Friday, January 27, 2012

Why I love Orchids




It's because they are repeat bloomers,
especially the Phalaenopsis Orchid.
And of course, because they are so exotic.






Do you remember when orchids were very expensive.  I do.





Now you can purchase orchids in grocery stores and many other non traditional plant places.





And they come in so many different colors.





There is never a need to have a plastic Phalaenopsis.




They cost less than a flower bouquet yet each flower spike lasts 4 months or even longer.




When they finish blooming,  place them in an out-of-the-way place, water once a week and watch them bloom again.


Phalaenopsis Orchids  are not difficult. Once they bloom they are very happy in any light condition. However, you must keep them away from  direct heat.

 Place Phalies wherever they are appreciated the most. 

Give them a try, you will be so pleased that you did.

Gina




34 comments:

  1. Those colors are pretty amazing, and the combinations really provide additional drama.

    I might have to try some orchids in my plant-unfriendly apartment before January ends. My second crop of paperwhites is nearing its final burst of blooms and I was considering some hyacinths. Hmmm. Orchids might be more fun to draw or paint!

    Best wishes.

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  2. I don't have a blooming orchid at the moment, but it may come back again! Right now, a fragrant hyacinth has a place of honour.

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  3. Gina your blog is so beautiful - I am a great fan of orchids too, my favourite being a Lady's Slipper orchid I bought in a flower market in Maderia.

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  4. Gina, i'm a bad gardener and not good with plants but yes, i'll follow your advice, i'll try the orchids ! I especially love this pink hue. I noticed some blue orchids at my hairdresser last week...mmm..not really my favorite but interesting...
    Have a lovely week end...
    Lala

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  5. Dear Francesw, Hyacinths are fun and make great subjects for painting. But also, give the Phalaenopsis a try. The trick, this time of year, is to keep them away from the cold and not put them near a hot fireplace. Lighting is not important once they are blooming. Just water once a week by running under a faucet and letting them sit to drain.

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  6. Hi Little Garde, Don'tgive up on your orchid. It sometimes takes an entire year for them to bloom again. But it is worth the wait.

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  7. Dear Rosemary, Lady Slipper Orchids are very beautiful. I have not been able to make them bloom again. That is why I usually choose Phalaenopsis. I have better luck with them.

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  8. Dear Lala, You have the perfect light conditions for indoor orchids, especially the Phalaenopsis. I haven't seen blue but I'm always surprised by the many new colors orchid growers are creating.

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  9. They are so beautiful and beautiful pictures.

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  10. Gina, thank you for the additional winter orchiding tips.

    (I did buy a big pot of pink hyacinths at the farmers market today, and have them settled in the deep windowsill of my only room that doesn't have a hissing radiator just below the window sill.)

    I am going to also seek out these colorful orchids. I have no fireplace. The trick is those radiators that do valiant duty against our NYC chill just beyond the windows.

    I'll keep you posted. Best wishes.

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  11. Yes you are right Gina, I had to wait 10 years for mine to flower again, but when it did I got so excited!

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  12. Gina, beautiful Phalaenopsis Orchids. They are so available ... in price and in stores and they bloom *forever*!!!

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  13. Funny, we both have a post on orchids this week. However, I have not had success with reblooming. Do you feed yours special orchid food?

    I love the colors you have.

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  14. I have never tried growing orchids but I always think they are beautiful! ♥

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  15. Gorgeous, I have some in my front window and they flower faithfully every year. Take care and enjoy the week:)

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  16. Such gorgeous blooms, Gina!
    You have more than the proverbial green thumb, both thums and all fingers too, I'd say.

    A friend of mine has a skylight in her bathroom, and a shelf with the healthiest looking orchids, blooming profusely.

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  17. Oh yes Orchids, aren't they special. Yours look amazing. Your photographs are beautiful. Karen

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  18. Hello Anki and welcome. So nice of you to visit and thank you also for your sweet complimant. Gina

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  19. Hi Frances, Once most orchids bloom they don't mind marginal light. However, they will probably not rebloom unless placed in a north or east facing window.

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  20. Dear Rosemary, Congratulations! I don't have the patience to wait 10 years but I can well imagine how you must have felt when you saw a new spike appear on your Ladyslipper orchid.

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  21. So true Snap. I remember when I had to seek my favorite orhids at special orchid growers and at special prices. Now all of us can enjoy them.

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  22. Hi Bonnie, I don't give my orchids special orchid food or for that matter, any kind of food. I know that I should and I know that I would have better results. When they're not blooming I let them rest in an east facing window.

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  23. Hi Lavender Dreamer, Next time you see a pretty orchid why not take it home with you. It will bloom for months and give you lots of pleasure while waiting for spring to come.

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  24. Hi A Garden of Threads, You have discovered the beauty and the know how of orchids. The only trouble they are addictive.

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  25. Hi Merisi, Your friend has discovered the secret of growing and re-peat blooming of orchids. THE BATHROOM. Perfect conditions when also the light is just so.

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  26. Thank you Karen and thank you for stopping by. Sounds like you also enjoy growing orchids.

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  27. Those Orchids are beautiful. I've owned one orchid and I killed it with water. Pat

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  28. Hi Guilty, Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment, Gina

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  29. Hi Pat, Next time run water over your orchids once a week and let them drain for half an hour in the kitchen sink. Orchids hate to sit in water. Good luck.

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  30. Pat, the colours of the Orchids, the way you have them displayed, the beauty of the photographs shared, all make for a wonderful post series~

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  31. Hi Mary, Orchid growers have come up with some pretty amazing new colors. My favorite is still the pure white orchid with pink centers and then there are the yellow orchids with pink centers ,,, Thank you for stopping by, Gina

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  32. Wonderful phalaenopsis, the colours are just incredible. Mine spend the summer hanging in the appletrees.

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  33. Hello Ingmarie, What a great idea you have, hanging your orchids into your apple trees during the summer. I always enjoy coming to your post and seeing your lovely flowers photographed so beautifully and expertly. Gina

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