Orchids

lthough it seems that I am doing nothing but socializing and introspecting these days, I have also been spending some time alone and apart from my thoughts.  When life beckons, one must rouse oneself to answer the call.  What's been yearning for some attention are my poor orchids. The other weekend I made some time to tend to their poor, dried up and dull leaves and roots.

Have you noticed how easy it's become to get orchids over the past couple of years?  I was casually talking to my boss, who lamented about how orchids have now been so hybridized and inundated into the market that they are no longer "special," so he no longer buys them as gifts.

But I stil do! (My boss and I work on different budgets.) And I love to receive them as gifts! I now have a total of five plants: one from a co-worker, received two Christmases ago; one from Mrs. C, a birthday gift that she received but passed along; one thank-you gift from by bro and SIL, and two received as birthday presents a few months ago. Despite some bad previous experiences with orchids, they were doing really well -- up until about three weeks ago...

[orchids, shriveled]

...through no fault of my own, I assure you! They have been moved around a bit much, without my knowledge, mind, in an effort to find optimal conditions. Under the notion that orchids need a great deal of moisture, three of the orchids were put in the shower. That turned out to be too much moisture for them! I brought them outside and finally made some time to save whatever I could.  In cutting off dead leaves and dried roots, I discovered some mold (yuck!) but also that there was still some green at the very core.  I hope that means these plants are still salvageable.  I decided to re-pot them, take extra good care of them from here on out, and see what happens.

[orchids, shed]

[orchids, repotted]

The last orchid got put (by me) into a different bathroom (the one I use); (therefore)  it sits underneath the window and receives a nice amount of indirect light as well as some residual bathroom moisture, and is doing well, as you can see.

[orchid, thriving]

I am ever hopeful for new leaves and new sprays of phalaenopsis orchids in a year or two. But only time can tell what will become of all of these. Let's hope for the best!

Summer Projects: progress +

Summer's about halfway over and I've managed to put a small dent into my Summer Projects list.  Summer Picnic Club is going well; my tomato plant is being tended; I'm growing more herb cuttings; and my nails are going to be painted again tonight.  Setting up my craft corner and putting up art are going to be put on hold in favor of helping with my brother and SIL's living room... but I am still determined to complete the sewing projects.

[two champions]

[basil, lavender, mint; hang in there, rosemary!]

I've actually added some projects, too: on the crafty front -- a cross-stitch, already started; and a new knitting project to reduce some of my stash.

[x-stitch]

Reading: The Omnivore's Dilemma.  (Finished A Farewell to Arms in Kaua'i.  Sad, but I really liked it.)

And letter-writing.  I went through my postcard stash and found some that have gone unsent from as far back as 2000 -- the year I graduated university!  Yikes.

[unsent postcards]

I also have a bunch that were purchased when I studied abroad in England -- over 12 years ago! -- as well as a whole bunch I've picked up at museums and during travels over the past decade or so, and ones that I've received as gifts from Japan.  My goal is to write at least one postcard or letter each week -- and send it out, too.  Better get my inks out and start crackin'.

Garden corner

Just when you think I've only been in the kitchen: voila!  My new container corner in the garden.

[plants in mostly blue and white]

I commandeered an old folding chair from the garage and started moving plants and containers here and there for a tiered, layered look.  I turned the tray and a few planters upside-down to create more varied heights and show off all the colors.  I love how modular it is; lots of room to play around as fancy strikes.

[squash blossoms]

Over on the other side are Mrs. C's squash, in two planters.  They are doing fabulously well, and I can't wait to see the fruit appear.  This is my first time taking care of vegetables and I think it will be very gratifying (I don't even like squash)!

[succulents]

My succulents are thriving!  The jade plants used to be wrinkly, but just after a week or so they are plump and sprouting new leaves.  They get to bask in glorious sunlight for most of the day.  There are about eight different succulent varieties in this little four-inch pot, and I utterly adore them.  All but two come from cuttings.  They are sitting with Mrs. C's succulents in the terra-cotta section of the garden.

I've got great plans for this little space, especially as the weather continues to warm. 

Oh, how does your garden grow?