Orchids

I love my orchids.  Once upon a time I would have though they were too difficult to grow, but have learned over time that I can and I have had some great success.

I first came to own orchids when we lived in Sydney way back in 1972  - we rented a house north of Sydney and the lady of the house was a keen orchid grower.  She was concerned that her orchids would be neglected during her overseas holiday and our rental period there, so I was keen to see them at least survive.  When she returned she was pleased that not only had they survived but by some divine good luck I suspect, they were flourishing.  She gave me several pots.  Over the years I have kept them growing, though there was a period when I was travelling that they didn't get my good care and some died.

When I moved to Beachmere, I brought some of them with me.  Eventually my fernhouse arrived and they flourish in there.

The photos are of catteleya orchids.  I have them adorning my house.

An Orchid Revives

I have always loved flowers - perhaps because my mother and grandmother also loved and grew flowers.  My mother took classes on floral art including Ikebana and entered Floral Art Competitions when I was in my early teens, and I learned from her, and also entered some competitions and won awards. All these years later I still have some of my certificates.

Then for a number of years flowers took a back step in my life, and around 1972 we rented a house in Sydney.  The lady of the house was reticent about leaving her wonderful orchid plants and  she instructed me on their care.  We were there for around 6 months, and when the family returned she called me and asked me to visit.  She presented me with 6 huge pots of cymbidium orchids as she was so thrilled that her orchids had flourished under my care. Some time later we returned to Queensland and the orchids came with us.

Over the years they continued to flourish and I repotted some eventually having quite a collection.  

However in the early 2000's I had trouble - I needed an "orchid house" as they needed to be protected from the raging Queensland sun in summer, and I lost a few.  When I worked overseas in 2008 - 2010, and then left home leaving them at my daughter's place, they suffered again.

Earlier this year when I moved to Beachmere I brought some of them with me, and later my "orchid house" came to be with me.  I am working to help them recover.

Some of the cattleya orchids were also damaged by the sun while I was away late last year.

There was also a "dead" orchid - still in a pot, with a hint of green it its stem that I refused to throw away.  I was thrilled to see new growth and indeed two buds on one of the orchids - I am not sure if it is a Cooktown orchid. Only time will tell, but it looks like it is flourishing.

  The two buds....

One of the cattleya is also showing great signs of life, with what looks like two buds protruding from a leaf.

I am hoping all is well.