Unseasonably cool weather has orchids popping in our back yard. This cattleya hasn't had a bloom since we bought it at an orchid show 5 or 6 years ago. What did we do right this year?
We're still learning. Maybe it's the weather. All of our orchids live outside. We live in central Florida. It's a good place to grow orchids. Lc. Evirett Dirkson is the name of this purple beauty and its scent is as beautiful as it's appearance. We may have been a bit more steady with the fertilizer this year. I try to remember the 'weakly/weekly' rule. That means to dilute your orchid fertilizer by 1/4th and water once a week with it.
Orchids can be found on every continent on Earth with the exception of Antarctica. There is at least one that will thrive where you live. Contact a local nursery/florist and ask for native orchids. You just have to try not to kill it :-) Generally, no direct sunlight, and don't overwater! Overwatering kills most gift orchid plants.
This is our ever-blooming valentine orchid. I gave it to Wayne on 2/14/2011. It looks like it will still be in bloom through Thanksgiving!
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