My Love of Orchids
I attended one of my favorite events last weekend. The Jacksonville Orchid Society Show. I am not an orchid expert, that is why I attend events like this and read many orchid blogs.
Orchids now thrive in my care, but believe me, it wasn’t always this way….
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| An Instagram Photo taken last summer I titled, “Backyard Beauty” |
Loving Them to Death
I fell in love with Orchids many years ago…I would buy them at Home Depot or Lowes, bring them home, enjoy their beauty and then KILL THEM!
I couldn’t understand why??? My Mother-in-law Darlene could grow amazing orchids but I had no luck. She told me how easy they were, but…NOT for ME!
WHY…WHY…WHY???
Truth is, Orchids are EXTREMELY easy to GROW once you find WHERE they like to grow!
Location, Location, Location!
Each orchid type likes a certain living condition so I have spent years moving these babies around.
Most orchids only bloom once a year so it can take a while to determine where they thrive!
I’m finally starting to figure out where they like to live at my house. (2 years later..!)
Screened in Pool Enclosure = Orchid Oasis
In my neck of the woods, my screen enclosure, pool side, is an Orchid Oasis! Your results will differ from mine depending where you live in this great big WORLD. I live in Northeast Florda.
The screen provides enough UV protection so the orchids don’t burn during the harsh summer months. The pool water creates constant humidity which orchids love!
Placement within the screen enclosure has determined success as well. Trial and error as they say.
Phalaenopsis Orchids
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| source |
Location – Attached to house within screen enclosure:
This type of orchid enjoys the morning sun it receives at this location. It is then shaded, but in bright light, for the rest of the day. They are backed by our homes bricks, which provides heat trapped by the morning sun. This location is closest to the pool and their large leaves enjoy the humidity it provides. They bloom once or twice a year.
Location – Hanging within screen enclosure:
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| Wirat Blue Orchid |
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| Sharry Baby, Chocolate Oncidium |
These orchids enjoy the filtered sun all day long. The towering Oak trees provide slight shade throughout the day. Since they are hanging their roots get the needed air circulation to thrive. The best thing about these babies is they bloom many times during the year!
Tips I’ve Learned from the Experts
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Repot
Orchids bought from Home Improvement stores are fine but they are NOT potted properly! When they are finished blooming… repot them ASAP! There are tons of videos on the Internet to show you how to do this!
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Fertilize
I use Better-Gro mixed in a spray bottle. I spray the roots and leaves – but NEVER the blooms. I read this causes the spots on leaves.
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Don’t Over Water!
One of the expert orchid growers I spoke to last weekend said,
That is such a great rule to live by with Orchids.
One great tip my friend Melissa taught me is to water an indoor orchid with an ice cube. It gets a nice slow water as the ice cube melts.
Enjoy a Taste of Outside ~ Inside
I don’t have a place inside my home where orchids thrive, however when they bloom outside I often bring them inside for us to enjoy! The best part of an orchid is how long their blooms last! Often a month or so! AMAZING!
Newest Family Members
Here are the two orchids I bought last weekend!
Some Longtime Roommates
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| Birthday Present from Dear Friend and Teaching Partner, Julie |
Nature Never Ceases to Amaze Me!
I’m thrilled to be surrounded by such beauty!
Do you have a green thumb?
Any tips to share?
I’ve LOVE to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for Reading
xoxo
About The Author
sharon.kasica
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Leave A Comment
Unknown | 17th Mar 13
Your orchids are absolutely gorgeous!!! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 17th Mar 13
Thanks Jessica! With your flower expertise, that means a lot! Thanks for taking the time to come visit!
xoxo
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 18th Mar 13
Hi Kathy! Thanks for stopping by!
It took me a few years but I think I know what they like now. I think they are beautiful as well…I get so excited when I see a bloom forming! It's the little things….
I'll hop over and visit you now! Can't wait to see what you are up to!
xoxo
Jen | 18th Mar 13
You are soooo much more patient than I am! I tried for a while, but finally I became over empathetic and had to give them to my mom or cry for their loss…… Way to be patient!!!
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 18th Mar 13
Jen, I am thankful for people like you…how do you think I have so many orchids? : )
At least you can visit them at Mom's house!
xoxo
Kathy | 18th Mar 13
Hi Sharon! Wish I had your green thumb! The orchids are so beautiful! I have tried to grow them before but have had no luck. I found you via Classy Clutter link party and now an a follower. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
xxoo
Kathy http://pearlsinparadise.blogspot.com
Anonymous | 18th Mar 13
Blog hopping from TCM Monday Mingle – I like you, love them just can keep them… Enjoy the rest of your week!
