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Thursday, May 10, 2012

An Orchid Story


It would have been a difficult thing to consider how actually I started having orchids in my garden. All of my orchids previously had been mostly rescued. 

The Aranchis species which never seemed to bloom. (I had finally decided to pass all of it to my friend -Eddie (the one who I went together for the Bonsai & Orchid Exhibition) 
The Necklace Orchid (Cymbidium finlaysoianum) found by the roadside in a bad shape (sliced & diced) Somehow all these had managed to survive well but at the price where they are never seemed to bloom.

Then my friends in my office started to dispose their overgrown orchids - Cattleyas & Dancing Ladies (Oncidium). I found more Oncidiums disposed along the roadside but truly in a very bad shape - all the backbulbs dried up and a 2 - 3 barely surviving water deprived bulbs. 
I did finally buy one orchid plant - Leopard Orchid (Grammatophyllum scriptum)

As I can remember - Eddie passed his first 2 specimen for me to start with (both had died due to my lack of skill in caring for them) But that didn't stop him from passing more from his collection.
I guess his motto was: Try until you get it.
And to that result - you now see more & more orchid plants hanging in my garden.
(I'm pretty sure he is laughing out aloud while reading this)
I'm guessing that it is his style of converting gardeners into orchid lovers.


Traditionally I would put all these orchids into a plastic or a clay pot and consider that settled. I must say that these are the ideas & the attribute of having a good orchid gardener friend - where ideas and style somehow gets adopted and exchanged. And so most of these are wrapped with coconut husk around a PVC pipe or a  branch. I wanted to press a little further and got one wrapped around a broken pottery.


Somehow it is very difficult to appreciate an orchid when they do not flower.
(Really - now, who would consider a plant with all boring looking leaves on a stick - the whole composition is such that it really an acquired taste in liking them)

And so the means of coming into terms in liking them is actually enjoying them when the do not flower.
(Yes - you heard me right - when they do not flower) That is enjoying the way the orchids trail their cascading roots and they way they descend with their stalks & bulbs and just how natural they tend to be as an  epiphyte (plants that grows upon another plant/trees and not based their roots on ground)

The best part of Epiphytes - I realised that it goes very well with my garden theme (Bromeliads, Ferns, Spanish Moss, Creeping Fig & Button orchids)

Its actually taking the chances - in stepping up in courage and try out new things. 
If a plant survive - then it is taken as a victory (after all its rescued - doomed to die) and if in any case didn't survive - well, its taken as a lesson learnt in managing the intensive care in reviving the plant.
And basically - one moves on from being lucky (in having an orchid plant) to an expert in handling one to bloom.

One thing for sure - these orchids just ever grow so slowly.
Most times - they just go dormant for months.
So there is a lot of patience that you have to handle.


I'm not sure whether it is true when they say that:
Once you get into the orchid craze - you are "infected" for life. 
Personally, I tried not be caught-up with the fever but somehow it just gets into your skin.
Especially something that is exotic such as these - who won't?


My very first Dancing Ladies flower stalk. 

22 comments:

Andrea said...

hahaha James, i thought you will be telling us a story of an orchid, it turned out you are enumerating all your orchids! You already have a lot and i would like to help you separate them, however i realize that would mean needing more space, oh that will be a problem. I haven't seen your reply when previously i suggested that you should buy the lot adjacent to you for expansion!

James David said...

Opps.. I guess I had published the pictures before managing to write the post along them.
That would be nice to receive your help - buying a lot adjacent to my expansion -
hmmm.. I'm still thinking about it..
hahahaaa...

MillFa Wild Orchid said...

planting an orchid was a big challenge. im also having the same problem. is not easy to get a perfect medium for growing them. i do a several medium to test their ability to grow, before i find the best for my orchid... so gud luck.....

James David said...

Hey! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Unknown said...

Good luck with your orchids. I used to have so many of them but no longer; dendrobium, vanda, phalanosis, aranda, cattleya, oncidium etc. I can't tke the ritual of fertilising, pesticide and fungicide spray before it reward you with their blooms. On top of this, the arranging, re-potting etc. It's just too much work.

Andrea said...

So i came back! I remember your posts years ago of orchids from the roadsides. I guess your area in Batu Caves is not as hot as KL and have higher RH too, so you are privileged to care for orchids. Maybe the saying you said is not right, as i have collections before but stopped now except for some neglect-tolerant ones! At sight i know if orchids are cared for or just been receiving only water, hahaha. I can make yours bloom faster and more prolific!

James David said...

Thanks for dropping by again & comments.
When you mentioned that you can help me to bloom faster and more prolific orchids.
Do share your experience -
Really looking forward for your tips.

James David said...

What happened to all of them.
Can anyone manage them without those heavy duty rituals?
Basically simple watering and very occasional checking and feeding?

Please share your experience.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Nice post on your orchids. You can't have just one, and before long you have a collection. I keep looking roadside to see if there are any thrown out. I've not found any orchids 'yet', but have found other plants and brought them home.

I have a vanda and a reed orchid that just grow happily in the gardens with me doing nothing with them. Then I have a few others that I've been given and one little one I bought.

I look forward to going back in your blog to read and see more of your little container garden area.

Thanks for sharing ~ FlowerLady Lorraine

Rosie@leavesnbloom said...

Well you certainly know how to keep them alive and bring them back from virtual death! Even as green foliage plants they fit into your garden so well and congratulations on getting your Oncidium to send out a flower spike!

James David said...

Thanks Lorraine for dropping by & sharing your thoughts on rescued plants.
I totally agree with you when you say about getting a collection. It happens.

James David said...

Practice makes perfect - Did I mentioned how many I had killed along the process.
Thanks for your compliment - really appreciate it.

Antonio said...

It has a very healthy plants, totally agree, once it comes out is difficult. Also is necessary to cultivate something important, patience ..

Antonio said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ron said...

Hi James. Thanks for visiting my blog. I wondered what "Garden Chronicles" was but see now that it is your blog, and a great blog, too. I really envy you the ability to grow orchids in your garden. We have to grow in greenhouses or under lights here.

Stephanie said...

Hi James! you have great passion for gardening and thanks for this honest sharing on your orchids. My aranda is reblooming but the last time the plant flowered was last April. I like the way you hung your orchids. I hope this method is better for your orchids in your garden and your orchids will bloom and grow faster. Have a great weekend!

Malay-Kadazan girl said...

I don't think I have the patience and skill to grow orchids. I always admire gardeners who grows orchids since I know it takes lots of dedication. Hopefully your orchids will bloom for you soon.

James David said...

Thanks Antonio - yes patience..
Needing lots of it.

James David said...

Have you tried Cymbidiums?
Came to know that they cold hardy and does very well in your climate.

James David said...

Your aranda reblooming just after 2 months.
That is so great!!

James David said...

Have you tried Cymbidiums?
Came to know that they cold hardy and does very well in your climate.
There are some types that you just plant them in a corner and just forget them.
I suggest go for the real hardy ones that you don't have to care so much.
And do plant the right type of orchids according to your climate.
Cymbidiums are at best in cold temperate areas.

Jacqueline said...

You're a great achiever, James... reviving so many plants! I like your new style of planting the orchids, using PVC pipes and coconut husks... maybe I should try this method too! ;-)

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My Malaysian Tropical Garden mainly focused on unique and colorful plants ranging from rare to common plants all around the tropical belt across the world. Ideal for inspiration for challenging areas in the garden space - indoor gardening, balcony gardening and small green spaces especially for ariods, bromeliads, begonias, edibles, cascading & vertical garden plants, succulents & cacti, orchids, together with both shade and sun loving plants.

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