Watering and Caring for Orchids

I keep track on a calendar what days I water my orchids and try to do it twice a week. I still haven't made that big sale that I need in order to get myself and orchid reward. Just posted more ads on craigslist in the hopes of getting some new customers for my horse buggy parts. May post some new ads in other cities as these antique things are tough to sell. I am hoping someday in the far flung future to sell divisions of my orchids. I will most likely sell them on ebay just like the ones that are for sale here below. So far I feel I have gotten some great looking healthy orchids for great prices on there. I have been using miracle grow rough potting mix for my new orchids but still need to pickup a bag of Growstone at home depot as it just came in. Cattleya orchids prefer growstone over an all bark mix and I plan to mix the two.

My Favorite Orchid Reward

Whenever I make a sale or have some little success in life I like to reward myself with a new orchid. So the next orchid I plan on getting is the "Dick Smith Paradise Orchid" shown here. I have been working on making a sale of a buggy shaft - trying to get the measurements just right and although I have someone interested - I am not sure I am measuring it correctly. So back and forth it goes until I finally make a sale. I also have a few other things I am trying to sell - some large like real estate and some small like buggy parts. Sometimes it is really frustrating to push thru a sale and it can take days, weeks and months to get things done. Of course I have other rewards besides orchids in the interim but each orchid I look at earmarks to me something I have accomplished. Sort of like winning a prize. It gives me something to work towards besides just the attainment of wealth.

Chinese Orchid Pots and Oriental Orchid Planters

I just love the look of oriental planter, oriental cache pots and chinese jardiniere's for putting my orchids in. I search high and low for just the right look as I think it makes an elegant statement having orchids or any kind of flower displayed in an elegant pot on a bookshelf in front of a window or on a table near a window. Of course orchids do better outdoors in the humidity but I have yet to trust my orchids where I am now to hanging outside under the awning as we get very high winds during rain storms that could knock them right thru the window so I have not tried that yet. As I run out of room for my orchids that will be my next step to hang one outside to see how it does.

Purple Tri-Color Orchid

 Blc. Island Charm "Elizabeth"

I ordered a new tri-color dark and light purple and white orchid yesterday as a reward to myself for finally selling my horse carriage. Orchids are like eye candy without the calories that can last a lifetime if well taken care of. You can also replicate their beauty to share with friends by dividing them once they reach a certain size. You need to have at least 3 rhizomes or bulbs to create a new plant - 4 is even better. Of course you can also sell your newly created orchid plants on ebay as that is where I have been buying mine below. I have found some of the same orchids for sale from different sellers so be sure to shop around to get the best price. Also pay attention when comparing prices as to whether you are getting a near to blooming orchid or a seedling which can take anywhere from 2 to 3 years to bloom.

Oriental Cache Pots and Planters

I just got my new orchid in the mail and it is quite large w. a young bud already on it which is surprising considering it was only $20 with shipping included. I don't think I will have to wait a whole 2 years for this baby to bloom. I missed going to the flea market this wednesday so will probably go to the thrift shop to look for more oriental planters and cache pots. Amazon has a good deal on them online as you can see by my previous post. As soon as I find out if I am coming or going I will decide if I want to order another orchid. I have my favorites already saved to order from ebay below.

Where to Find Orchids

I have decided to go to the local flea and farmers market here at the Volusia County Fairgrounds every Wednesday to look for oriental cache pots and orchid planters. There is also a lady there that sells blooming Cattleya orchids for only $15. They are not very magnificent looking but the cheapest blooming orchids I have ever seen. I have not bought from her yet as I prefer to buy bright splashy orchid plants and wait the 2 years to see them bloom. I will just be checking to see if she has any impressive looking orchids each time I go there. She does have the more common phaleonopsis orchids without flowers for only $3 so I may buy some of those. I have also seen those types of orchids on the clearance racks at Lowes for $8. So remember when you go to your local Lowes and Home Depot to look at their clearance racks for plants. If you click below you may see some orchids at great prices that you may have a hankering to buy. I always save them to My Ebay wish list and get myself one as a treat every now and then.

Orchid Pots

I found a great Oriental Cache Pot at the local flea market and also another one at the Halifax Hospice donation center. When I get around to taking a picture of them I will upload them here. I have taken to going to garage sales and estate sales here locally to see if I can find more orchid pots. I don't actually pot my orchids in them - I just set the pot that my orchids are in - into them as the pots they are in are the plain green plastic or terracota clay kind and are not that attractive. I have found that a 5" oriental cache pot is the perfect size to set an orchid pot into that is in a smaller 4" pot. Of course you can get even smaller cache pots and place smaller potted orchids into them.

My Newest Orchid

 Blc. Hunabu Victory 'Brenda Havenor

I saved many orchids to my Ebay list and just bid on this cattleya orchid and got it for only $20 with shipping included. Be sure to check out the orchids below and save your favorites for when you decide to start buying new orchids. I have shopped around at local flea markets for bargains and although the prices were quite reasonable the orchids they offered were very dull looking in comparison to what else is out there so I decided I would rather get a younger orchid that would blossom into the type of flower that is very splashy and colorful. I like vibrant colors and multi-colored cattleya orchids myself.

Buying and Growing Orchids

I used to have orchids many years ago but traveled so much I didn't have time to take care of them.
Now that I am home a lot more I finally have some time to do that and I wanted to share my experience with buying and growing orchids. Here you will see listings for places to buy orchids as well.
I used to have about 4 orchids but only have 1 left because the others got little white mealy bugs on them and died. I was not around to stop that from happening. Now I have a room mate that can spray them when I'm away with insecticidal soap and wipe off the leaves if needed.
I also like to grow roses now that I have a new place to plant them on the other side of the pool.
I can see them from the bedroom so planted many rose bushes that I can keep an eye on.