I have some new orchids from the master garden center of Walmart. It took quite a few tries to get these two shots. I am a novice, a beginner, heck I think they are called moth orchids and they say people like me could be successful at keeping them alive.
This is a color of an orchid that I haven't seen before. It was loaded with many buds, all ready to bloom someday.
I picked up a book a few weeks ago at the bookstore and skimmed through it. It was created by a husband and wife team from the U of Iowa area. They were scientist and were the photographers for the book. The book was written about all the many prairie land reserves in Iowa. The fascinating part for me was all of the wild orchids, small specimens, that have grown in Iowa and are still out there in the wild today. The larger Lady Slipper grows in northern Iowa, but many different orchids of all colors grow wild in Iowa. Who would have ever thought that would be?
11 comments:
Lovely shots. I am the most unskilled gardener that ever walked the earth - weeds die under my care. But for some reason a couple of orchids on the kitchen window sill seem to thrive. Perhaps they benefit from "a light touch"
L.D.
You know I love them -beautiful pictures. These are easy to keep alive in the house this winter? Maybe I should try if they are.
vickie
Vickie, I am not so sure that they are easy to grow inside. Alan probably has a bright kitchen window and the moister probably in the air is higher there. I plan to share more about these in the other blog, but the directions for watering is three ice cubes a week. I think they need neglect as over watering it hard on them.
I have the same of on the first photo, Larry.
You can watch my post a bout my orchid on september 7. I told how to keep them alive.
Larry, I've kept orchids for years. These are
Phalaenopsis orchids. You can't kill them!...
I would never give them ice cubes. Hopefully they are planted in bark, not peat.... just give them 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water twice a week. They like humidity. If your house is not humid put them on a a saucer of waterwith rocks in it.(don't let the saucer touch the bottom of the pot) They like to be sprayed. I keep them with my african violets and give them the same care. I even give them the same food, and they are in bloom for months. They do not like to be moved much(which could cause their blooms to drop) so find a spot you like and keep it there. Close to a bright window is good. Phalaenopsis is very hard you will find! .. as long as you do not overwater. Enjoy!!! :)
I saw some of those orchids at our Wal-Mart but I past them by. Stopped and admired them for a minute or two, but figured with my black thumb I would take them home and watch them die. I hope they do good for you. Maybe, next time I will try my hand at trying to raise one. Everyone in their comments talk like they are easy to grow.
I was recently presented with a plant with blooms the colour of your first picture. I love them. Some years back I had different coloured orchids on my windowsill and a visitor said 'Do you know, for a minute I thought those plastic flowers were real.' I could have hit her :-)
These are GORGEOUS. I would be interested in hearing more about growing orchids indoors and where you order them from. Do you give them food? If so, what?
Larry, I have absolute faith you can do this! You are a gardener. They sure are lovely, that is for sure.
These are beautiful, I love the color of the first one.
I don't do well with Orchids. Actually I don't do well with any indoor plants, in fact people no longer ask me to take care of their plants while they are away. How embarrassing!
Sunny :)
Good Luck with the Orchids..lots of people have good luck..me not so much. I do not have any plants or flowers in the house..too allergic after all the greenhouse years. They are beautiful and you have photographed them very well. I believe that Minnesota has lots more Orchids growing wild too..they are out there, you just need to find them:)
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