Barb @ A Life in Balance | 18th Mar 13
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your success and tips with Motivation Monday. One of my favorite exhibits at our local garden is the Orchid Extravaganza. I go crazy taking pictures every time!
Debbie @DewdropGables | 19th Mar 13
I love orchids, have one (yes, only one, sad) and it likes our home. Beautiful pictures of yours!
Saw you sharing at the Spring Fling Linky Party.
Debbie 🙂
Paula Kiger | 19th Mar 13
Your orchids are looking incredible!! It's funny I read this because I was visiting my mom (near Gainesville) last weekend after running the Gate River Run and she was so excited to show me HER orchid! It was really pretty and got a lot of likes/comments on Instagram!
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 19th Mar 13
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 19th Mar 13
I know Barb! Orchids have the most unique flowers! That must be why it takes a year for some of them to re-bloom! I love Monday Motivation! Thanks for hosting!
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 19th Mar 13
Thanks Debbie! Glad you stopped by to take a look! You'll have to treat yourself to another soon!
xoxo
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 19th Mar 13
Hi Paula! I know just how your Mom feels…I drag my husband around to show him where one is just getting a spike to bloom…he's a good sport about it! The flowers are so beautiful you get so excited when they bloom!
Congrats on the river run! That is in my neck of the woods. I did it last year and skipped this one…plan to try for next year! : )
xoxo
Karren Haller | 19th Mar 13
These are very well cared for orchids, they could not be happier. Thanks for sharing Miniature Fairy Houses WW w/Linky
Paula | 20th Mar 13
Glad you figured out the trick! My grandmother always had violets, so I tried keeping some and none of them lasted very long. I'd guess I had them in a bad location.
Happy WW and thanks for linking up 🙂
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 20th Mar 13
Thank you for the compliments Karren!
xoxo
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 20th Mar 13
I LOVE WW! Thanks for hosting!
Awww, My Nana grew violets as well. They were amazing! Violets like to live inside on a windowsill that gets early (east) or late (west)sun. Maybe that should be another post… : )
Thanks for popping over Paula!
xoxo
Annie | 21st Mar 13
Your orchids are beautiful! I love the flower too, but I just keep killing them. Looks like I cannot find a good place for them in our house, I think I need to try outside!
Eclectic Red Barn | 21st Mar 13
Sharon,
Your orchids are fabulous. I have a few that I grow here in Florida. Mine don't bloom as spectacular as your but when they do, I love them.
I am your newest follower.
Have a great day,
Bev
@http://eclecticredbarn.blogspot.com
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 21st Mar 13
Annie try outside! Mine will NOT grow inside! I just bring them in to enjoy when they are flowering. It will make your heart SING when they rebloom!
xoxo
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 21st Mar 13
Hi Bev! Yea! So glad you are following me! Makes my night!!
It is amazing how happy they make me when they bloom! I have a few with sprouting bubs now that I keep stalking…
Try the fertilizer I recommended. I mist them with that from Spring until Fall. (Especially when they are blooming) Maybe that will help your flowers.
I think some of mine are so amazing because I get them at the orchid shows. They offer a healthier grown plant from the start.
Good Luck & keep me posted!
xoxo
Unknown | 27th Mar 13
I'm totally impressed! I kill orchids as fast I as I get them.:( There are some really awesome tips in here. Thank you for sharing! I'll be featuring this post at my party Link It Up Thursday that starts tomorrow evening. Thanks so much for partying with me last week, hope to see you again this week.:)
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 27th Mar 13
Well Kadie, You just made my day!! I love your blog, Seven Alive, so excited to be featured tonight!
Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Heidi@OneCreativeMommy.com | 30th Mar 13
Wow! Your orchids are beautiful. I love the yellow, orange, and white. Growing orchids has always sounded so intimidating to me, but you do a beautiful job. Thanks for visiting me at OneCreativeMommy.com!
Unknown | 11th Apr 13
Your orchids are beautiful. I love all of them. I'm fond of gardening too.
I'm not sure whether you've tried planting orchid using coconut coir instead of using pot.
I've seen my uncle doing this; & it grow very pretty too.
