lavender Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 This one was worth waiting for. It is Beallara Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' I think it took about 2 years to bloom. Pheobe, sapphire, Pompeii and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bon Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I like that one. Reminds me of starfish for some reason. Why do orchids like their roots out of their pot?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old farm boy Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Very nice! I've never tried orchids, always been afraid because people say they're hard to grow. I do have good luck with African Violets though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricia Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 old farm boy: What window do you keep them in? North , south, east or west? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 That is gorgeous! I love orchids but I kill the simplest of flowering plants so I've never tried my hand at them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old farm boy Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 old farm boy: What window do you keep them in? North , south, east or west? I only have one window suitable for house plants (basement apartment) and it's on the north. I do have a two tier plant light system though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 I like that one. Reminds me of starfish for some reason. Why do orchids like their roots out of their pot?? Most orchids don't grow in the ground unlike our lady slippers. They are "epiphytic" growing on trees usually. They like waving their roots around because in their normal habitat they do exactly that. Since they don't get their water and nutrients from a substance like soil that stores them the roots are out there to catch what they can from rain and what is available from chance debris. That is why most are potted in bark. The roots like air and will rot in soil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bon Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Most orchids don't grow in the ground unlike our lady slippers. They are "epiphytic" growing on trees usually. They like waving their roots around because in their normal habitat they do exactly that. Since they don't get their water and nutrients from a substance like soil that stores them the roots are out there to catch what they can from rain and what is available from chance debris. That is why most are potted in bark. The roots like air and will rot in soil. Thank you!!! I've always wondered that. Is that why they tell you to water them with ice cubes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 Most of the stuff they plant orchids in doesn't hold water very well and drys out quickly. Once it is dry it is hard to get it wet again. To get it wet you have to let water run through it for awhile or it just runs off or let it stand in water which the roots don't like. The ice cube is a compromise. It lets the water go into the bark slowly enough for it to be absorbed without getting the roots too wet. Bon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sapphire Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 That is really pretty. I don't think I would have had the patience to wait 2 years for the bloom though (not to mention that I would have killed it in the interim). Bon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 I've killed my fair share and then some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tinygyrl Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 That is very pretty and one of my favorite flowers. I love orchids of any kind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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