My Orchid Garden

My First New Bloom of 2012

January 17, 2012 No Comments

Just a bit more than two weeks into 2012 and I have the first new bloom of the year! It’s a pretty little Phal that I bought at Trader Joe’s, probably about a year ago.

This is one of the orchids that I’ve been experimenting on with Keiki Grow Paste. I’ve already separated a baby orchid from this plant and potted it on its own…and the baby is also in spike! Can’t wait to see the blooms on that little one. But for now, I will enjoy the blooms that are opening up on this pretty white and peachy-pink Phal.

My Orchid Garden

My New Masdevallia from Trader Joe’s

December 23, 2011 28 Comments

I just did a little shopping at the downtown Brooklyn Trader Joe’s because a few friends are coming over tomorrow to not celebrate Christmas. None of my orchids are in bloom (sad!) so I figured I’d look for something pretty at TJ’s while I was there. And they had a few Masdevallias…for $7.99 each! I picked out this pretty yellow orchid:

There are four open blooms and two that should open soon if this little guy remains happy. Plus, I see at least two more spikes growing as well as some new shoots. Woohoo! This is my first Masdevallia. Let’s hope I can treat her well!

My Orchid Garden, Orchid of the Week

Orchid of the Week: Tolumnias

December 22, 2011 2 Comments

Orchid of the ~~Whenever I Get Around to It~~ Week is back today with Tolumnias! In my most recent post I bragged about one of my Tolumnia plants being in spike, so I thought now would be a good time to feature this pretty mini orchid. Tolumnia blooms come in a variety of bright, cheery colors like this specimen that I saw at the NYBG’s Orchid Show earlier this year:

My Orchid Garden

Quick Update: New Tolumnia Spike!

December 15, 2011 4 Comments

I was just misting my orchids and noticed that one of my Tolumnias is in spike! It’s the one that I bought at Lowe’s early this year.

I am so excited! My orchids have been showing a lot of new growths but not a lot of spiking. Will update for sure when this little beauty blooms!!

My Orchid Garden, Orchid Care

Keiki Removal and Potting Day!

November 30, 2011 18 Comments

I last posted an update on my Phalaenopsis orchid keiki grow experiment on September 1—almost three months ago! Since then many of the keikis have been growing quite nicely, developing roots (and, surprisingly, even a couple of spikes!) and today I decided it was high time to remove some of them and pot them on their own.

The first keiki had sprouted two good roots about three inches in lengths, along with a couple other new roots and a spike! I figured the spike was a sign that this guy was definitely ready for its own pot. The mother plant has her own spike as well.

Phal keiki — Nice healthy phal keiki with spike

My Orchid Garden

Happy Thanksgiving

November 24, 2011 3 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving to all my lovely readers out there. I’m so thankful for you and your support!

I’m at my parents’ house in St. Louis, and my mom’s Brassavola nodosa that I wrote about a couple weeks ago is still in bloom. It has an incredibly strong gardenia scent at night!! Here are a couple fun Instagram pictures of it:

I hope you all have a happy and safe holiday!