Sunday, December 12, 2010

Of Mice and Men and my Cymbidium Orchids


This time of year my Cymbidium Orchids start blooming ... just when I need them



The first year my orchid had 3 flower spikes




The following year my Cymbidium had 6 spikes





In the summer I park my orchids outside, behind the garage, in partial shade.   I leave them outside until the first light frost in late September/early October.  (A light frost will set flower spikes) 




Last year, just about this time of year, 16 glorious flower spikes appeared all at once





 And this year I have pots of Paperwhites blooming,  MICE ATE THE ROOTS OF MY CYMBIDIUM ORCHIDS


Gina



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7 comments:

  1. KarenaDecember 12, 2010 at 9:13 AM

    Gina, the orchids are (were?) so gorgeous!! I do adore paperwhites as well though! Beautiful with a white, silver, gold Holiday decor!

    Do come and enter my Giveaway from Fifi Flowers!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  2. AnonymousDecember 12, 2010 at 10:27 PM

    I'm sorry about the mice! Perhaps you need a cat:)
    I was thinking, Gina, that it would be very nice if you did a post on bulbs to plant at this time of year (I know, it's already a little too late in many parts of the world). I've been trying to find different bulbs around here, but they only carry tulips and hyacinths!

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  3. GinaDecember 14, 2010 at 5:18 AM

    Hi Karena, Thank you for the invite. And you are right, paperwhites look great with Holiday decor. I also like their scent, some people can't be in the same room with them.

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  4. GinaDecember 14, 2010 at 5:30 AM

    Dear Francesca, We have a cat. Stanley is a very good mouser and also takes care of a few other vermins. Living in a place with open fields all around we just have to let nature take its course at times.

    We plant bulbs in late October in our area. Except for paperwhites which I plant in pots for indoor enjoyment.

    I don't know how cold it gets in your area. Most bulbs need a 6-week pre-cooling period where the winters are mild. Have you checked bulb catalogs for Italy. What about Holland?
    In our area most of our garden centers and even grocery stores carry a good assortment of Spring bulbs in the Fall.
    By the way, Rodents love tulip bulbs. They don't like daffodils because they are poisonous.

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  5. Theresa CheekDecember 14, 2010 at 6:41 AM

    I am sure the mice knew what a delicacy they were eating when they gnawed the cymbidium roots! How kind of you and Stanley to let them dine on them! Oh well....paperwhites do smell amazing, so pungent! I love them!

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  6. LindaJuly 14, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    Gorgeous orchids!

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  7. Fishtail CottageJuly 15, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    Thanks for linking up to Cottage Flora Thursday's Garden Party! Gorgeous orchid...& yes, a cat would be a good addition...but i've heard cats are known to chew on house gems too!xoxo, Tracie

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