David has invited me to be a contributor on this very informative and well worth while blog. So an introduction to the followers and guests is in order.
My name is Bradley, I have been mentioned on previous posts on the blog. I reside in Worcester Western Cape where it hardly ever rains. I just recently moved here from living near the coast most of my adult life. It was a big adjustment for me and my family but the orchids took a bit of a knock.
My orchid obsession started about seven years ago. I had been collecting and growing succulents, medicinal and psychotropic plants, when I had got hold of an Oncidium cebolleta. That's what I thought it was!As I did research just to find out exactly how to grow the plant, a whole new world of plants was opening up on the screen in front of me.I was amazed!!
At that moment I just wanted to know as much about orchids as possible. I soon learnt that there are orchids growing just about every where.
At this time I was living in Betty's Bay and I did not know there would be so many orchids for me to discover. One December I went on an orchid hunting hike in the nearby mountains which was routine now. I was not prepared for what I was about to discover!
I was following a stream up a kloof when I eventually made it to a waterfall, I was catching my breath while looking around to see if I could spot an orchid, as I looked up I saw many red flowers hanging from mossy banks on the face of the waterfall. I had to get up there and see what they where. When I reached a small colony near the bottom I was muddy and soaking wet but that all faded when I realised that these red gems right in front of me where the famous Disa uniflora. I wanted it badly!!
After that I have been orchid crazy!! Those Disas triggered something in my brain. Only recently I decided to specialize in African and Madagascan species mainly Angraecoid orchids with a few exceptions. There will always be exceptions.
And here I am! I hope I can make contributions that are help full and informative to orchid growers every where and look forward to collaborating with David to making an already great blog greater.
Welcome aboard Bradley! I hope to get the opportunity to join you on an orchid walk some time.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your wisdom!
Cheery O
David