For some years now, Mrs. P has been growing orchids. She considers herself just a beginner, though she has a couple dozen of the plants, which she simply grows on windowsills—no greenhouse, no special lights. (Some members of the local orchid society have a couple hundred plants and have built greenhouses and need to use hoses to water them.)
But when they bloom, these magnificent flowers bring something special to the home. And the blooms last a long time.
Recently, she was feeling a bit unsuccessful as a grower, thinking that she was wasting her time. Then, a couple of weeks ago, two plants sent out spikes and buds. One is a Paphiopedilium that blooms once a year, every year. The other is a Cattleya that she picked up at the orchid society’s auction two years ago and had never bloomed.
The Cattleya is the first to open. Patience has its rewards.
A fascinating thing about this flower is the tiny dot of water sitting at the tip of the inner edge of the upper sepal. (I know it’s a sepal only because I looked it up.)
In fact, there is a tiny trail of liquid on the inside of the sepal at the bottom right as well, which you might be able to see.
Simple evaporation caused by the temperature, sunlight, and humidity, just a bit of flower sweat?
Or tears of joy at being alive?
Words and pictures © 2009 AtHome Pilgrim.
All Rights Reserved.
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Comments
dicea, having just read some of your posts today, yes, I think you probably do. And thank you.
if you can get a macro shot of that drop of moisture on the sepal, Deven will be over here like a shot. She has this thing for water or dewdrops on flowers. :-D
Patience does indeed have its rewards. Rated.
Bill: I have a black thumb, so I don't do anything with the plants. If I come near them, they start screaming!
Beautiful post, Pilgrim. Rated.
Kirsty: They need lots of light. Mrs. P has them in south facing windows. And she's had more success with some species than others. Most of hers are Phalaenopsis; this was the first Cat to bloom for her.
Pen: Why thank you, sir.
Mary Ann: Ha! That's hilarious!
Chuck: Thanks for helping confirm my suspicion!