Exciting Orchid Happenings!

My largest orchid, Phalaenopsis 'Happy Girl' is growing well and showing it! I see something here...

 

...is that a new root or an emerging bloom scape? To be honest I don't make a point of inspecting my orchids a lot, and this helps me maintain rank amateur/bumbling orchidist status. More blooms would be a fantastic first for me, so I'm really hopeful.

 

 

 

Meanwhile the former bloom scape remains green, yet inactive. Huh. Well it doesn't seem to be hurting anything, so I'll leave it alone...

 

...considering my orchid track record, a minimalist approach to everything seems wise to me! Formerly I had been fertilizing too, but this round of orchids can do without until I see if they can just survive my general maintenance "techniques". My learning curve tends to have some hairpin turns :)

Wisconsin Winter Flashback

I really love winter, but this winter in my current location is very blah. So here's a flashback of some favorite winter scenes from around my Wisconsin home....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

....*sigh*. Ah well, back to my snow-lacking and un-scenic current winter. I need some garden therapy!

Funky Orchid Planter-Round 2

Since my orchid "funnel experiment" bombed awhile back, the poor orchid test subject has been waiting for a new home.

So I'm soaking some orchid media in distilled water...

...and I selected this enamelware thingy as a planter. I like the holes for drainage, and it will display nicely (any excuse to use my collectibles and justify my habit :)

There! This orchid piece looked more viable than the other one, although when it regrows leaves I'll have to adjust it somewhat.

This portion looked a tad far gone to me, so into the worm bin it goes.

 

Cute!

I'll hang it an an angle so it can get the brighter morning light, and be protected from the more intense afternoon light...I hope it grows!

I got to looking at my other orchids, and this mounted Maxillaria Tenuifolia looks like it could use more media around the roots.

Soaked the moss in distilled water for 30 minutes or so...

...and used some fishing line to add it to the moss already present.

There! Now I feel better...

...lets hope the orchid does too.

Winter brings dry air, so I add a humidifier...

...it helps me breathe easier and provides my orchids with the moist air they love. I hope they will love me back with some blooms!