant family is full of a wide variety of plant forms. The zigzag of overlapping leaves on the Oersted’s lockhartia (Lockhartia oerstedii) give the plant a fabulous texture. Another form that doesn’t immediately come to mind when we think ‘orchid’, the foliage of Maxillaria valenzuela fans out and creates a spectacular shape when hanging or potted. Of course, hanging from a tree in its natural environment gives you the added bonus of seeing those spectacular roots at work! The Lycaste genus of orchids have very distinct, long sepals that contrast the colors of the petals. If you look toward the base of the plant in the background you’ll see another Lycaste identifier, their other-worldly egg-shaped pseudobulbs. We all know insects that masquerade as plants, but have you ever seen a plant that could be mistaken for a pollinator? The aptly named Kramer’s butterfly orchid (Psychopsis krameriana) appears to have wings, long antenna, and even a spooky little face if you look closely. Of course, orchids aren’t the only flowers you’ll see at Monteverde Orchid Garden. Even the humble hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica, Zones 5–10) looks extra spectacular in this tropical forest environment. Like the Maxillaria valenzuela we saw above, many orchids are made even more enthralling by their ability to hang and grow from trees and other plant structures. This hanging is not only a visual appeal, but often a crucial part of the survival of the plant. Stanhopea wardii uses this hanging as well as their unique shape and coloring to mimic the female euglossine bee. The orchid does this so well that male euglossine bees are actually tricked into pollinating! And although orchids are often staked and supported for blooms to be upright, there are several species with flowers that will spill even when grown in a traditional container. Helmut gongora (Gongora galeata) is one of those species, with its odd string of curling blooms. Another example is densely flowered acineta (Acineta densa), with clusters of glossy yellow blooms. I also love that the orchid’s buds look like the largest green grapes you’ve ever seen. A closer look at Acineta densa reveals the speckled red petals hidden inside. While orchids are obviously the highlight of this garden, there are many other tropical plants to be seen. Thankfully, we have another batch of fantastic photos from Christine to enjoy next week. In the mean time, remember to check out @monteverdeorchidgarden on Instagram. If you have photos of past travels (from last year or the last several years), winter is a great time to reminisce and revel in warmer days. If you decide to go through any old photos this weekend, consider sharing any garden photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad. Have a fantastic weekend!   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach. Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs. Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. Source link

[shelyold]

Happy Friday GPODers! Last month we had two guest posts from Fine Gardening‘s digital editor, Christine Alexander, who shared some behind-the-scenes photos from a fall video shoot at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (If you missed those, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2). Today, Christine is taking us to a drastically different public garden, as we revisit her trip to Monteverde Orchid Garden in Costa Rica. This hidden gem is located in the lush (and rare) cloud forests of the Puntarenas province, which are teaming with biodiversity and the perfect climate for this fabulous array of exotic, tropical plants. So this submission is very late in coming, but as an excuse–there has been a lot going on! My husband and I were supposed to be married in 2021, but due to covid we ended up postponing it from June of that year to May of 2022. Despite this, we decided to keep our planned honeymoon to Costa Rica on August of 2021. At that time, cases were low and we desperately needed a break from all of the stress the pandemic has wrought. Costa Rica was so beautiful and it was such a special trip that we ended up eloping while we were there. I have probably 500 photos I could share of the beauty of that country but I decided to send you something kind of cool that we accidentally ran into which is the Monteverde Orchid Garden. Despite working at Fine Gardening for 7 years, I have to admit I didn’t know much about orchids and was astounded to learn some of the specifics that make them special – for instance, many orchids have exclusive relationships with a specific pollinator, that they have developed incredible ways to lure insects into their flowers for pollination such as mimicking the scent of pheromones of the opposite sex or even the smell of rotting flesh all in an effort to attract insects to pollinate them. Other orchids are noted for their highly floral or sweet scent and are often used in perfumery as a result. The cooking ingredient vanilla actually comes from an orchid, the Vanilla planifolia. (You can learn how to grow your own vanilla orchid here). The Monteverde Orchid