Orchid Saturday December 3 2016

[estación seca]

Chores today. Watering orchids, doing laundry.

Took some friends to the airport; they are visiting a tiny town in Cambodia, where one of them has befriended a family.

The Desert Valley Orchid Society party is tomorrow afternoon. The Valley of the Sun Giant Schnauzer Rescue Picnic is tomorrow morning. I need to go to both.

I've been assigned to make potatoes au gratin for the DVOS party. Tonight I'm doing everything I can in advance, and partially baking them. The dish is in the oven now.

I need to go to the picnic with 4 dogs, leave early, rush home and broil the cheese on top of the gratin, then leave for the DVOS party.

Once the gratin is partially baked tonight I need to give 4 dogs baths. Tomorrow morning I will wake up early and brush out their beards, and entire coat in the case of Lilly. My two Giant boys have short haircuts other than on their heads. If you go to the VSGSR site you will see Neco, who is staying with me. He's a miniature Schnauzer and he is ready to adopt.

[Leafmite]

Today was a busy day. I went shopping (something I would rather do online) and it was pretty frustrating. I did not find many of the things I hoped to find. There was not much of a selection of decent pots or potting soil, even at Lowes (the only place that had any). I will probably just put the contents of the pot of my new camellia in straight pine bark as it won't like the strong fertilizer and heaviness of the miracle grow fertilizer. I forgot to buy more sand so I hope I have a bag somewhere....
The dogs, though, greeted me and I felt quite a bit better. The little Malti-poo, apparently, had been waiting at the door the entire time with her toy. Then, after putting everything away, I went upstairs with the dogs and we played with the plants for a bit, so, even better.

Two of my Cyncnodes are in bloom and smell wonderful. One comes from SVO and the blooms are huge compared to the species. The SVO gave me a solid-color female flower last time but now I have male flowers with spots.
Logees sent me Cattleya Mini Purple 'Shimanai' in bloom. I also have Dendrobium prenticei in bloom. The last time it bloomed, I took it to the OS meeting and no one could see the blooms. I have no idea why....? Lepanthopsis astrophora 'Stalky' is spiking and a couple of the Cattleyas seem to be budding. It isn't surprising that I have all of this happening now...we don't have another OS meeting until January.

[Pattywack]

Saturday was a great orchid day for me. I've been telling myself no more plants for the year but hey, I'm weak. Last Saturday I bought my first Neofinetia at Al's orchids as he had a 50% off table and I've always wanted to try a Neo. I did a lot of reading and research this week about them and one thing I learned is I want more Neos!

I made another trip to Al's yesterday with my daughter and had a great time picking a few more Neos. Al was a big help with information about each plant, gave me tips for remossing in the spring. I now have four nice healthy plants, paid a lot less than normal prices and didn't have to have them shipped!

My daughter grows succulents and Al gave her a piece of a plant he had red tagged. She was thrilled.

Here are the Neos I now happily own. From left to right: Neofinetia falcata Shutennou, Neofinetia falcata Kasen, Neofinetia falcata Fugaku and Neofinetia falcata Oonamiseikai. I think I'm done.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Today was a busy day. I went shopping (something I would rather do online) and it was pretty frustrating.

I thought you went shopping for home suplies when I realized it was all about gardening.
To me, shopping, is always frustrating unless it's orchid related. Even if I can't find what I want is always a good way to spend time and makes me feel good.
Saturday have not done much...a storm hit our country and it was raining all day. Watered some orchids, laundry, went out for a ride in the rain and to find a gardening warehouse closed (wanted to buy a wood baskets for my catt), studied math (as a hobby).... well, nothing really special.

[gngrhill]

Saturday this week was an accomplishment. I actually got all 120 watered all in the same day I usually divide it up among 2 days. I was excited to see some new buds coming and disappointed to see some still not doing anything . I see some repotting in my future, some look pretty broken down.
I have decided that lava rock is not for me. I have had to toss 2 this week because the roots just dried up and the leaves and PBs turned brown. All the guys in bark are doing ok. I do have a few I'm thinking of trying SH on if I can work up the courage

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I thought you went shopping for home suplies when I realized it was all about gardening.
To me, shopping, is always frustrating unless it's orchid related. Even if I can't find what I want is always a good way to spend time and makes me feel good.
Saturday have not done much...a storm hit our country and it was raining all day. Watered some orchids, laundry, went out for a ride in the rain and to find a gardening warehouse closed (wanted to buy a wood baskets for my catt), studied math (as a hobby).... well, nothing really special.

Actually, I was shopping mostly for other stuff. If the trip had anything to do with acquiring a new plant, I would have been having fun!

---------- Post added at 12:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:33 PM ----------

I have quite a few orchids not doing much of anything. I think that is why I have been mostly buying other plants again instead of orchids. Orchids take quite a bit of patience.

[No-Pro-mwa]

es I hope you get Neco adopted today. Your potatoes sound so good. I'm hungry.

I need to get to re-potting a few orchids also. I am never going to try lava I can't keep mine watered in bark. Still trying to see if I can drown some.