bloom Archives - Linda Nelson

A STORY AND A CACTUS THAT ARE BOTH SHORT AND SWEET

This little cactus bloomed for the very first time this past July. It is twenty years old. I’m certain of that because my son propagated it from seed that long ago. And, as I’m sure it would be no surprise to you, I’ve been taking care of it ever since.

It was one of those “Mom, I’m bored” afternoons. I suggested a little gardening activity, and off we drove to the garden center to purchase some seeds.

Fast forward to this past July…… ta-dah!

©Linda Nelson 2014

Fast forward to today…… ta-dah, again!

©Linda Nelson 2014

The end.

PHALAENOPSIS ORCHID REBLOOM

March 20, 2013

Have you ever purchased a phalaenopsis orchid or received one as a gift, but have never gotten it to rebloom? The one shown will be in its glory for the third consecutive year this April. Here are my tips for reblooming success –

When your phalaenopsis orchid drops its last bloom snip the entire stem off at its base from where the shoot first emerged.

Continue with your watering schedule, but incorporate a liquid fertilizer application about once a month. There are orchid specific fertilizers out there, but I have success with good old-fashioned Miracle Gro. Your orchid should send out a flowering shoot in about one year.

Hate to wait that long? Stagger your orchid purchases to one every three months until you have a total of four plants. Place the blooming one out for display while tending to the others in “waiting”.

Repot about every two or three years. I use a mix of sphagnum moss and orchid bark.

These particular orchids like bright light, though not direct sunlight, nor do they like soggy roots. With the right amount of light the leaves should be a light to medium shade of green. Dark green leaves indicate not enough light; very light green leaves with red undertones indicate light that is too strong.

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