Sunday, January 29, 2012

Orchid Blogging for January

I can't take much credit for this Phalaenopsis - it was in bud when I bought it. This keeps blooming and blooming and blooming. The last Harlequin that i had bloomed for a year, but then when I was nurturing it back to the next bloom, I think I overwatered it, and it died. That doesn't happen much to my orchids, but it proves I am not the "orchid whisperer" yet.

This Cymbidium hybrid is the only one from last year that is blooming this year. I don't know why - if it is that it is more suited for my circumstances, or just a random difference. They are nice and fragrant, and I like these flowers more than the ones it had last year.

Oncidium "twinkle".  This must be the easiest Oncidium hybrid to rebloom.  This is the second rebloom this year.  I have been growing this with dilute Miracle Grow Tomato food - 1/4 teaspoon per gallon.  Not organic for the orchids, their situation is too artificial as it is, and miracle grow is mineral based, not a petrochemical.

I've had this Oncidium hybrid for 2 years. It was a tiny plant, beige / brown flower. I bought it as a "disposable" but then kept it anyway. Glad I did - now it's starting a spike. I'm starting to think I can grow Oncidiums - although I still can't get the yellow ones to bloom. I have another one in spike too, but one pic of a small early spike is enough.
Miltoniopsis hybrid.  Or possibly, Miltonia.  This is another plant I thought I would just keep while in bloom, left it on the deck for a month or two without any care at all, then another Miltoniopsis bloomed so I reconsidered and repotted it.  That was last summer.  And now...  the beginning of a flower spike.  Actually, 2 flower spikes.  Amazing!

5 comments:

  1. Daniel... enjoyed scrolling down your blog. The orchids are beautiful. I have never given one a home, but almost did yesterday. The display at a local store was so inviting! Then I decided I had no idea what to look for, what was healthy... so there we are, I came away empty handed! Maybe next time... keep growing. Enjoyed the visit! Susan

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  2. I love that orchid picture, its stunning. My husband actually brought two orchand plants home for me a few weeks ago. Much to my pleasant surprise, they are surviving and thriving and adding a pure white beauty to our living room

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  3. I love, love, love orchids!! And yours are beautiful!

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  4. Beautiful pics Daniel. Thanks.

    Amalee

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  5. Anonymous3:29 PM

    Oh wonderful .. you identified it. The other orchid I bought some of.

    Your top beautiful one is "phalaenopsis" which would have liked that 20-10-20 Green, urea free formula had I gotten it.

    They are beautiful.

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