garden has over 450 varieties or orchids, including the smallest orchids in the world – which we needed a magnifying glass to view. It is a small garden, but packed full of flowers and information. Highly recommend checking it out if you are an orchidist or have orchidelirium, (the history of which is fascinating!) More on orchids: We’re starting off small (I think either a type of Rudolfiella or Polystachya), but not as small as they get! As Christine mentioned, Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to some of the world’s smallest orchids, and the tiniest specimens need a very good lens and the perfect lighting to be able to capture more than a blurry speck of color. To see their tiniest blooms, be sure to check out the Monteverde Orchid Garden Instagram: @monteverdeorchidgarden. And a disclaimer: Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world, with over 25,000 different species that have wildly diverse characteristics. It is no small feat to become well-versed in the world of orchids, and it takes years of dedication to be an expert. I tried my best to identify all of the orchids shown, but I apologize in advance for any plants I incorrectly label. If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into orchids, I encourage you to seek out other great resources available like the American Orchid Society. When most of us think of orchids, the image of big, colorful blooms on top of a thin stem likely comes to mind. The moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) and similar species that make an appearance in grocery stores at least once every year. However, this diverse plant family is full of a wide variety of plant forms. The zigzag of overlapping leaves on the Oersted’s lockhartia (Lockhartia oerstedii) give the plant a fabulous texture. Another form that doesn’t immediately come to mind when we think ‘orchid’, the foliage of Maxillaria valenzuela fans out and creates a spectacular shape when hanging or potted. Of course, hanging from a tree in its natural environment gives you the added bonus of seeing those spectacular roots at work! The Lycaste genus of orchids have very distinct, long sepals that contrast the colors of the petals. If you look toward the base of the plant in the background you’ll see another Lycaste identifier, their other-worldly egg-shaped pseudobulbs. We all know insects that masquerade as plants, but have you ever seen a plant that could be mistaken for a pollinator? The aptly named Kramer’s butterfly orchid (Psychopsis krameriana) appears to have wings, long antenna, and even a spooky little face if you look closely. Of course, orchids aren’t the only flowers you’ll see at Monteverde Orchid Garden. Even the humble hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica, Zones 5–10) looks extra spectacular in this tropical forest environment. Like the Maxillaria valenzuela we saw above, many orchids are made even more enthralling by their ability to hang and grow from trees and other plant structures. This hanging is not only a visual appeal, but often a crucial part of the survival of the plant. Stanhopea wardii uses this hanging as well as their unique shape and coloring to mimic the female euglossine bee. The orchid does this so well that male euglossine bees are actually tricked into pollinating! And although orchids are often staked and supported for blooms to be upright, there are several species with flowers that will spill even when grown in a traditional container. Helmut gongora (Gongora galeata) is one of those species, with its odd string of curling blooms. Another example is densely flowered acineta (Acineta densa), with clusters of glossy yellow blooms. I also love that the orchid’s buds look like the largest green grapes you’ve ever seen. A closer look at Acineta densa reveals the speckled red petals hidden inside. While orchids are obviously the highlight of this garden, there are many other tropical plants to be seen. Thankfully, we have another batch of fantastic photos from Christine to enjoy next week. In the mean time, remember to check out @monteverdeorchidgarden on Instagram. If you have photos of past travels (from last year or the last several years), winter is a great time to reminisce and revel in warmer days. If you decide to go through any old photos this weekend, consider sharing any garden photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad. Have a fantastic weekend!   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach. Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs. Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. Source link

[iammeandmy]