Fresh Juniper | 11th Apr 13
Hi,
Visiting from Sew Crafty Angel. You have the master touch with those lovely orchids. New follower here! I hope you come visit some time. I need followers too:) Have a great weekend!
http://freshjuniper.blogspot.com
Reecea
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 11th Apr 13
Thanks Heidi! It's not as intimidating as it seems, I promise!
xoxo
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 11th Apr 13
I have never heard of coconut coir Marge, but I will check it out!
Thanks for the tip! (and for taking a look!)
xoxo
Unknown | 15th Apr 13
Hi Sharon,
wow, beautiful. I love orchids but could not grow one if my life depended on it. Thanks for sharing at my link party. Hope you will join us again next week also.
Angel @ sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 15th Apr 13
Thanks Reecea! I'm so glad you visited. I'll return the favor!!
xoxo
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 15th Apr 13
You could Angel…I promise. I ignore them most of the time!!
Thanks for hosting!
Have a wonderful week!
xoxo
Sew Can Do | 16th Apr 13
These are so impressive! I never have much luck, but I didn't know any of those tips so thank you. Thanks for sharing this and linking to the Craftastic Monday party at Sew Can Do!
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 19th Apr 13
Try them again…in a different place and re-pot AS SOON as they stop blooming! I'm going to post a video on how to re-pot soon…be on the look out!
I promise once you find a spot they like, they will flourish for you!!
xoxo
Judith @ Lavender Cottage | 30th May 13
You have a lovely orchid collection.
Judy at GoldCountryCottage | 30th May 13
Your orchids are just beautiful. I always thought they would be hard to grow so never tried them. Maybe I will again..Happy Wednesday..Judy
Fishtail Cottage | 2nd Jun 13
you make it looks so easy to grow orchids – I don't even want to show you a photo of mine! the stem keeps getting more yellow! ugh…appreciate you sharing your gorgeous collection of orchids at this weeks garden party! xoxo, tracie
Stampin' VMG206 | 10th Jun 13
Awesome post! I so do not have a green thumb :< I've killed my share of orchids and I've given up. But, I will keep these tips in mind in case I end up with one again sometime.
Visiting from DIY Showoff.
~ Megin of VMG206
Join me Sun-Fri for DIY Showcase Link Party
Crystal | 21st Jun 13
Awesome post! Would love to have you link this up at our summer-themed, Ladies Only Blog Share! Visiting from the Pity Party!
http://mommifried.com/ladies-only-blog-share-link-party-funtastical-summer/
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 21st Jun 13
Thanks Crystal! I'll hop over and join the party!
xoxo
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 21st Jun 13
Yellow usually means too much water and/or not enough light. Try moving it!
Thanks for looking! I am amazed at the beautiful flowers I see at Fishtail Cottage!
xoxo
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 21st Jun 13
Thank you! : ) They make me happy when they bloom!
xoxo
Michelle | 22nd Jun 13
I am the worst with plants. The only thing I seem to do well with is tomatoes and basil! Go figure! Your orchids look beautiful! Visiting from the Ladies Only Blog Share – thanks for linking up with us!
Anonymous | 27th Jun 13
Got my first orchid in April. What causes dark spots on the leaves?. Sounds like you sure know what you are doing
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 27th Jun 13
Spots on the leaves usually means one of two things.
#1 – It may have leaf rot caused by a fungus which is harmful to the plant. I water my plants and then shake off excess water to prevent water laying on the leaf for too long.
#2 It may be caused from the sun, which will not harm the plant. I have moved some of my orchids that were getting full sun in my screen enclosure because they were getting spots on the leaves. Now they are not blooming as often so I am going to move them back where they seem to thrive even though they have some spots on their leaves. Trial and error, they say : )
Here is a great article with pictures that may help you determine treatment.
Good Luck!!
http://www.staugorchidsociety.org/culturepests-diseases.htm
Holly | 28th Jun 13
Hi Sharon – Great advice. I have 3 orchids and I use the ice cube method. Still need to figure out where in the house the like the best. Hugs, Holly
http://coconutheadsurvivalguide.com/blog/
Mandy | 5th Sep 13
I am super jealous of your orchid setup, I need to get something like that for mine! 🙂
Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 5th Sep 13
Are you talking about how we hang them on the house? If yes…my hubby makes them! They are fantastic! I've been telling him I think we should sell them…what do you think?