Happy ending: Overberg Municipality and Satyrium carneum

Today I am rather pleased to report on the progress with the concerns which I raised with the Overberg Municipality on 25 October 2012 regarding the mowing of the fire-break near De Kelders in Gansbaai where a significantly large population of Satyrium carneum grows. In previous posts I introduced the letter which I sent to the municipality and there was some significant interest received from several readers. I would like to thank you for your ongoing support.

 

After the letter was handed to the Mayoress' office it was sent to the Municipal Manager and then onto the Director of Community Services and then onto the Operational Manager (Civil Engineering Services) of the Overstrand Municipality who has requested my involvement with their Parks Superintendent to assist them with a plan to strategise their mowing to support the flowering and seed setting of these plants. I think this is a great way forward and is certainly a positive outcome. Hopefully this attitude will spread to other municipalities to ensure the responsible management of various other protected species under threat from human activities.

 

I will keep you posted on the success as we work together on this initiative.

In the greenhouse today

Although I don't have very much in flower at the moment in the greenhouse there does seem to be a sudden development of new roots and shoots recently. I also purchased a few new plants from Plantae and Van Rooyen's Orchids, including Schoenorchis fragrans which I have wanted for my collection for some time now, and Jumellea anjouanensis, a species from the Comoros Islands.

 

Schoenorchis fragrans

My Cynorkis fastigiata seedlings which I raised from seed have developed their mature foliage now and have grown significantly since the beginning of the year. I am hoping that they produce their first flowers this year. At the rate which they are growing it wouldn't surprise me.

 

Cynorkis fastigiata

Amongst the thick foliage of my Maxillaria tenuifolia there are several flowers opening at the moment. In the morning the scent of the flowers is strongest. Some say the flowers smell of coconuts. In a rather abstract way I would say yes but they have a rather unique subtle smell about them which is rather hard to describe. In addition, Stenoglottis woodii is flowering nicely at the moment.

 

Maxillaria tenuifolia

Stenoglottis woodii

Stenoglottis woodii