I'm starting with updates from last week's Garden Blog where I photoed orchid bloom spikes. As you will see, some are all-out blooms now and some are still working on it :) Be sure to scroll all the way through to see photos of new plants that were not part of the bloom progression series. Oh, and you can click on the images to enlarge, of course.
Encyclia tampensis - the 13 spikes now have swollen buds. Maybe another week?
It was another white phal! I mixed 4 or 5 plants into two baskets and it appears both phal basket have a part of this one white phal with the pink center. So the two pink/purples and the three whites have bloomed. That leaves a light yellow with pink veins that I have yet to see since repotting about this time last year.
Notylia barkeri
I believe they call this type of dendrobian a nobel because it blooms right on the cane after the leaves fall off. Notice the buds are getting bigger and there are sure lots more of them. Stay tuned for the actual bloom - it's unusual.
The hot pink is just starting to show. I may have to photo mid-week to catch it in it's glory.
The Psychopsis is slow but dependable. It's been reblooming on that same spike for two years now, I believe.
The glorious Cattleya. I used flash so photo looks hot pink when actually it is a dark purple.
My orchids are back ouside! Here's a couple photos of the screen porch where most of my orchids live. I believe they are very happy to be in a humid environment instead of a dry house.
Here's a shot of the walkway where 5 orchids hang. Four of the 5 have either blooms or bloom spikes! You get to see your plants up close and personal when you move them all into your house and then move them backoutside.
Speaking of blooms, this relatively new plant has never bloomed before and I was pleasantly surprized to see this! Someone in an earlier post inquired about the name of this orchid. I still haven't found it, sorry. When I figure it out I will post it - promise. Anyway, the bloom is a mystery to me so I can hardly wait to see what it looks like.
My favorite Cattleye has 4 buds! I had no idea until I was putting them backoutside and gave them all a close look and cleaning. Just wait till you see these. They are bearded/ruffled! I promise to post a photo this year. Last year I missed it.
Phalanopsis have huge bloom spikes. Unfortunately, I accidentally lopped the top off one. Hopefully there are still bloom eyes left on the spike :(
This has an amaizing scent when the bloom opens. I am so excited! It blooms only once a year aand usually the beginning of February. Last year it had two blooms but looks like this year will be back to normal with only one. I almost lost this plant to bad gardening this year. I had to water it back to health so I am thankful it's blooming at all. It needs repotted yet it hates being repotted. What's a gardener to do?
This is a bloom spike on a miniature plant. It looks so large in the photo but it is teeny.
A hanging Cattleya in the Key Lime tree. It has two double bloom spikes. This plant looks very happy about it's last year in the lime tree - it's grown, plemntiful blooms, and healthy looking leaves.
I didn't bring my stag horn fern inside but it looks fine. It's protected by it's location under the Key Lime tree. My neighbor had his all covered in a blanket so i was concerned. At our house I only saw frost on the top of the cars and spots in the lawn.
The photos above and below are of my pool garden - boy does it need some work! My plan was to cut it back today but I had a swollen gland last night and this moring a bit of a scratchy throat. I believe it would be unwise to work outside today. Right now if you tried to walk around the pool you would likely fall in being pushed by overgrowth. Jerry suggested I call a landscaper but I had horrible memories of Conan the Landscaper from 2 year ago and said "no way".
