Wishes are horses

I am so sorry that I did not take a picture of the beautiful orchid that we were taking care of for my friend.
My other friend's orchid is just getting ready to bloom. I definitely will take a picture.
 I am very lax in my daily spraying of the orchids.  Not sure why I get so lazy.  I guess I get very tired of fighting the bugs.  Sometimes I think I am going to beat them and others it seems like an impossible task.
The interesting thing to note, is that some friends who keep orchids do not have this problem.
So Why me? there must be a way to eliminate them.
Once the weather (oh is it cold) gets better, I am going to Wake Forest gardens to talk to the orchid growers maybe they can tell me what to do.
Keep fingers crossed.

VANILLA ORCHID

You will not believe this orchid,  once it starts to bloom, smells like chocolate mixed with vanilla.
I have a few of these that should bloom soon.  I am watching out for the bugs to avoid them destroying the orchid, as I want to enjoy this orchid, hopefully, for the next 6 weeks.  Being that the weather is so ----------------------cold it is nice to see orchids blooming.
By the way, this orchid is from the Oncidium family.

Making friends happy

For the last 6 months we have been collecting orchids from friends to help them re-bloom.
Jim and I watch over them more than our own orchids.  The biggest challenge are the bugs that look so innocent you think it is just fluff.  Do not be fooled, those are Mealy bugs.
I am happy to tell you that we have the first re-blooms on one of my friends' Phalaenopsis which has six buds and is just about to burst forth.
I took it to her yesterday - the happiness on her face was worth all the work.
Maybe I should start another business.  What do you think?

Taking care of Orchids

The other day I was spraying orchids, I try to spray often, but sometimes get lazy or I am too cold and skip the duty.
Well, would you believe, some of the orchids had  mealy bugs.  I thought there was snow on the orchids.  Could not believe my eyes as I had just checked on them.
It took me a while to clean them with my handy vodka and my cue tip - This is one thing that has to be checked constantly as before you know it, the bugs have destroyed the plants.
Still wish I had a green house.  Maybe this year.
Off to Germany for the show, will check and see how many orchids I find
Happy New Year to all.