Back at Trader Joes

[SteveM]

Yeah I cant understand why people would just buy a plant for a center piece. I thought thats why they made fake plants. Hey some look very real.

I think I may do a study with the ice thing. Not sure if anyone has. but it is an interesting idea to see if there is any reality in the ice myth, as ridiculous as it may sound. Also would be interesting to see the damage that occurs and have it documented. Sounds like a good inside summer project. 2 to 3 ice cubes wouldn't do nothing here outdside in the summer so it would have to be inside. LMAO. I just have to get decent sample set to see if there is any coorelation.

[estación seca]

The idea behind ice cubes is to prevent people from overwatering Phals. in sphagnum moss. It usually works. It would be better if people let those two ice cubes melt to room temperature in a glass, then pour the melt water on the moss.

There are a lot of people who are unable to walk past a plant without watering it, or walk past a pet without stuffing a treat in its mouth.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Years ago, when Phals started being available everywhere for modest price, I had high hopes that clubs would grow and more people would get interested. Instead, I think that most people who buy them, treat them as expendable, like a bouquet... some will give the out of bloom plants to orchid-loving friends, but I cringe to think of how many get dumped. Either soon after they bloom, or when they expire from lack of care.

I once saw a tray full of Phals without flowers at a flower shop, I asked the clerk how much for them. She said "$1"

That was for the whole tray.

---------- Post added at 08:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:44 PM ----------

Originally Posted by dbarron

That just sorta makes me cringe, since they're NOT marigolds or petunias with multiyear production.
But I guess given production methods, it is what it is.

I've been shocked at people acting "surprised" at a Phalaenopsis losing their flowers and asking me "are they going to bloom again?"

I always ask "You didn't expect them to stay like that forever, did you?" and I kinda think they did? Or at least most just never stopped to think about it. When they ask when they bloom again and I say "in 6 months to a year with proper care" I always get "A YEAR" Haha

We literally observe the 12 month cycle of nature every year of our lives and some people are still surprised by it!

[estación seca]

People I know had never gardened. They decided to plant fruit trees. At a New Year's Eve party they told me their figs must have died. They kept watering and watering, but they lost all their leaves. They were startled when I told them figs lost their leaves every winter.

[Roberta]

Weird how folks don't make connections... in the temperate zone (outside the tropics), where can one live without noticing deciduous trees? In the fall, that is what leaves do! Even where the dominant trees are evergreens, there are also some deciduous ones.