Ha Ha a funny thing happened yesterday...

[kindrag23]

While working on my application to be accepted into my local social work program at my school we had to write a paper....one thing we had to talk about is how we unwind everyday...i put on there that I care for my some 50 orchids....when my professor was reviewing it for me she was like Holy Cow that is a freaking lot of plants. I was like oh if you only knew about how many others have and if I had the money I could have!!!

[silken]

If only she knew! I sometimes don't like to say how many I actually have to non-orchid friends or family, because they don't understand and kind of raise their eyebrows like they think I have a problem

[kindrag23]

She was shocked that I put that much effort into that kind of plant care I am sure. lol. But they wanted to know how I unwind.....sooooo.....yeah.....

[Dendy83]

It's relaxing, I can completely understand! It's nice to take your mind off things without letting it rot watching TV hehe

[Ferns Daddy]

Orchids are very relaxing and they don't talk back or ever whine about their day, they just listen to you.

[brn_thmbs]

Originally Posted by Ferns Daddy

Orchids are very relaxing and they don't talk back or ever whine about their day, they just listen to you.

Yours listen to you? What's your secret? Apparently screaming 'Give me flowers' doesn't work, believe I've tried. Showing pictures of other's blooms then turning on the garbage disposal is only good for root growth, which is favorable, I'll grant that, but it's NOT LISTENING! lol
I had my Dad up for a visit (his first since my apparent head 1st dive into orchids) & he thought it was cool. And the 1st thing you see when you walk into my apartment is the lights at the far end (very bright!). Even I think I'm crazy sometimes, but I can't deny the relaxing effect of caring for them. Except my voice is a little horse

[Kailyn]

If i had the space I would have way more orchids. I think more is better so you don't over harass(love) the few you have. I'm generally a "hurry up and dry out so i can give you water and take care of you" person. luckily for me i usually get sad sickly orchids so even seeing new root growth and leaf growth is rewarding. I've been considering turning my spare room into an orchid room but I also live in fear of the inevitable day i have to move. I try to keep visions of a u-haul full of orchids at the forefront of my brain when I'm in a store with orchids that are screaming save me!

[terracotta7]

I tell people all the time that my orchids are my inside therapy and my flower gardens are my outside therapy. I also enjoy knitting and reading and baking. I had a visit from a very dear cousin a couple of months ago and she commented that in my world of taking care of my parents and in-laws and now as a hospice volunteer, that it is good to be able to create beauty and to surround yourself with things that are growing and need care. I felt a lot better about my "hobby" after that...kind as if there was a purpose that was healthy and useful.

That said...enjoy your orchids! When you are in social work you are going to need all the beauty you can get to sustain yourself so that you can be a support to others. Best of luck in your application process...keep us posted on your success!

[kindrag23]

Thanks yeah she did not even know about the plants in my gh or the trees planted....or about my 2 kitchenaid mixers...or my embroidary hoop that I make baby blankies on..hehe I think at that point she would have questioned my sanity.

[Leafmite]

I've been growing plants since I was three. I have found that only people that truly love gardening or houseplants understand, the rest scratch their heads, confused.

---------- Post added at 01:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:34 PM ----------

People walking into our home for the first time often comment that our house looks like a conservatory, others just look at my plants with widened eyes and say 'Wow'. In the summer and fall, things go better as people always love our fruit, nuts, roses, flowers or the culinary herbs.