This time of year, because I live in a cold state, I focus on my indoor blooms, most specifically my orchid collection. They bring me a tremendous amount of joy during the year, I love caring for them and watching them grow. The ultimate reward of course, is when you can get a spike and at that point you know that blooms are just a few weeks away.
This beautiful blooming Phalaenopsis orchid has just been added to my collection a few weeks ago and has 7 gorgeous purple blooms. When it goes out of bloom I will cut the spike appropriately and see if I can get it to rebloom. If it is a bit tired at that time and decides not to rebloom, I will repot it into one of my favorite orchid pots at that time.
These big and beautiful blooms add so much cheer to my sunroom studio, I appreciate and admire them every single day. Don't be surprised if you see orchid blooms in an upcoming faux window painting.
To my absolute delight, one of my favorite orchids that I've had for a few years now, just started to spike a few weeks ago. Rosey Tyke above has the most beautiful miniature blooms and in the photo above, if you look to the right of the plant, you can see the spike coming out of the lower half of the orchid. I was also happily suprised because Rosey Tyke just bloomed for me in the spring so it made me very happy to see it spiking again now.
The little one above is also almost ready to bloom, it has two tiny red buds that I'm waiting for to open. It is a new addition to my orchid collection and is called Sogo Grape.
I was also very happy to see the orchid on the left spiking a few weeks ago as well. It is the largest orchid in my collection and hasn't bloomed for 2 years now so when I saw it spiking, I was delighted. It has very large and gorgeous white blooms with yellow centers. In a few more weeks the flowers should be ready to bloom. You can see from the photo that the spike has gotten so long that I have put the support on to give it strengh and protection. Generally when a spike is about 12" long, that is when the support should be attached. I'll be sure to take lots of photos of the blooms on all the orchids when they open.
This time of year, because I live in a cold state, I focus on my indoor blooms, most specifically my orchid collection. They bring me a tremendous amount of joy during the year, I love caring for them and watching them grow. The ultimate reward of course, is when you can get a spike and at that point you know that blooms are just a few weeks away.
This beautiful blooming Phalaenopsis orchid has just been added to my collection a few weeks ago and has 7 gorgeous purple blooms. When it goes out of bloom I will cut the spike appropriately and see if I can get it to rebloom. If it is a bit tired at that time and decides not to rebloom, I will repot it into one of my favorite orchid pots at that time.
These big and beautiful blooms add so much cheer to my sunroom studio, I appreciate and admire them every single day. Don't be surprised if you see orchid blooms in an upcoming faux window painting.
To my absolute delight, one of my favorite orchids that I've had for a few years now, just started to spike a few weeks ago. Rosey Tyke above has the most beautiful miniature blooms and in the photo above, if you look to the right of the plant, you can see the spike coming out of the lower half of the orchid. I was also happily suprised because Rosey Tyke just bloomed for me in the spring so it made me very happy to see it spiking again now.
The little one above is also almost ready to bloom, it has two tiny red buds that I'm waiting for to open. It is a new addition to my orchid collection and is called Sogo Grape.
I was also very happy to see the orchid on the left spiking a few weeks ago as well. It is the largest orchid in my collection and hasn't bloomed for 2 years now so when I saw it spiking, I was delighted. It has very large and gorgeous white blooms with yellow centers. In a few more weeks the flowers should be ready to bloom. You can see from the photo that the spike has gotten so long that I have put the support on to give it strengh and protection. Generally when a spike is about 12" long, that is when the support should be attached. I'll be sure to take lots of photos of the blooms on all the orchids when they open.
16 comments:
I love your orchids Ruth ... they are gorgeous... most of mine died.... when I moved.... I am guessing the lighting is the biggest reason... this house is quite dark...
HUGS
JO
This is beautiful! You must be a very patient person with a green thumb! My house plants never stay around for long. :(
they are lovely! I have never grown orchids but do bring my summer plants in..mainly the ivy and geraniums..and some potted plants.I have two grow lamps in my basement..so nice when doing laundry to look over and see green plants ..some flowering! esp when so cold and wintry outside!
