Scientist jailed for smuggling orchids

An article from today's The Independent (Online Edition) describes how a senior scientist at a British pharmaceutical company will receive 4 months in jail for attempting to smuggle 100 Malaysian orchids into the UK. Many of the plants were apparently rare and endangered specimens, including Paphiopedilum rothschildianum. Still, especially after reading Orchid Fever, you really have to wonder about the scientist's side of the story.

Zygoneria inflorescence?

There is lots of growth going on with my Zygoneria (Zygoneria Adelaide Meadow X Zygopetalum Conway's Choice), which definitely seems to be happy in the bathroom. Apparently it is a bit surprising that it gets enough light in there, under a few flourescents and with a diffuse east-facing window that is partially obstructed by the sliding shower door. But the Zygoneria rebloomed last year at the end of April so it is obviously happy and I am guessing that this is the flower spike that should produce bloom at about the same time this year? Here is a picture of the flowers last time it bloomed, which also happened to be one of the first posts on this blog!