Back from my orchid hiatus!!!

[peeweelovesbooks]

Hi guys!!!

Week 2 and I'm feeling fantastic! I overdid it a little bit last week but this week I'm much better!!

Anyway, I'm slowly getting back from my orchid hiatus. It was touch and go there for a while, but thank goodness it looks like I"m going to be able to manage this.

My sister helped me during the time I really couldn't deal with my plants, but luckily, they fared neglect gracefully. They spent the entire winter outside (it got down to the low 30's here) and everyone is thriving! Thank goodness.

My laelias are growing, but I have now (again) run out of room. I've been on a myrmecophila/ schomburgkia kick lately (to add variety) and they have taken up all available room on the shelf. I received a myrmecophila tibicinis from SBOE, and a replacement Laelia var. alba 'San Bar Oaxaquena' (they had sent me the wrong plant).

A Laelia lobata (new for me) and a Laelia superbiens seedling, along with two little Lc's from Kawamoto orchids await repotting--hopefully I can manage those sometime next week. I also ventured into the world of Neofinetia (finally) and species cattleya---I bought one Cattleya warscewiczii semi-alba (from Miranda Orchids) during the recent orchid show here, and a Cattleya maxima from 4331 Steven (the God of the Catt alliance)

Today I spent the day watering, checking the inventory, and making new labels, which look OCD-fantastic!! Next week I am going to clean everyone with the cinnamon/dawn soap solution (I do this periodically)

I am glad to report that ALL the Laelias have new growths--some as much as 5 or six little nubs. I'm pumped and I hope the new year brings lots of blooms for me.

That is all for now. I am waiting for the spring to mail out everyone's orchids.

M~

[Call_Me_Bob]

im glad you are feeling better!!!!! and glad to here from you.

glad to hear that your orchids are treating you well. and also glad that you are branching out try some encyclias! baha

[Daethen]

Welcome back and so glad that you are feeling better!!

[Becca]

Yippee! Welcome back! I'm glad you are feeling so much better Maria! And I am glad your orchids made it too! Sounds like your collection is growing quickly! I to just bought a L. lobata...the seller is waiting for warmer weather to ship....it may be a couple of months! Anyways....I'm so happy to see you back! Hope to see some pictures from you soon!

[Connie Star]

I'm so glad to hear you are feeling better.

[Lana]

Maria, it's great to hear your treatment is working!

[quiltergal]

Hey Maria, so glad to hear you're feeling better. Benign neglect can be a good thing for some orchids. Tell me about your cinnamon-Dawn cleaner.

[RosieC]

That's great news that your are feeling better Maria . Really glad you are getting back out to enjoy your orchids.

[camille1585]

Nice to have you back Maria! Glad to know the orchids are doing ok too, must have really helped that orchids can do well when somewhat neglected.

[Junebug]

It's wonderful to hear that you are feeling better and that your chids continued to thrive in spite of our cold spells.

Running out of room, hmmm, have you given any thought to mounting some of the space hogs? Schoms love mounts.

Have you thought of hiring a handyman to build a lattice wall or latticed arbor for you? I recommend the heavy duty lattice with larger holes because it supports more weight and lasts longer. Both mounted and potted plants can be hung from the lattice and you can easily shift the position of the plants according to their growth and space requirements.

Welcome back!