Flo’s New Bed

The last time I posted I was contemplating a brand new task.  Daughter has become quite skilled at orchid rescue. A friend provided us each with an orchid a couple of years ago. I calmly glanced at this one from time to time, sometimes dribbling a little water on her feet. Daughter fell in love with hers and assumed the mission of finding orphans to become her siblings. I believe the orchid compound now houses 17 or 18 blooming wonders, and additional species.

She reviewed my photos of this busy little plant and concluded it might be time to re-pot. As Mother’s Day approached, the Amazon elves offered up several deposits on my front porch. I was advised to wait until all supplies were in place  Last week I jumped in. I deposited a portion of the planting medium in the new pot, lifted her up at the neck and gently shook her dangling roots loose. Not one resisted. Really! This seemed far too easy. I held my tongue just right and scooted Flo over to her new bed, lightly scooping more “soil” around her shoulders. When the stem holding two blooms and a bud, had been successfully attached with hair clips, she looked right at home.  Finally, I exhaled and added a shot glass of bloom booster poured over two ice cubes. This was Daughter’s recipe and I offered a little prayer that I had not facilitated this plant’s untimely demise.

Today is Memorial Day.  Flo’s third bud has opened and she appears to be thriving. The photo below doesn’t show her in her best light. I apologize for the bad photography. Next time I ask her to smile for the camera, I will find her an uncluttered runway.

As her first attempt at modeling, Flo is truly a work in  progress.

Not qualified as a Greenhouse

Bring on the heat! I am so ready for some sunny bright summer days. In our drought ridden arid climate, we have witnessed far too many grey cloudy days with intermittent showers. My weeds are loving it, grass is seeding and re-sprouting, trees are experiencing growth spurts. My eyes are grimly fatigued, maybe even a little moldy. I know I shouldn't complain. 'Nuff said!

Meanwhile my orchid is bursting out of her britches! Yes this binge growing has even come inside. Flo, the Phalaenopsis, has a brand new pot and saucer.  Potting medium has arrived and I have listened to daughter's advice while welcoming these contributions. She sent some rather smelly organic orchid bloom booster. I mixed up a jar of the concoction and spooned a little in to Flo's current bed. A few hours later a second blossom opened. U-Tube videos are in agreement with methods shown on the back of the potting medium bag. 

OK! I guess Flo and I are ready to make good use of another grey day in the kitchen.  I'm going in...wish me luck and survival skills for Flo.