Making up for lost time

It seems the weeks  go by and I realize I have not blogged in a long time.  No excuses, but I have been on the road.  Mostly beautiful New York, however, not so beautiful when it is bitterly cold.
I have never experienced such cold.  It would take me 15 minutes to put all the clothes on and 15 minutes to take it off.  As I wait for the last minute sometime to do things, this was not good.
Any way, this time, I was fortunate? to see the inside of an emergency hospital with the drop dead good looking doctor.  Not bad for someone that was sick.  I am happy to report that I am much better and off to N.Y. and L.A. - New York is going to be cold again, but looking forward to L.A.
I must tell you there were no orchids in the emergency room however, they were everywhere else.
I asked a nursery the reason for various orchids not  sold in N.Y., they told me that other varieties
do not last for more than a couple of weeks, and people complain.  Too bad as you do not know what you are missing.
Off again, will try and be better at blogging.

Beast of Winter

Winter now seems endless.  I have just returned from the West Coast, missed storms on the East and West that I am happy about, but going right into another one next week in N.Y.  needless to say, not happy.  I really hate the cold.  Can not do a thing about it. 
I have been in San Diego and Los Angeles, country is really beautiful, hope our wonderful Govt. does not ruin this beautiful country.
Weather was so temperate, orchids were so happy, could not believe the profusion of orchids that I saw. 
One of these days, I am going to make my way to the Santa Barbara Orchid estate will take pictures and post them hopefully on the blog.  That is a problem I still have posting pictures.

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.

Divide and Conquer

This orchid is part of the Cattleya family also known as LAELIOCATTLEYA but smaller.  The plant grew quite large, roots out of the pot so Jim divided into 7 plants.  One has re-bloomed, the other had a bloom but died, (much to my sorrow - as I hate losing any orchids).  Another has a bloom coming, not quite sure of the rest.  Hopefully they will all recover as re-potting orchids is touch and go - we are novices, so just winging it.
I shall make every effort to decorate with the orchids for Christmas.  Saying that I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and happy new year.