Travelling with orchids

Re-Bloom phalaenopsis My next stop was Bangkok where I stayed with a wonderful customer in their home.  Looking up I saw this tree with orchids on it.  I asked how did it get there, they told me it grew natually.  Did you know that orchids are parasites.  What a beautiful parasite to have.
My next stop was Singapore - Oh the orchids, so I found a driver who took me to some beautiful orchids farms where the orchids were just as tall as me.  (I am not very tall).  As a reward I suggested we have tea at the Raffels Hotel.  He said he would not be allowed.  I told him"don't you bet on it" no one is going to stop me and we had a wonderful tea.

World with orchids

Rebloom Cattleya

I was in Jakarta on one of my trips and was staying at the Shangri La Hotel - at the entrance was a red carpet and a row on either side of the entrance with orchids.  I thought "how do they know" but I was told by the nice porter, this was not for me .... too bad ... but Mrs. Margaret Thacher was visiting Jakarta.  Unfortunately, I was not an invited guest to meet her.  Did you know that she loved orchids?
While in Jakarta I was going to dinner to my textile agent's home.  On the way to their house I saw many flower stalls on the side of the street with all kinds of orchids.  I suggested we stop so I could buy them one.  I was shocked, the price for a beautiful Cattleya was all of $2.00 - imagine my bewilderment, how could they be so cheap.  My hostess started bargaining with the flower seller and I told her "let me give him the money it is so cheap." she would not hear of it.  His price was just too high.  I was sick. 
The good news was that I started her on orchids which she just took for granted.

Pushing orchids

I have been very busy this week as the Furniture Market is on in High, High Point (as I call it) in No. Carolina but I have a bit of time to continue my saga.
I was so enjoying my orchids and the work it was saving me that I started pushing orchids on to other members of my family, who suddendly decided it was their idea.  I did not care as long as we were all getting the enjoyment.  I was now being asked for advise although, "it was not my idea".  We started giving each other orchids for special occasions, and I can tell you orchids made any room sophisticated and elegant.  However, I do not think it would go with Country style or Lodge.-have not tried with that style as it is DEFINITELY not my look.
At this time, I started travelling the world for business which took me to the Far East.  I remeber being at the airports in Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Hong Kong and could not believe the orchids that were displayed in the walk-ways to the baggage claim area.  I thought "wow" this must be the area to buy them - did not realize there were so many---------------varities.  Thought I am going to beat the system and add some of the unusual orchids to my collection.  I did not get very far.  Too much paper-work and not enough time.

Findling Orchids

Prior to Jim I met another wonderful man from New Zealand, how we met is another long story but safe to say on a plane flying from London to Rome.  We were just friends, honest.  One of his great wishes is that we would meet on the island of Hawaii and enjoy the time together.  He knew I loved orchids so the day I was leaving for the mainland he presented me with some beautiful Cattleyas.  Before getting on the plane I had to go through agricultural customs.  Of course I was stopped and my orchids were taken away.  Another "NO NO" can not bring fruit or flowers to Calif.  So I told the inspector, "please do not throw this away but take it home" I guess he thought I was bribing him and gave me a dirty look.  I had to keep cool as my temperature was rising but my cool side said "you do not want to be in jail in Hawaii".  So with a few tears I said good-bye to my orchids.  This did not stop me so the hunt was on for more ochids.

Discovering Orchids - 2

Cymbidum

My Cymbidum in bloom this year.

My collection of six or seven orchids were not doing well and did not look happy.  I could not understand why as I had a care taker - I was talking to them, taking care of them, but they were just not happy.  Why? the weather in L.A. was great - left them out at night but no response.

At the time, I was keeping company with Jim who came to visit me in L.A.   I asked if he knew about orchids, he said "a bit" well I immediately made him look,  his response was "orchids do not need their roots in water, that is a BIG NO NO".  We took them out of the water that had collected in the pot and within days they were happy.  By the way, Jim is now my husband.



Later...

So I took my beautiful white orchid home and it looked beautiful.  I was told the name for it was 'POP CORN ORCHID' of course the real name is 'PHALAENOPSIS' which is the most widely sold and bought.
Gosh, I was so proud of myself.  I thought look at the money I am going to save, this is going to last months and I can stop going every week to the flower market, buying flowers, spending time trying out different arrangements, and the worst part, changing the water every couple of days to keep the flowers fresh.
Ha Ha - ... but no one told me that I would now start looking for more orchids of different varities, and the pots to put them in the minute my orchid blooms died.    But I had great hopes that it would bloom again (as I was told) so now, I went looking for flower shops that specialized in orchids and tropical plants.  My Saturdays were consumed with this search and I found many in the L.A. area - Los Angeles what does not grow there?  Perfect weather for tropical plants.
Suddenly I had 6 orchids of different varities and they were all beautiful.  Now I am thinking, who is going to take care of this so I discussed with a friend who told me they knew a person who would come once a week and take care of them.  An answer to my prayer.
So I hired her.

Discovering orchids

I discovered orchids one day on my way to buy clothes at none other than Saks.  I looked into this flower shop on Santa Monica Blvd. in Bevery Hills and I saw this beautiful white orchid.  Of course I went in as it was calling my name and asked how much it was.  Well it was a cool $100.00.  Without batting an eyelash I bought it as I was made to believe it would last forever.  Six weeks was all I got.
More to come later