2018 Is Blooming (Almost)

The great thing about orchids is when they bloom, they last for several weeks. 

The bad thing about orchids is they take FOREVER to bloom! Kind of like watching a pot boil.

So I thought I would do an update on what's going on in my very cramped bay window where all the plants are gathered for the winter. I have omitted my turmeric plant, the many jade plants and the succulents saved from a wedding Texter attended last year. 

I have also omitted several orchids which are (1) currently in bloom (one) or (2) just finished blooming (one) or (3) just sitting there.

I will also admit up front my orchid care will make most orchid growers scream in horror. I practice benign neglect. 

Of course, my set-up is less than it should be. And I am already dreading the move in May. Hopefully, watering them like crazy, wrapping them in newspaper and carefully setting them in a couple of boxes will allow them to make it in 7-10 days to North Carolina. My goal, once there, is to switch them over to using clay balls rather than orchid bark/mulch once they have 'destressed' from the move. 

But on with the show...

This is my Brassavola which I purchased in early 2017. I did have two flower spikes, but accidentally knocked one off when I was fiddling with it.

However, I recently noticed I have two more flower spikes forming. I can't wait to see this one in bloom as I have never seen a flowering Brassavola in real life. Plus, it is supposed to smell really great at night.

This is my Dendrobrium Kingianum “Merlin” I got at a recent Great Divide Orchid Society meeting. It has a kiki (I think) started and also a flower spike (hopefully).

This is my Epidendrum Max Valley I picked up at another Great Divide Orchid Society meeting back in July. It has also produced a kiki and way down on the bottom right of the picture, is another growth. Another kiki? Don't think it's a root. 

I know I could remove the kiki, but don't know if I should or not since it will only have 4 or 5 months to get established before I stress it with the move.  I will have to get advice from the Society.

A better view of the new growth.

The rest of my orchids are my 'rescued orchids' from Walmart and Lowes. If all goes well, I will have four Phal's in bloom shortly.

What color these are going to be I have no idea.

Then I have two spikes coming off one plant.

And number 3 Phal with a spike and some new roots.

See Phals are easy to grow, even if you seem to be set on killing them!

Another rescue Phal and while I did repot it, it never seemed to catch on like the others. Since it didn't seem to be getting the water it needed (limp, leathery leaves), I took it out of the orchid potting medium and am trying growing it in water. It has only been in there for about a week, but it seems to be liking it. Hopefully, it won't hurt the flower spike, as it would be number four in bloom.

This is a Cattleya I got as a gift and it has this new growth on it. But it doesn't seem 'fat' enough to also have a flower spike it in. But I am trying to remain hopeful it will flower at some point in time...sooner than later.

And last, but not least, is this African Violet I picked up a Herb & Garden in Downtown Helena. 

It started blooming and has been covered in blooms for about two months now and doesn't seem to show any slowing down.

So that's my 'blooming life' right now. That and flipping through seed catalogs (Lady K wants colored carrots, by the way).