Beginner, phase 2: happy and sad

[Val]

Well, today my 6 months experience with orchids expanded dramatically, and now includes both extremes.

The good news is that the first Phalaenopsis flower 100% home-grown (on a new spike) opened today. I already had reblooms on old spikes and reblooms on new side-spikes, but for this one I can take all the credit, especially considering that all the new spike - buds - flowers process took place during winter months, on a Northern exposure windowsill. The flower is nothing out of the ordinary (solid white petals and sepals with a solid pink lip), but it's a first for me and I'm happy. (Remember YOUR first 100% home-grown bloom? ).

Also on the good side (hopefully): during the last three weeks I gathered all my confidence and bought two species: Phal. cornu-cervi and bellina. Let's see if I can take them to blooming.

On the sad side: today it became obvious that my first (and probably last) Miltoniopsis died on me. It all started when I went on vacation in October, and it was accidentally left with it's feet wet for two weeks. Repotted it, but too late. You win some, you loose some. On my way to becoming an expert, I gained my first 50 grams or so of killed orchids.

Between the new flower and the lost orchid, it's barely worth mentioning my first encounter of the 3rd degree with a mealy bug, yesterday. But I'm prepared

Who said winter is boring??