Bloomin Beauties

It might be winter but the orchids sure don't seem to know it or care. We've been lucky enough to be showered with orchid blooms all winter long.

This vanda blooms several times a year. They are one of the easiest orchids to take care of in my opinion...no potting medium necessary. Just place them in a...we use...wood basket and hang them up.

This oncidium has about five 2 foot long sprays of golden flowers dangling from the basket. It's a long bloomer and a hearty multiplier.

This sunny and bright cattleya is also a wonderful bloomer. This orchid hangs right next to the one above, so every time I see them out the window it's like looking at sunshine, especially on a dreary day.

This little guy is also a repeat bloomer. He blooms at least 3 times a year. Very exotic looking...don't you think?

And, this beauty is brand new. My neighbor Nancy (you remember Nancy, right?) and I exchanged some of our fast growing orchids. I gave her a frilly green cattleya and a golden yellow one for this colorful beauty. Plus, it has a really cool looking fern growing in the basket as well...a bonus to me!

Don't worry I do remember to bring these and the rest of the collection inside when the temps drop below 50 degrees. Fortunately, that hasn't been to often this year -- yippee!

Being surrounded by such beauty in the midst of winter makes me a very happy girl.

January Orchids

Despite having spent two weeks indoors this month, we've got a handful of orchid in bloom. This orchid always reminds me of butterflies fluttering around. It blooms twice a year, and this time is sporting three long sprays of blooms.

This deep purple phaleonopsis will bloom for several months.

And, these two vandas are repeating for the second time in the last 6 months. They are a real treat!

I always get excited when I see a cattleya bud emerging. The flowers are so large and lovely.

And, a surprise...this is the first time this plant has bloomed for us. I bought it for my husband at an orchid show last spring based on the grower's recommendation. I was in search of a tangerine-color bloom. I am absolutely delighted with the flower...it's gorgeous!

January Orchids

January was a good month for orchid blooms, especially when you consider that they spent a lot of time indoors because of cold weather.

A couple of these carried over from December, and oh yea, there is a bromeliad stuffed in the middle. I bought it at Lowes. I just couldn't resist the sunset color combination.

I love this deep bold purple color. It looks like velvet.


This is a real beauty with a large and deliciously scented flower. It filled the entire kitchen with its sweet aroma, but on this day it is out soaking up the sunshine.

Ah, this is one of those very tiny orchids in a plastic bag that you find at one of the box stores. There is a picture attached to the plastic but you're never really sure what you'll get. I can't remember what the picture looked like but I am very pleased with this sunny yellow beauty.

I couldn't resist including this photo of Allie the cat. In our family, even the cats appreciate beautiful flowers. But as you can see, she has bad cat manners as she lies sandwiched between two orchid plants on the kitchen counter.