An Interesting Link

As all Alert Gardeners know, our planet's climate is a' changin'. We have all had to be much more alert than usual to these changes. Some plants that used to grow well in our yards don't anymore, and strangers are moving in! In the UK, alert gardeners are using the power of the Internet to actually map where orchids are growing, and where they are not. They are learning  a lot! Check out their website:

http://www.orchidobservers.org/

This seems like a real model for Citizen Gardeners to track what is happening out there. Is anyone trying anything like this in their neighborhood?

Paphiopedilum Blooms!

Yes, this was another orchid rescue. I confess, most of my orchids are rescue orchids because I had no confidence in myself as an orchid gardener. Therefore, if they did not bloom or thrive, well, it was better than dying, and I couldn't be too harsh with myself. Ironically, they have all thrived.

Paphiopedilums, or "Lady Slipper Orchids", are actually quite easy to grow indoors. Like Phals, they need more frequent watering, because they have no structures for water storage. They also like fairly low light. The blooms are singular and spectactular, and last for several weeks. The foliage is also lovely, so even if they are not blooming, they make a great indoor houseplant. They originated in Indonesia and are semiterrestrial, meaning they grow in pockets of humus, or on cliffs, or on trees, or whatever. Mine is in a medium-grade mix that includes clay pebbles; I water twice a week, and fertilize with orchid fertilizer every other week. Way cool plant!

Reminder: Tillie Watering TIme!

This is our storm season and we've really had some whoppers recently. Check out these clouds and double rainbows:

Double Rainbow, MRobb, USA, 2015

The two always seem to go together,  don't they?
And when it really rains outside, it's time to water my immense herd of Tillandsias. They just keep pupping!

Here are several of the ways I've done this over the years. The main point is to put them all, gently of course, in a bucket, cauldron, vat, or series of bowls, and place them lovingly out in the tempest for a few hours.

Then drain off the rainwater and keep it for later, and put your Tillies back on display. They need a good soak at least once a week, and they love rainwater most of all.

Above are a series of trays. These don't get too heavy after the rain. One tray is slotted and that makes it very easy to use- the rain drains off.

And here are a variety of buckets. Just don't try to lift the bigger buckets after the rain if you have a bad back, they get reeeallly heavy! I speak from bitter experience....
Have a wonderful weekend and hope your weather is photo-worthy!

Weekend Walkabout: Orchids in the Storm

This last week, I've been visiting with family. We've had some extremely weird cloud formations and storms here on the Family Sand Dune:

Cool, scary cloud....

Do you see a smiley face, sort of a demented Muppet in this one?? I kinda do....

This one's just pretty. My orchids are calmly blooming in all this:

The top is a Guartonia (so I am told), the bottom is a natural Phal, no dye! The Guartonia needs a lot more sun than the Phal, so they normally are not together, but for the portrait, I stuck them next to each other. Have a wonderful weekend!