For Lorrie

A few hints about keeping orchids happy.  



These orchids have been resting in an east facing window.  They were dormant for about 6 months.  All they needed was light and a little water now and then.

Or place in south and west exposure.  After 4 to five months orchid blossoms will drop.   Look out for thickening nobs along the stem.  Cut 2 to 3 inches above that.  It will throw a secondary spike and bloom for another 4 to 5 months.  

  

When I leave for a couple of weeks I place several orchids in a large, waterproof container, stuff with newspaper and pour water over everything.  
Orchids tolerate standing in 1 to 2 inches of water for a short period of time. 

Only 2 days ago I discovered this new spike on one of my Cymbidium orchids. 
I had no idea that it was forming.  I have ignored it for many, many months, watering it only when I walked past. 

I hope it is this pink color.  

I had this cymbidium for many years and then it had an unfortunate end.  A mouse came along and.....

https://ginaceramics.blogspot.com/2010/12/of-mice-and-men-and-my-cymbidium.html

A little moss on top is a very good idea.  

Once an orchid begins to bloom you can enjoy it in the rest of the house, even in a dark place.
You can even cut a stem and place it in water. 

Good Luck,
Gina 

Don't let that stop you.

You don't have a green thumb?

Then you are the perfect candidate to dazzle your friends with growing this very beautiful Orchid, namely the Phalaenopsis Orchid.






The problem with  not being able to grow orchids does not originate with you. Long before you take your orchid home, the dye is cast. 

From the grower to the seller a lot of unkind things can happen to an orchid. 

Now, a few growers are changing the way orchids are packaged and shipped. They are packed in bark AND moss. It is the moss that helps retain moisture. That is the secret. 

Give them a bath now and then and let them drain in the kitchen sink as you see above.

Keep them away from heat and cold. 

Try to purchase your orchid when they first arrive in a place such as Costco. If you see buds that are discolored, do not buy the orchid. It is already doomed.

Phaleonopsis come in many colors.

White Orchids are still my favorites. 

Next time I will share a few secrets on  how to make orchids re bloom. 

Have a great week dear friends, 

Gina

Never give up.

How many times will a garden freeze before the Gardener gives up.

My "Sensation" lilac froze this year but surprised me and rewarded me with a few second blooms.

Orchids will always reward you.  Good light and a little water is all they need. 

The snow is still deep on Horseshoe Mountain Ridge...
it will be a good watering year.   

My daisies are back after almost being wiped out last year by an overly zealous helper who tried to get rid of dandelions.

A new color of Foxglove? 

Our little town celebrated Heritage Days this past weekend.  

Many people came and bought.  My hand painted and simple bowls are still a favorite.

How is your garden growing?

Gina

A new crop

Still trying to convince you how easy it is to keep orchids.

These orchids have been dormant for about 6 months. 
Place the dormant plant by an east facing window and protect from direct heat.
I noticed new spikes a few weeks ago.

Last year, about this time, an older group was just beginning to throw new spikes.

Here they are, a year later, still going strong.  

When we go on an extended vacation I place crumbled up newspaper inside the container and add about 2 to 3 inches of water.  
The paper soaks up the moisture and keeps the orchids happy. 

If you see a blight on your leaves just cut it off and reshape the leaf with scissors.  
You can remove an entire leaf and it will not hurt the orchid. 

Orchids are tough.

Wish I was. 

Gina 

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.ca/

Discovering while learning.

A few years ago I was invited

from the book entitled Art in Bloom by Victoria Jane Ream

to participate in an event, sponsored by the 
Utah Museum of Fine Arts, entitled 
"Art in Bloom" 

Floral Designers were selected and asked to interpret a painting into a floral arrangement. 

I selected the above painting by Jose Aparicio Y Inglada 
(1793-1838)
entitled "Portrait of Jean Louis Reynier"

The challenge for me was to attach a rose to my sword which would match the color of the ribbon on the soldier's chest.  
The rose had to last for 2 weeks, and out of water. 

The solution was to attach a dried-in-sand rose.

It sounds easy.  But roses change color once dessicated. 

  

My comment why I chose this particular painting.  

 I own a sword similar to the one in the painting and I wanted it to be part of the story. 

Keeping cut Phalaenopsis fresh presented another problem.

In the above photograph you can see that the flowers are beginning to fade.

I actually cut these yellow Phalaenopsis from a plant when I noticed that several stems were beginning to wilt.  

If you cut the stem and place it in water,

 in a few hours they will have revived and will last in water for many more days. 

If you want them to last even longer as cut flowers, do what professionals do.  

"Condition" by placing them into cold storage for 24 hours.  

That means 54 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

(Your household refrigerator 40 to 45 degrees F)

Cut your stems every day and replace water. 


Have a great week ahead, dear Friends. 

Gina 

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

The best of two worlds

Inside/Outside

New snow.

Ready to go to work.

Wishing you a great week ahead.

Gina 

Just another morning

at my house.

Now that the ice has left we can let the spring fill our pond again.

Snow on Saturday covered the only flowers I have blooming in my garden.  

They have frozen before, yet Hellebore always come out looking great.  

This time of year my flowers have to come from the store. 

You can just see the table to the left.  That is where I sit and paint. 

Montgolfiere tiles for a new side table...just out of the kiln. 

A couple of weeks ago my old orchids were throwing new spikes.  

They have now opened fully and even surprised me with a new color. 

All reservations have been made. 

 Soon I will spend the day with Maestro Mario of Montelupo, Italy.  

We will paint. 

When not painting or sight seeing I will learn how to make proper home made pasta at the 
Relais Sant'Elena, Bibbona, Tuscany, Italy.  

Wishing you a great week ahead.  

Gina