Happy Friday GPODers! Last month we had two guest posts from Fine Gardening‘s digital editor, Christine Alexander, who shared some behind-the-scenes photos from a fall video shoot at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (If you missed those, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2). Today, Christine is taking us to a drastically different public garden, as we revisit her trip to Monteverde Orchid Garden in Costa Rica. This hidden gem is located in the lush (and rare) cloud forests of the Puntarenas province, which are teaming with biodiversity and the perfect climate for this fabulous array of exotic, tropical plants. So this submission is very late in coming, but as an excuse–there has been a lot going on! My husband and I were supposed to be married in 2021, but due to covid we ended up postponing it from June of that year to May of 2022. Despite this, we decided to keep our planned honeymoon to Costa Rica on August of 2021. At that time, cases were low and we desperately needed a break from all of the stress the pandemic has wrought. Costa Rica was so beautiful and it was such a special trip that we ended up eloping while we were there. I have probably 500 photos I could share of the beauty of that country but I decided to send you something kind of cool that we accidentally ran into which is the Monteverde Orchid Garden. Despite working at Fine Gardening for 7 years, I have to admit I didn’t know much about orchids and was astounded to learn some of the specifics that make them special – for instance, many orchids have exclusive relationships with a specific pollinator, that they have developed incredible ways to lure insects into their flowers for pollination such as mimicking the scent of pheromones of the opposite sex or even the smell of rotting flesh all in an effort to attract insects to pollinate them. Other orchids are noted for their highly floral or sweet scent and are often used in perfumery as a result. The cooking ingredient vanilla actually comes from an orchid, the Vanilla planifolia. (You can learn how to grow your own vanilla orchid here). The Monteverde Orchid garden has over 450 varieties or orchids, including the smallest orchids in the world – which we needed a magnifying glass to view. It is a small garden, but packed full of flowers and information. Highly recommend checking it out if you are an orchidist or have orchidelirium, (the history of which is fascinating!) More on orchids: We’re starting off small (I think either a type of Rudolfiella or Polystachya), but not as small as they get! As Christine mentioned, Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to some of the world’s smallest orchids, and the tiniest specimens need a very good lens and the perfect lighting to be able to capture more than a blurry speck of color. To see their tiniest blooms, be sure to check out the Monteverde Orchid Garden Instagram: @monteverdeorchidgarden. And a disclaimer: Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world, with over 25,000 different species that have wildly diverse characteristics. It is no small feat to become well-versed in the world of orchids, and it takes years of dedication to be an expert. I tried my best to identify all of the orchids shown, but I apologize in advance for any plants I incorrectly label. If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into orchids, I encourage you to seek out other great resources available like the American Orchid Society. When most of us think of orchids, the image of big, colorful blooms on top of a thin stem likely comes to mind. The moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) and similar species that make an appearance in grocery stores at least once every year. However, this diverse plant family is full of a wide variety of plant forms. The zigzag of overlapping leaves on the Oersted’s lockhartia (Lockhartia oerstedii) give the plant a fabulous texture. Another form that doesn’t immediately come to mind when we think ‘orchid’, the foliage of Maxillaria valenzuela fans out and creates a spectacular shape when hanging or potted. Of course, hanging from a tree in its natural environment gives you the added bonus of seeing those spectacular roots at work! The Lycaste genus of orchids have very distinct, long sepals that contrast the colors of the petals. If you look toward the base of the plant in the background you’ll see another Lycaste identifier, their other-worldly egg-shaped pseudobulbs. We all know insects that masquerade as plants, but have you ever seen a plant that could be mistaken for a pollinator? The aptly named Kramer’s butterfly orchid (Psychopsis krameriana) appears to have wings, long antenna, and even a spooky little face if you look closely. Of course, orchids aren’t the only flowers you’ll see at Monteverde Orchid Garden. Even the humble hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica, Zones 5–10) looks extra spectacular in this tropical forest environment. Like the Maxillaria valenzuela we saw above, many orchids are made even more enthralling by their ability to hang and grow from trees and other plant structures. This hanging is not only a visual appeal, but often a crucial part of the survival of the plant. Stanhopea wardii uses this hanging as well as their unique shape and coloring to mimic the female euglossine bee. The orchid does this so well that male euglossine bees are actually tricked into pollinating! And although orchids are often staked and supported for blooms to be upright, there are several species with flowers that will spill even when grown in a traditional container. Helmut