Back from AWOL

2020- Too depressing to write?

I can use that excuse for 2020, but not for being AWOL second half of 2019. No excuses.

But now that I’m back, let’s get right into it: a followup to my ever so popular post “Must I Kill A Plant To Save One”. When we last left my orchids, I was performing an experiment: can I grow a second orchid by lopping off the top of my Vanda and getting it to flower?

I can report back now: the experiment was a success.

Voila. Above is the original, wildly growing plant now in gawjus bloom with two magnificent flowers. (I’m talking about the purple guy behind this other beauty.)

And here an offshoot - see what I did here - of the original FINALLY put out a flower. With some orchids, you need patience. I waited about 3 years for this to flower. I have another shoot that is being stubborn and is taking it’s good old time about it. Picture this one, sans bloom.

Speaking of taking your time I figure I waited about 5 years for this one to bloom:

These grow like weeds in cool, wet climes. Think of a back porch in San Francisco. You may recognize this Oncidium as the kind you see gracing giant hotel vases (bad syntax; the vases are giant, not the hotels).

The whole idea is to have something in bloom all the time. Whether it’s these guys or this Venus Slipper (took 4 years to bloom).

Or this Thanksgiving Cactus…

Which last year bloomed into May.. (The Xmas Cactus has leaves that are not rounded on their edges but have toothy spikes.)

I have alot more to share. Especially my new Covid hobby that is 3 days of time and 15 minutes of work - talk about patience:

Next time…if you keep it where it is.