Garden Photo of the Day

A Perfect Addition to the Gray of Winter

Orchids brighten the darkest days

close up of bright orange orchid

Today Gail Bromer is sharing a method to brighten up the winter months.

I started to collect orchids 30 years ago and still have several plants from those early years. I am a survival-of-the-fittest collector and don’t know most of their names, but I love to have their color, particularly during winter. Various orchids bloom throughout the year. Orchids bloom for long periods of time. I have one blooming now that was a gift in June and is still going strong.

When we bought our new home seven years ago, we built in a plant area. I have a 10-foot window that faces southwest. It may not be a perfect light situation, but it’s what I have available. I water once a week and turn the heat down to 65° overnight in the winter. In the summer all the plants go outside onto a covered deck.

If you’ll let me, I’ll share some of my pictures without identifying them. I urge everyone to bring orchids home and enjoy their long bloom time. These days you can buy an orchid for the same price as cut flowers at the supermarket. Or you can search out your specialty grower and enjoy something a little more unusual.

various potted orchids in front of a windowThese are blooming today.

close up of bright orange orchidThis plant is 25 years old. I gave it to my father-in-law as a gift, and he returned it to me when he didn’t have any luck getting it to rebloom.

close up of light purple orchidThis is my 30-year-old plant.

close up of large white and pink orchid blooms Phalaenopsis are readily available at the supermarket.

close up of orchid with white flowers that have green and purple detailsI love the shape of these.

close up of light pink orchidAren’t these lovely?

close up of bright purple orchidAnother unusual shape.

close up of orchid with multicolored flowersThis was a supermarket find.

close up of bright orange and yellow orchid flowersThese bloom in the fall and complement the autumn colors of the leaves outside.

a portion of this indoor orchid collectionOne last cluster of blooms from last February

 

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Comments

  1. gardendevas 01/23/2023

    How glorious, Gail! I received my first orchid as a generous gift from my daughter twenty-six years ago, and also became enchanted by them. I lost many when we moved to our current home, but am finally able to grow them again with the addition of dedicated grow lights. Thank you for sharing!

  2. User avater
    bdowen 01/23/2023

    What a beautiful winter garden!

  3. sheila_schultz 01/23/2023

    What an amazing collection of healthy plants and drool worthy blooms! You have apparently found the perfect locations for beautiful orchids. Wow!

  4. User avater
    simplesue 01/23/2023

    Wow your 25 years old Orange Orchid is stunning! You sure know what you're doing, you've had a lot of success with Orchids!

  5. btucker9675 01/23/2023

    Stunning!! I never have had success getting to rebloom so gave up... now you have tempted me to try again!

  6. User avater
    vanhatalosuomi 01/23/2023

    A feast for the eyes! Thank you so much for sharing !

  7. User avater
    treasuresmom 01/23/2023

    Beautiful flowers!

  8. jos29803 01/24/2023

    Now I see why people grow orchids. Beautiful and such variety.

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