In 'Puppy Love' With Phalaenopsis ..
But First The Dark News ..
Before we dive into Huxley's new found love of the Phal's in our Orchid collection..
It has been 24 days since my last orchid update, and a few changes have taken place in my orchid family. Let’s start with some sad news.. Everything good must come to an end (or so they say). Our Cattleya orchid dropped her beautiful red blooms a week or two ago. I found them on the floor, and while maybe I didn’t actually shed a tear, I did have a moment of appreciation before accepting the inevitable. I could see they were looking pretty wilted and knew their time was near. The blooms don’t last quite as long as some of the other types, but they stick around just long enough to enjoy.
Just after they took their final fall, I captured a couple of artistic photos, then let them drift from my hands into the trash bin. Circle of life, right?
The Bright News ..
On a brighter note, the Phalaenopsis orchids are still going strong. These guys are the marathon runners of the orchid world, with some of my Phals holding their blooms for up to four months! The first of this cycle’s blooms opened on February 8th .. Almost three months ago now .. And they’re still looking fresh. Simply amazing, in my opinion. I’ll include a couple of photos showcasing their understated elegance.
Huxley and His Orchid Love ..
And of course, I couldn’t leave out Mr. Huxley! He joined in on the fun during my latest orchid photoshoot. He even gave one of the flowers a little kiss (or maybe just a taste test). So stinkin’ cute. He’s becoming quite the little model and he may be in "Puppy Love" .. lol
The Other Orchids ..
Meanwhile, the Dendrobium and Beallara Orchids are pushing out some new shoots, which is promising. I’ve mentioned this before, but I really need to get an outdoor orchid shade structure or bench built so I can move them outside. They’d love it, and maybe they’d even reward me with some blooms next season. At least that’s what the orchid expert at our local orchid farm told me a few years back. I just haven’t quite figured out the right design, timing, or even location in the backyard yet. But this is the year, right? (Famous last words.)
The coconut orchid is also thriving .. Still blooming with around 30 flowers! I keep her well-watered and situated in a warm spot by the back door, and she seems happier than ever. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her looking this good. I must be doing something right! Trial and error is the name of the game, and when it comes to orchids (or anything, really), I’m always learning.
That’s the latest from the orchid corner of my world.
Hope you all are enjoying some fresh blooms of your own! Until next time, happy growing!
Thank you for swinging by my blog and checking out the post. Have a great day!
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