Orchids and billbergia

We have good water in our area too. I collect the cold run-off at the kitchen sink in a 5 liter watering can and let it set until needed.

Oh, I've never sprayed mine nor fed them, don't think DiL has either.

Good link, Scotkat, easy to understand, too.

 

KG yes I found this article very interesting and thought others may like to read too.

How is your weather?

Still cold and frosty here.

 

Warmed up yesteday to over 10�°C in the daytime and didn't go below 7�°C in the night. Damp and very windy at times. Very unwintery!

 

10 is just a wee bit cosyier though as we were in America last week and we were nice and cosy.

 

I've noticed the the plants I see in garden centres seem to have a lot more healthy roots showing than mine. I'm trying to pluck up the courage to repot. Any advice?

 

My advice is that we all do as DiL does - leave the orchids alone except to water them a bit about once a month!!!

I asked her yesterday if she gives hers special orchid food, or any kind for that matter, and the answer is "no".

Same goes for repotting.

Everything in the garden centers are obviously tended to by folk there and raised by the growers, all under different conditions than in the home. They have their secrets, which they don't tell us, otherwise we would never buy a new plant and they would go out of business.

Sorry, I can't help you, terrier. I have no idea about orchids, I just copy what DiL does.

 

Good morning KG when I came back yesterday noticed leaves had dropped from orchid I bought early Dec from Dobbies to myself.

And the orchid I got as a birthday gift in March leaves are going yellow.

I so hope these orchids survive for me.

 

KG, Scotkat. Google burnham nurseries, they are a specialist Orchid nursery and you should be able to pick up a few tips.

 

Thankyou daitheplant.

 

Thanks for the link Dai. It seems there's an orchid festival this weekend just down the road from us. Thats my weekend entertainment sorted

 

Too far for me for me to come to see shame.

But we have a Burns supper on sat night.

Take plenty photos T.

 

Well, the orchid fest was fantastic! The displays were stunning and the people running it were really helpfull. I listened to two talks, one on repotting and the other on general care of the different types of orchids. I now feel like the uncaring owner of a vulnerable pet animal 'cos of all the things I'm doing 'wrong'.
The bad news is my digi camera needs a new battery, so no pics I'm afraid :( but if you see one of these events happening near you, whether you grow orchids or not, go and see an amazing spectacle.

 

Glad you enjoyed it terrier, and I had a chuckle about you now feeling like the uncaring owner ............ I would probably have felt the same.

Pity about the battery problem. Bet you are kicking yourself, I know how it is. So now I always have a second set in my handbag when we are out.

 

Terrier, if you ever get the chance visit the Burnham nursery, it is stunning.

 

That's on my list of places to see if I can just manage to get away for a holiday in South Devon.