A couple of weeks ago, a glass blowing buddy of my husbands suggested that I call AJ (initials to protect privacy) and see if I could help her out. He said she is widowed and in her seventies and could really use my help. He also said that she raises orchids and there probably would be a lot I could learn from her.
I called her, and told her we would come up to visit, then she could tell me how I could help her. The drive is a little over a half an hour.
My husband and I went to her house yesterday and was given a tour of her greenhouses. (She has seven up and running). I would post some of the wonderful pics I got, but I don't have her permission to do so. As soon as I get her permission, I'll put them up on the gallery.
Her greenhouses were not the typical greenhouses, with rows of plants, neatly cared for. They were botanical greenhouses - and each one was like walking into a forest - (it was WONDERFUL!!) she kept apologizing saying that the expectation is always different - but I loved it!!
There was 1 *ONE!* greenhouse that was orderly and what one would normally expect - there she grew commercial flowering and used that to support the other greenhouse she 'loved'.
The botanical greenhouses each had a rubber tree growing in the corner that branched out along the ceiling to shade the other plants growing below.
She used terracotta pots for all of her plants - some were broken for the roots outgrowing them, I asked her about this, she shrugged and said, "natural!" The broken ports still served as support, but just became a part of the material the plants were growing in. She doesn't fertilize at all nor does she repot when it's supposed to happen. The plants looked like they would look if you found them out in the woods, imperfect, beautiful, and omg - the flowers were stunning!
She showed me what a 'beginning to sunburn' orchid looked like, then promptly shaded it - so I know what to look for now. My phal didn't die of sunburn.
Nearly all of her orchids were originally purchased in the late '50's early '60's!
I was worn out last night - but it was a wonderful good day. I noticed that some of the orchids fascinated me more by how they grew and what the actual plant looked like. . .I hope to share some pics soon.
Edit: Edited Title at request of owner of Greenhouse as she has had her greenhouses broken into and vandalized.
Visited Botanical Orchid Greenhouse yesterday! :)
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