Orchid Challenge, the Rescued One!

This was only the second orchid I have ever owned and it was surrendered by my boss back in 2008. I boldly said I would get it to bloom because I had made one single other orchid bloom. Cocky, I know. But, it's part of the orchid challenge.

Well, two years later and some patient waiting the little orchid that could has come back from the brink to shoot up a modest little spike. I'm excited to see what the hell it actually is!

So, if you have been counting, it's exactly half of my orchids with promising blooms. If they hang in there an flower I will win! Which is sort of surprising because as of late, I have been a bad, bad plant person. Nothing like outright killing, but the worse slow neglect. I swear I will reform my ways...as soon as I have a weekend at home.

Bring on the Spring

By TheJenny, Guest Blogger


Spring has always been my favorite season. It's a glorious time to be outside. With the wonky temperature, spring started early this year, which is just fine by me. The evergreen clematis vine is blooming and looks like a thick white cloud clinging to the pergola. The flowers are simple and lovely and smell very faintly of jasmine. The golden-green leaves are unfurling on the barberry shrubs. The camellia we planted last year is blooming it big pure white blooms, so symmetrical and geometrically perfect.


On the first warmish sunny weekend in February, I hit the nursery along with the other plant nuts and spruced up the front yard. Among the plants I added were martinii euphorbia (my favorite), an orange flowered lovely for a ontainer, and a soon to be pink-flowered ground cover (myoporum) beneath a tree.

Bloomin' Crazy at the Sacramento Zoo

Yes, I work at the Sacramento Zoo - I think I've told you that before. Well a good portion of my plants have come from their Bloomin' Crazy Plant Fest on the first Saturday in March. Mainly my orchids because there are a couple of orchid clubs that are there. They are super helpful and have a great variety of plants for sale.

The African violet society had known the pleasure of my commerce as well as the vermiculture folks. Their worm castings are just fabulous on indoor plants. The Geranium club, lavender farm and a couple of other nurseries have also sucked me in over the years. And the rare fruit growers are just a treasure trove.

The nice thing is that they are honest. If you come across as someone who is going to kill their precious plant they will tell you. That helps me. I don't want to take something home when I know it will just slowly die.

So, come out on March 6th. I'll be there!

Orchid Challenge, Aussie Chip Buds

This little orchid came home with me last year, and it helping me reach my goal on the orchid challenge. It has grown so many new leaves that it became top heavy and I have had to cram it into a small pot just to keep it up right.

Some of the newer shoots are now sporting tiny spikes that are starting to form. We shall see how it does.

Orchid Challenge, Lady Slipper

By TheJenny, Guest Blogger


New Orchid coming! One of my favorite types Paphiopedilum or "Lady Slipper" orchid, or as I call them, the ugly pitcher plant orchid. The flower is purple and green and the petals are warty. It's quite fantastic. The blossom should be here in a month or so, I'll update with a picture when it blooms.

Orchid Challange, something's growing

To date, we have three takers on the orchid challenge and we all seem to be doing quite well!

This is what I call my spaceship orchid, or Epi. Green Hornet, lancifolium x cochleatum. It grew a new shoot this year, which I have not figured out is where the blooms come from. The old ones never bloom again.

The new shoot has a little something growing inside it! Hopefully this will translate into some blooms in the near future.

Saga of the Cymbidium

Oh, we have another taker on the orchid challenge!

By Guest Blogger, Marisa

Well my darling C has been living on my back patio under the patio cover quite contentedly for about 3 years now. It has very enthusiastically tripled in size and despite the first year of playing opossum, has bloomed gorgeously for the last two.

This year however, despite its seemingly sufficient protection, it fell prey to the deadly frost we had back in December. Imagine my dismay when I discovered the blackened and shriveled remains of at least four promising spikes, only just preparing to be showstopping beauties in February!

My C was not to be deterred however, and came roaring back with extra vigor to produce four healthy replacements to dazzle me. The first of its efforts is shown here, three more to open! I am a proud mother. Just wait until my mystery phaleonopsis opens. The crowing and photos to follow! (she says hopefully)