gongora (Gongora galeata) is one of those species, with its odd string of curling blooms. Another example is densely flowered acineta (Acineta densa), with clusters of glossy yellow blooms. I also love that the orchid’s buds look like the largest green grapes you’ve ever seen. A closer look at Acineta densa reveals the speckled red petals hidden inside. While orchids are obviously the highlight of this garden, there are many other tropical plants to be seen. Thankfully, we have another batch of fantastic photos from Christine to enjoy next week. In the mean time, remember to check out @monteverdeorchidgarden on Instagram. If you have photos of past travels (from last year or the last several years), winter is a great time to reminisce and revel in warmer days. If you decide to go through any old photos this weekend, consider sharing any garden photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad. Have a fantastic weekend!   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach. Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs. Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. Source link

[januishstory]

Happy Friday GPODers! Last month we had two guest posts from Fine Gardening‘s digital editor, Christine Alexander, who shared some behind-the-scenes photos from a fall video shoot at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (If you missed those, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2). Today, Christine is taking us to a drastically different public garden, as we revisit her trip to Monteverde Orchid Garden in Costa Rica. This hidden gem is located in the lush (and rare) cloud forests of the Puntarenas province, which are teaming with biodiversity and the perfect climate for this fabulous array of exotic, tropical plants. So this submission is very late in coming, but as an excuse–there has been a lot going on! My husband and I were supposed to be married in 2021, but due to covid we ended up postponing it from June of that year to May of 2022. Despite this, we decided to keep our planned honeymoon to Costa Rica on August of 2021. At that time, cases were low and we desperately needed a break from all of the stress the pandemic has wrought. Costa Rica was so beautiful and it was such a special trip that we ended up eloping while we were there. I have probably 500 photos I could share of the beauty of that country but I decided to send you something kind of cool that we accidentally ran into which is the Monteverde Orchid Garden. Despite working at Fine Gardening for 7 years, I have to admit I didn’t know much about orchids and was astounded to learn some of the specifics that make them special – for instance, many orchids have exclusive relationships with a specific pollinator, that they have developed incredible ways to lure insects into their flowers for pollination such as mimicking the scent of pheromones of the opposite sex or even the smell of rotting flesh all in an effort to attract insects to pollinate them. Other orchids are noted for their highly floral or sweet scent and are often used in perfumery as a result. The cooking ingredient vanilla actually comes from an orchid, the Vanilla planifolia. (You can learn how to grow your own vanilla orchid here). The Monteverde Orchid garden has over 450 varieties or orchids, including the smallest orchids in the world – which we needed a magnifying glass to view. It is a small garden, but packed full of flowers and information. Highly recommend checking it out if you are an orchidist or have orchidelirium, (the history of which is fascinating!) More on orchids: We’re starting off small (I think either a type of Rudolfiella or Polystachya), but not as small as they get! As Christine mentioned, Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to some of the world’s smallest orchids, and the tiniest specimens need a very good lens and the perfect lighting to be able to capture more than a blurry speck of color. To see their tiniest blooms, be sure to check out the Monteverde Orchid Garden Instagram: @monteverdeorchidgarden. And a disclaimer: Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world, with over 25,000 different species that have wildly diverse characteristics. It is no small feat to become well-versed in the world of orchids, and it takes years of dedication to be an expert. I tried my best to identify all of the orchids shown, but I apologize in advance for any plants I incorrectly label. If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into orchids, I encourage you to seek out other great resources available like the American Orchid Society. When most of us think of orchids, the image of big, colorful blooms on top of a thin stem likely comes to mind. The moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) and similar species that make an appearance in grocery stores at least once every year. However, this diverse plant family is full of a wide variety of plant forms. The zigzag of overlapping leaves on the Oersted’s lockhartia (Lockhartia oerstedii) give the plant a fabulous texture. Another form that doesn’t immediately come to mind