Ruth, your orchids are beautiful. Oh to have a green thumb! I gave up on indoor plants years ago. I blamed it on the lighting, the heating, the air conditioning, you name it.....when actually I just kill indoor plants. Do you talk to yours??? Maybe that's where I went wrong. :)
I love orchids! But, I have not had much luck growing them. : (
Maybe I'll learn how from you! Can't wait to see more pictures!
Hi Ruth, well you certainly have a green thumb and your orchids are magnificent. I imagine that gorgeous purple inspires you each day in your studio.
Thank you for sharing this beauty.
Hope you have a great week.
hugs, Celestina
la rea rose
Beautiful orchid, Ruth! I wish I could grow them. Can't wait to see the one that's budding.
Hugs,
Donna
Ruth, beautiful orchid! Judging from the rest of the comments above, I think you need to give us a tutorial in the future. So, am I reading correctly that once it blooms that's it? It's not supposed to bloom again, or else not for a long time? How interesting.
hi ruth!
your orchids are amazing! that is a true art being the wonderful gardener that you are.
so many talents!
xo
melissa
Wow...that orchid is amazing...and what gorgeous color. You have a big green thumb, don't you?!
I actually have an orchid almost as beautiful...but it's a fake one. HA! Notice my purple thumb.;)
Ruth your blog gets more beautiful every time I visit. The orchid lifts my spirits. Thank you for your visit and kind words. Yes, I'm looking forward to those brighter days. I know they will come, although sometimes it doesn't seem they ever will. xoxo
I have never tried my hand at growing Orchids. They are soooo Beautiful. What indoor temperature do they prefer? Is there anything special to their care? You might have me hooked on another project :-)
Hugs!
Michelle
Hi Ruth,
Your indoor garden is beautiful. I am so glad that you get to have flowers all year long for inspiration to paint. The pink orchids are sooooo beautiful and calling to you to transfer onto your canvas.
Thank you for sharing and giving us so much information about orchids. Can't wait to see more photos of the "babies" when they open.
Have a wonderful holiday.
Erin
I also am a fan of growing orchids! I have had some good and bad luck over the years and I know th JOY when one
puts out shoots and blooms! I'm watching one of mine hopefully soon..a gorgeous white!
Happy holidays!
Hi Foobella, to answer your question the species of Orchid that I have, Phalaenopsis are very popular to grow indoors and are capable of blooming once, if not twice a year sometimes. But after having them for years I can tell you it is not always the case...also not all Orchids are created equal either. Depending on how they are bred, crossed etc..and the care you give them, you will end up having better luck with some then others.
I have a rule that I read in a book that I do adhere to...if an orchid doesn't perform well for you, no reblooms, not much growth, in a couple of years after purchase..I trash it. That way I can dedicate the limited space I have indoors to orchids that do rebloom and do well for me.
There is one green house in particular, in PA that I go to, that has wonderful orchids and I have done well with most everything I have purchased there. I will be going back this winter to buy some more plants from them and hopefully, they will let me take photos of all their greenhouses and post them on my blog because it is really a sight to be seen. : )
But anyway, when you can get an orchid to rebloom for you, it is a happy thing...very happy and gives you a sense of accomplishment to say the least. :)
Ruth
Hi Michelle,
To answer your question, I bet you would love growing orchids..you have such a lovely green thumb!!!
There are many species of orchids...I have Phalaenopsis right now and they are great orchids to start with, easy to grow and are not super fussy with the conditions they like.
They are tropical plants so they like it warm....spikes of cold at night sometimes help the Phal's produce spikes.
I have two books that I can recommend to you on the subject:
Ortho's All About Orchids
&
Orchid's For Dummies
These are both great books to get if you are looking into growing Orchids and want to know the particulars of each species.
Ruth
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