We had finished supper and the water for tea was on the gas...the doorbell went and there stood three visitors, each with a tall orchid plant wrapped with cellophane. They looked just like soldiers with houseplants instead of rifles. After singing a little song, they marched, single file into the house. O-M-G....what were these people up to!? I just love little get-togethers. I had a good look at the flowering plants and noticed that they had plenty of yet un-opened buds, and the flowers, themselves were rich and vibrant. I think that the cleverest thing was though, that ther decorative ribbons matched the colour of the flowers that they decorated. Very nice touch--I can really appreciate the little details. The orchids are all three Phalaenopsis...ja, and precicely what sort of this type they are, I wuill have to defer to Droopy. I have never kept orchids and so know nothing what-so-ever about their care.. Actually, I never thought they would do well in our house, because in the winter it is quite dry and hot inside. Ach, but never mind, I have them now and will give them a try. My partner took fotos of the three plants, and I would like to show them. Anyone that can identify these common types and wish to make comments about their care, please feel free to do so. I am always interested in folks that have had personal expoerience. I value that sort of information above anything I can find on the more esoteric sites on the internet.
The orchids are beautiful but I have no earthly idea how to care for them or what they are. Who were the people and why did they deposit orchids into your possession???? Could I get them to deposit three nice rose bushes on my doorstep? :-D
the first one looks like Phalaenopsis ankje but i wouldn't swear to it.I don,t know about the others. Phalaenopsis generally like to be quite warm apparently, no lower than 15c and not in drafts they look bright light but not direct sun, water when the roots are white or the potting medium is dry dependant on if you can see the roots or not, you have to be careful not to get water onto the crown as this will cause crown rot and too much water in the pot will lead to rotting of the roots, found out what was wrong with mine it had been allowed to get too cold and rot had set in on the leaves more than likely also as it had been watered incorrectly and there had been water on the leaves, we are in the process of trying to rescue him. I am sure someone can give you more specific advice than me I am just learning about orchids still and will be for years by the look of it
I'm NOT jealous. No not even a little bit. Honestly I'm really not. Of course I'm an absolute liar and am sitting here turning pea green!!!
How Sjoerd, I could be so lucky to find people at my door with such lovely gifts! I won't even attempt to help you as Orchids hate me I especially love the 3rd photo.
Hee hee hee...Eileen, you are a character! Thanks. Thanks for the tips, Playtime. I appreciate your compliments. Those greeks bearing gifts probably would refuse to deliver roses overseas. It's an old story isn't it? I've been trying to get a certain plum tree from England, but the businesses there absolutely refuse to ship across the channel to Holland. It could be on Dutch soil in an hour and I could even take the teain to the airport to pick it up. It's so frustrating.
Belated Happy Birthday, Sjoerd! (Taking a wild guess here.) Love your orchids, but I have no idea what their special names are. There are so many varieties of the Phalaenopsis, and I see new ones each time I visit the florist. You'll grow those without any problems, I'm certain of that. Good luck with'em.
Thanks Droopy. I shall tell them that you said for them to behave and perform as they should. p.s. Never mind the wild guesses.
They are beautiful plants Sjoerd.Whatever the occastion is.They are a wonderful gift.Is that what the glasses were from Sjoerd all the celebrating going on anyway first prize is in order
Oh Sjoerd, I should be so lucky to have visitors like that :-D Those orchids are beautiful. I do hope you manage to keep them ok, I am afraid my attempts have been unsuccessful
Thanks for the warm words. I will be disappointed if they perish on me. I shall do my best. Those galsses were from the cola, beer, wine water juice and of course coffer and then all the salty stuff and tart. There's a procedure one follows when he gets visitors. It a good custom, but it makes for lots of dishes to wash. hahaha It goes like this-- coffee/tea and something sweet...then cola or alcohol with salty things...then the harsy things (cooked saté, ground beef balls, etc)....then coffee/tea again and they go. It keeps the host hopping.
Orchids Happy birthday, Sjoerd and congratulations on your new plants. I'm currently raising a small Phal myself and try to read up on them. They don't want to be near a cold window, prefers middle of a room. I water mine every 2 weeks with water that has been out for 24 hrs. Then feed with 1/2 the recommended dose of orchid food the day after. (this from a very nice man in Greece who wrote a post on this) Then I ignore them. They seem to like that. I had blooms for 2 months and now it's growing a new leaf. I've also heard that if the orchid comes in sphagnum moss it should be transplanted into orchid bark. Sorry I don't know the specific names of the varieties. Enjoy!!
