Monday, July 2, 2012

The Care and Feeding of Orchids

The care and feeding of orchids. It is a subject I know nothing about. Seriously. Nothing. So, despite the fact that I love orchids, I have never owned one. To be completely honest - they scared me a little. More than a little. I was flat out intimidated by them.

A couple of months ago, I was given an orchid as a farewell gift when I left my paying job. It was beautiful. Two stems full of gorgeous white blooms and healthy green leaves.  I owned an orchid!

I started thinking... maybe I could care for an orchid! How hard could it be really? I brought it home and upon the suggestion of someone who seemed to know what she was talking about I placed it in the bathroom.

Things seem to be going well. Another bloom opened. It seemed healthy. Time went by and the blooms lasted weeks and weeks. I was encouraged. Oh sure.. after about six weeks a few of the blooms started dying and falling off, but really - this orchid thing wasn't so hard. And I was pleased to have such a lovely plant in my home.

Then I was reminded why I have never had an orchid before...






10 comments:

  1. I work for a lawfirm and we get new orchids every 3-4 weeks, as they end up looking just like yours. I know nothing of their upkeep either. I am told by the florist who delivers them to really soak them once a week pot and all in a bucket of water. Leaves will appear first... Very large ones. None of us had any flowers come back yet, but our leaves are really big and pretty.

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    1. So there is hope of bringing it back after it gets to this point? Interesting!

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  2. orchids are so tricky I had a lady that lived in my carehome her daughters brought her orchids for every holiday and I felt horrible that the staff wouldn't even try to keep it alive for her I did constance care on my shifts but not quite enough to save them, then the daughters got smart and TA DUM...they got her a silk one that looked so incredibly real with a few squirts of floral air freshener are little lady was happy all year long!! Maybe go for a silk one lol :))

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    1. That might be the only kind I can keep alive! LOL

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  3. I am laughing as I read this. SW got me an orchid for Mother's Day. The last two buds fell off without opening (I think I overwatered it) and the rest of it is still going strong. But I look at it every day wondering when it will die. Because it surely will. I kill everything. Well, except my Patricia vine and Pothos. Those seem to be like weeds, and weeds thrive with me. :D

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    1. I'm thinking I should stick to Pothos and Purslane!

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  4. Awww... poor little plant. I have a black thumb so I certainly sympathize. My mom loves orchids so for Mother's Day I got her an artificial orchid plant from Gump's (a store in San Francisco that specializes in fancy merchandise). You honestly cannot tell it from the real thing. Makes me feel a little better about my total lack of horticultural abilities ;-)

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    1. I know! It's sad, isn't it? I'm thinking artifical orchids may be my only hope of keeping one alive. : )

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  5. Aww! One day I hope to have a garden full of beautiful flowers...but I think that I was not blessed with the elusive green thumb. I can't keep anything alive either!

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    1. Funny thing... the outside flowers look pretty good. It's the indoor stuff I struggle with.

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