Sago Palm, Orchids and Unknown Plants

This year, my Sago Palm is growing new fronds earlier than last year, thanks for the warmer weather.  I was a little concerned about the yellow spots on the old leaves.  I did some research over the Internet, and I think it might be caused by magnesium deficiency.  This weekend I applied some Rite Green Magnesium Sulphate Soil Enhancer to it, and then watered it thoroughly.  Hope it can correct the issue.

The ground cover under the sago palm is Acalypha reptans, also known as Dwarf Chenille or fire tail.  They look together beautifully, especially when the Sago leaves are all nice and green.

I love orchids, and found myself bringing more and more home.  My family also gifts me with orchids for my Birthday, Mother's Day, and other holidays.  I started with 4 orchids about two years ago, now I have 22 of them.

The first two are the new purchase.  Could not resist the colors and the pattern. I love orchids with speckle pattern.

This one was a Christmas gift of 2010.  It had two flower spikes when I bought it.  After it finished flowering in February, I thought I have to wait for a long time for its reblooming.  It surprised me with another flower spike a couple of weeks ago.  Love an orchid can bloom more than once a year.

Vanda Sawita 'blue'

Another orchid with speckle...

I placed three flowering orchids together in a plant stander at the front door patio.  Every time I enter the front door, I stop and enjoy their beauties.

Now I need some help with two unknown plants in the garden.

Since I discovered some local nurseries, I check them out quite often for any new plants.  A couple of months ago, I spotted one small container with a lily like plant hidden in a corner.  I asked the owner what it was, and she said it was something similar to rain lily.  There were no flowers, only leaves.  I love anything lily related, and I trust that nursery since they only carry the plants that can thrive in my area.  Also I like any bulb that grows well in this weather.  So I brought it home.

It did not grow any bigger except setting some new leaves.  The leaves are about 6 to 7 inch long, with  one inch width.  Recently it started flowering.  The color is beautiful lavender.  The shape of the flower also resemble some crinium lily, but smaller.  It doesn't look like rain lily though.

Anybody recognizes this plant?

Here is another plant that I need help with the ID.  I found it when I was weeding the flower bed this morning.  It is under my Tropical lilac tree, so it is in a  deep shade.

Two flower spikes are above the ground.  No leaves were found on the plant.  The flower is very small, maybe at most one inch across.

Next to the flower spike, I found a bulb like new growth.  Not sure if they belong together to the same plant though.

The flower reminds me of orchid, but I never saw it anywhere before.  This flower bed was opened last summer, so I know it is not something from the previous owner.  It also doesn't look like another wild orchid (Oeceoclades maculata) I found in my yard before.

I love mystery, now who wants to be the detective?

Garden Creatures, Sago Palm and Acalypha Reptans

I always envy those who can take perfect pictures of the creatures in their gardens.  In their pictures, those butterflies, dragonflies, birds and lizards seem just know how to make a perfect pose for a perfect picture moment!  And if it is not enough, they all can list those creatures with those fancy names!  Yes, you know who you are!!!  For me, I often either don't have time to get my camera once spotting them, or just get a blurry picture out of it.

With this said, now you can understand why I got excited that I finally got several pictures the past weekend that I think at least show-able (is this even a word?).   Of course I won't be able to tell you what is the name for each creature.  All I know is that the first two are dragonflies (but what kind??), and the third one is some sort of beetle.   I am sure lots of you out there will be able to give me their names just like that!

Oh, you may have noticed that I actually added caption for this below one.  Yes, have seen it so many times in several Florida bloggers' posts posted by FloridaGirl, Deborah and RainforestGardener , I am finally able to recognize it :)

Green Anole

These pictures are far from perfect, but at least this is a start, right?

Now, here is another thing that amazed me recently in the garden.

Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) just finished putting up the new set of fronds!  Sago palm is very slow growing plant, and it only sprouts the new fronds once every half year.  However, once it starts setting the sprouts,  I am amazed how fast they grow!  You can see in short  2 weeks, what a progress those new fronds have made!

Start sprouting

The fourth day

The seventh day

The ninth day

The 13th day.  Almost full open with still soft curly leaves

I love the texture of the new fronds when unfurling.  Here is a close up of them being on the ninth day.  Aren't they gorgeous?

In case you are wondering what is the flower that kept peeking through the sago palm's fronds.  It is the Acalypha reptans, Dwarf Chenille, or fire tail.  They grow under the sago palm, and seem loving the shelter that the sago palm has provided to them. 

Acalypha reptans, Dwarf Chenille, or Fire Tail

That is all for today.  Wish you all have a good week ahead!