Orchids are one of the plants that have captured my interest this year. I've always thought of them as delicate and difficult. I certainly never thought of them as a native plant. I've always categorized orchids as show flowers...for the professionals only, not lowly ameteurs such as myself. My first orchid was given to me several years ago as a birthday gift. I was impressed with the ease of maintenance and the bloom length (2 months!). Another friend gave me a book about orchids...one of those ORTHO books from HD or Lowes. I learned quite a bit from this book, apparently, because my "parent" produced 5 babies within the following year. I started noticing other orchids and asking questions.
I saw this one called "Trick or Treat" at a plant sale last year. I love the color!
I went to my first orchid show about 2 years ago. It was very impressive! I couldn't believe the variety although I didn't know any of the names! The exhibits were outstandingly pristine and untouchable...the kind of blooms that only professionals could hope to expect.
This is my favorite...
gorgeous bunches of blooms cascading like a waterfall!
Since that first show, I have attended numerous expositionss and met many gardeners who specialize in orchids. I found out something
CRAZY...they're
normal people and orchids are
normal plants !!!
This is a member of the local orchid society demonstrating
the hardiness of a Phalaenopsis and the basics of repotting orchids.
The more I learned from these very down-to-earth gardeners, the more I learned about the exotic, other-worldly orchid. These "specialists" have given me a gift...a comfort level with orchids. I've made the leap from reading about orchids and viewing them as someone else's prize to having a few of my own. Here's the lineup...
My first Dendrobium...
Several varieties of Phalaenopsis...
A bare root Vanda youngster...
V. Gordon Dillon bluespot (the big purple blooms with white spots)...
Ground Orchids
Spathoglotis Plicata and
and my newest variety...
Chtra. Sharifa Alsagoff. WHAT?!
Chtra. is the accepted abbreviation for the genus Christieara,
a cross of three genera: Aeridies x Ascocentrum x Vanda.
I hit the orchid sale at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Garden...
There were many vendors but my favorite and most affordable was
Alexis' exhibit was more earthy and creative...
much more "me" than the elegant and perfect cattleya and slipper orchid vendors.
Although the blooms were beautiful!
And multi-colored!
So many varieties of Cattleya!
However, back at Alexis' booth,
orchids and bromelaids were tucked "naturally" into
coconut shells and bamboo shoots.
Another really cool vendor was Nature's Relics...
showcasing natural cedar wood pieces. Love it!
I was excited to take in the brand new orchid room at the garden.
Many of the orchids were "planted" only
2-3 months ago since the gardens are new.
This is a great example for attaching an orchid to a tree trunck.
Notice the plant will grow sideways so water will not pool in the crown, causing rot.
Numerous Phalaenopsis attached to one tree.
This Dendrobium is already in bloom!
As is this attractive spider variety!
Another in bloom is the lovely ground orchid, Spathoglotis Plicata.
Here I am with my purchases...
Check out the roots on my lovely Christieara orchid!!! Like a bride carrying her veil!
(Yes, I have a fantastic bird's nest fern, too,
along with a few interesting tillandsia hiding in the bag)
Here's my new Bird's Nest Fern at home on my viranda!
As a new orchid enthusiast, I have gleened courage and confidence from a few bloggers...
I also enjoy a few "orchid 101" reference books...
This was my first Orchid book...I still reference it!
Another necessity!
It really is!
You don't have to be a dummy to find this book helpful!
Finally, something a little random and just for fun!!!
ορχιδέα (Greek)
orkidea (Finnish, Italian)
رنگ ارغوانی روشن (Persian)
%5B1%5D.JPG)