when we think ‘orchid’, the foliage of Maxillaria valenzuela fans out and creates a spectacular shape when hanging or potted. Of course, hanging from a tree in its natural environment gives you the added bonus of seeing those spectacular roots at work! The Lycaste genus of orchids have very distinct, long sepals that contrast the colors of the petals. If you look toward the base of the plant in the background you’ll see another Lycaste identifier, their other-worldly egg-shaped pseudobulbs. We all know insects that masquerade as plants, but have you ever seen a plant that could be mistaken for a pollinator? The aptly named Kramer’s butterfly orchid (Psychopsis krameriana) appears to have wings, long antenna, and even a spooky little face if you look closely. Of course, orchids aren’t the only flowers you’ll see at Monteverde Orchid Garden. Even the humble hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica, Zones 5–10) looks extra spectacular in this tropical forest environment. Like the Maxillaria valenzuela we saw above, many orchids are made even more enthralling by their ability to hang and grow from trees and other plant structures. This hanging is not only a visual appeal, but often a crucial part of the survival of the plant. Stanhopea wardii uses this hanging as well as their unique shape and coloring to mimic the female euglossine bee. The orchid does this so well that male euglossine bees are actually tricked into pollinating! And although orchids are often staked and supported for blooms to be upright, there are several species with flowers that will spill even when grown in a traditional container. Helmut gongora (Gongora galeata) is one of those species, with its odd string of curling blooms. Another example is densely flowered acineta (Acineta densa), with clusters of glossy yellow blooms. I also love that the orchid’s buds look like the largest green grapes you’ve ever seen. A closer look at Acineta densa reveals the speckled red petals hidden inside. While orchids are obviously the highlight of this garden, there are many other tropical plants to be seen. Thankfully, we have another batch of fantastic photos from Christine to enjoy next week. In the mean time, remember to check out @monteverdeorchidgarden on Instagram. If you have photos of past travels (from last year or the last several years), winter is a great time to reminisce and revel in warmer days. If you decide to go through any old photos this weekend, consider sharing any garden photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad. Have a fantastic weekend!   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach. Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs. Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. Source link

[influencermagazineuk]

Ryan Reynolds turned up unannounced at a Wrexham pub on Friday night with none other than Channing Tatum in tow, as the Hollywood pair arrive just in time for Wrexham's League One showdown against Cambridge United tonight. The Canadian-American actor, co-owner of Wrexham AFC with Rob McElhenney, has played a pivotal role in the club's remarkable journey from the National League to League One since they took over in 2021. Attention around the globe has come to the Racecourse Ground, as Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd are among celebrities who have attended matches recently. Now, Tatum, with hits like 21 Jump Street and Magic Mike, is the latest A-lister to join the ranks of famous visitors. On Friday evening, the Fat Boar pub in Wrexham posted a photo on social media showing Reynolds mingling with fans, joined by Tatum. The sight of the Hollywood duo left the crowd delighted. Tatum, sporting Wrexham gear, later shared his excitement on Instagram. "And just like that, I’m in Wales, about to see a Wrexham match! Let’s goooo," he exclaimed in his Instagram story. Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Reynolds didn't just stop by for a casual drink; he also treated everyone in the pub to a round. "I'm buying a round for everybody in here," he announced, as captured in a video shared by Wrexham.com. With humor, he added, "This might bring another hundred people in here as we speak, but that's fine." After spreading good vibes, Reynolds joked about his evening plans. "And then I'm going to, right now, get the f*** out and go to bed. I have four kids, and this is a day off where I get to just go to bed when I want to, which I'm very excited about," he said with his signature wit. The next day Tatum was spotted again cheering Wrexham's performance at the Racecourse Ground side by side with Reynolds as the local team played against Cambridge. The increasing number of worldwide stars attending Wrexham games is a living test to the meteoric success and cultural influence during this period under the leadership of Reynolds and McElhenney. For Wrexham fans, Friday night wasn't just about meeting Hollywood icons—it was a celebration of their club's transformation and the sense of community that has been reignited by its new owners. As Reynolds put it best, "Up the town, right?" Read the full article