brooklynorchids | Brooklyn Orchids

My Phal Amboinensis is Blooming!

March 8, 2011 5 Comments

The title of this blog post says it all. I discovered a little bloom opening this morning when I went to mist my orchids:

This is the first of my Hausermann’s purchases to spike and bloom (aside from the Phal manii which was in bloom when it arrived). Mine looks a little different from the typical Phal amboinensis, which you can see in this orchid of the week post from awhile back. The purple lip is what makes this one unique:

The bloom isn’t fully open, but I got so excited that I had to write about it. As you can see, there are two other buds developing on this spike (I wish there were more, but at least it’s blooming, period!). Once this baby opens up more, I’ll post another update!

Also: I’m planning to go to The Orchid Show at the NYBG this Friday! Woohoo!!

My Orchid Garden

Glorious New Big Box Phals

March 4, 2011 10 Comments

This morning I was in the mood for more orchids, so I took a walk to the Home Depot over in Gowanus, which is really not easy to get to on foot. It’s rather sketchy over in those parts (very industrial), but I made it there and back in one piece and with TWO new orchids! The Lowe’s was on my way home so I figured, what the hell, I may as well stop in there too. And, well—as usual—I couldn’t resist. The orchid I got at HD is this lovely dark red Phal that looks more on the magenta side in this photo:

New Red Phal — Beautiful deep red blooms

Orchid of the Week

Orchid of the Week: Zygolum Louisendorf

March 4, 2011 No Comments

I’ve mentioned previously that Zygopetalums are one of my favorite types of orchids. Well, I discovered a similar orchid in the December 2010 issue of Orchids magazine, called Zygolum. It’s a hybrid of Zygopetaum and Zygosepalum, and is apparently less susceuptible to black spots that are often found on Zygopetalum foliage (both of my own Zygos have these spots). For this post, I’m focusing on the variety “Zygolum Louisendorf.”

These orchids are just drop dead GORGEOUS.

Zygolum Louisendorf — Photo credit: Ron-NY, slippertalk.com

Orchid of the Week

Orchid of the Week: Paphiopedilum Micranthum

February 25, 2011 1 Comment

It’s a dreary day in Brooklyn today, but at least it’s not freakin’ snowing again. I’ll take warm and wet over dry and frozen any day. Because I can feel a touch of spring in the air, I’ve chosen to feature a cute little orchid with springy colors: Paphiopedilum micranthum.

Paph micranthum — Photo credit: parksideorchids.com

My Orchid Garden

Blooming Bonanza, a Rescued Orchid, & an RIP

February 21, 2011 9 Comments

In the past week, THREE of my orchids have bloomed, starting with this adorable harlequin orchid on Valentine’s Day:

Orchids in the Media

Happy One Year Blogaversary to Me!

February 13, 2011 4 Comments

One year ago today, I started Brooklyn Orchids! In that year, I’ve published 107 posts (including this one) and received close to 14,000 views! I’m very proud of what I’ve done with this blog so far, and I plan to keep it up. It’s nice having a hobby that I can share in this format with friends, family, and People of the Internet in general.

Since that first post a year ago, my orchid collection has grown from 9 to 31. My kill count has—unfortunately—increased from 2 to 7, but when your hobby involves growing living things, this is inevitable. Also in the past year, my orchids survived a move from Sunset Park to Park Slope and are now (for the most part) growing happily in my very own Orchid Room.

Over the last 365 days, I’ve written 28 Orchid of the Week posts, a couple posts on unfortunate orchid names, and a whole bunch of informational posts about growing orchids. I must admit that I’ve been slacking on those informational posts lately, and my goal is to get back in to the swing of writing them.

I hope you’ve been enjoying reading my blog as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it! Here’s to many more years of orchid obsession and blogging. Ta-ta for now. 🙂