Today Gail Bromer is sharing a method to brighten up the winter months.
I started to collect orchids 30 years ago and still have several plants from those early years. I am a survival-of-the-fittest collector and don’t know most of their names, but I love to have their color, particularly during winter. Various orchids bloom throughout the year. Orchids bloom for long periods of time. I have one blooming now that was a gift in June and is still going strong.
When we bought our new home seven years ago, we built in a plant area. I have a 10-foot window that faces southwest. It may not be a perfect light situation, but it’s what I have available. I water once a week and turn the heat down to 65° overnight in the winter. In the summer all the plants go outside onto a covered deck.
If you’ll let me, I’ll share some of my pictures without identifying them. I urge everyone to bring orchids home and enjoy their long bloom time. These days you can buy an orchid for the same price as cut flowers at the supermarket. Or you can search out your specialty grower and enjoy something a little more unusual.
These are blooming today.
This plant is 25 years old. I gave it to my father-in-law as a gift, and he returned it to me when he didn’t have any luck getting it to rebloom.
This is my 30-year-old plant.
Phalaenopsis are readily available at the supermarket.
I love the shape of these.
Aren’t these lovely?
Another unusual shape.
This was a supermarket find.
These bloom in the fall and complement the autumn colors of the leaves outside.
One last cluster of blooms from last February
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to gpod@taunton.com along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Bee Watering Station with Vivid Flower Design
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Thoughtful Combo: You will receive a bee feeder and 30 glass marbles. This thoughtful combo can provide clean water for the bees, you just need to put the marbles into the bee watering station, add water (note: the water level should not exceed the height of the marbles) and hang them in the right place. The round, colored marbles can provide a place for the bees to stand and prevent them from falling into the water, effectively keeping the bees safe. Fine Material: This exquisite bee bath is made of high quality iron material, smooth surface, rust and weather resistant, not easy to fade, sturdy and reliable. Bee cups for garden can well meet the drinking water needs of lovely bees, and it can also provide food for bees, such as sugar water, nectar, etc., attracting more bees to your outdoor area and making your garden full of vitality. Perfect Size: The butterfly watering station has an overall height of 13.4 inches, a bowl diameter of 9.4 inches, and a weight of 0.44 pounds. The bee cup serves the needs of the bees well without plunging them into dangerously deep water or taking up unnecessary space in your garden, and this compact and efficient design makes it a practical addition to any outdoor space. Elegant Design: Our bee watering cups are designed in unique flower shapes with vibrant and realistic colours to attract lovely bees to your garden and patio, bee feeders for outside are not only functional but can also be used as a landscaping element, their vibrant floral patterns enhance the beauty of your garden. Multicolored Decoration: Colorful bee water stations look like flowers in a garden, flower bed or pot and attract bees and butterflies. They can drink or bathe in bee feeders, which are highly decorative and practical.
The Regenerative Landscaper: Design and Build Landscapes That Repair the Environment
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
2024 Nautilus Award Gold Medal Winner! This awe-inspiring guide weaves together permaculture design, food resiliency, climate adaptation, community organizing, and indigenous wisdom that you can implement in your own backyard.
Spear & Jackson 4930FZ Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Telescopic tree pruner with SK5 carbon steel blade which stays sharper for longer. Variable length telescopic handle extends up to 92 Inch (2340mm). Lopper for cutting branches up to 1.2" (30mm). 13 inch (330mm) saw is ideal for cutting thicker branches. Supplied with a long cord and pull-action handle. Part of the Razorsharp Advantage collection, the obvious choice for gardeners who demand and expect precise, powerful performance. "Grow Your Own" Great British Growing 2020 Award Winners.
Comments
How glorious, Gail! I received my first orchid as a generous gift from my daughter twenty-six years ago, and also became enchanted by them. I lost many when we moved to our current home, but am finally able to grow them again with the addition of dedicated grow lights. Thank you for sharing!
What a beautiful winter garden!
What an amazing collection of healthy plants and drool worthy blooms! You have apparently found the perfect locations for beautiful orchids. Wow!
Wow your 25 years old Orange Orchid is stunning! You sure know what you're doing, you've had a lot of success with Orchids!
Stunning!! I never have had success getting to rebloom so gave up... now you have tempted me to try again!
A feast for the eyes! Thank you so much for sharing !
Beautiful flowers!
Now I see why people grow orchids. Beautiful and such variety.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in