Orchids for Christmas

These bloomed few days just before Christmas.
Something that is considered a Christmas Miracle - that is when it comes to my garden. It had been so many years this plant was surviving, more likely if I was ambitious, I would put in some extra effort in adding fertilisers on them but learned my lesson previously with some dead & burnt orchid plants.

I would say, the key to this success is patience, and that is something which no one can actually anticipate the first bloom. Regardless, there are some tips I would like to offer in my observance based on this experience:

1) When I first planted this orchid, I used the matured spend-flowered psedo-bulb stalks of which new bulbs had formed. Do make sure that they stand upright.
Those which ascend have a higher chances of blooming compared to the descended ones.

2) Once the 2 leaflet formed the flower stalk shoot out from here,
(this is where the anticipation grows as you have to be watchful as it the blooms may any time without any warning signs)
This all happens within the morning.

3) There is another secret to the flowering. I'm not sure whether its by chances or the fact of putting the "ikan bilis" dried anchovies had caused the blooming. So, if you do get the chance upon throwing away those "heads & insides" of the dried anchovies - do put them in the flower put and anticipate a lovely surprise.

4) There were 2 blooms. The first one lasted about a week, I had managed to hand pollinate the other flower and it had lasted for another week but the flower didn't manage to turn into a fruit as it had fallen off from the stalk. Probably it would be more successful if I had pollinate it much earlier.

These are the follow-up from the beginning of this plant : Cattleya Orchid - Part 1

(Other notes from past months)
New shoots had sprouted after putting some organic fertiliser (which I put on them once a month) I put it used tea leaves weekly - topping it on the flower pot. I got this plant from my office mate. She gave me 3 matured bulb and from there new shoots had arrived.

I'm been very cautious about watering this particular one as the roots are buried inside the pot, it would be better to see the roots being exposed outside the pot but I guess that is going to take years to happen as the plant is very happy to "dip & dig" inside the pot.

Its not Botanic but Blotanical.

Sometimes after awhile setting & had settled with all the post and garden stories, I wondered what other gardeners are doing. I had "googled" and viewed few gardeners and also commented on their garden but realised that most probably the other gardener view & update their blog once or twice a month or much lesser than that. (or probably its a dead blog)

Then I found that there are a community of gardeners who meet in cyberspace where they do chat & discuss garden matters and get comments interacting with each other.
This place is Blotanical.

I found instantly many gardener friends who are so enthusiastic about getting to know about me & what I garden. I get to know about gardens which I'm familiar like the tropical ones & those which are totally new for me like the temperate climatic ones.
This is where the reality of "one man's weed is another man's garden - you can literally see it here - what people garden.

But getting to start it isn't easy - not for me.

I had first had tough times getting my blog in the list as its requires that the loading the blog detail from firefox. Then the navigation was quite confusing for me and often times my PC hangs and I have to reboot again & again.
So much so, I had put Blotanical on hold as its too much for me. I reasoned that it must be for the experts and I have decided to focus just on my blog.

Then after awhile, when time permits I started to experiment and discover new things in Blotanical. I had decided just login and see & view and do what I can. Slowly but surely I got familiar with it and just know where to go & what to do.

Those those who find it hard like me, don't worry - you will get used to it - just log in and check on each new features. Sometimes I have forgotten where the feature was and it took all over again to discover again.

These are some of the tips which I have learned over time.
It may help a bit and make easier for new comers. Most of the information and setting can be found in the HELP section, I just want to emphasise few things here.

1) Select your favourite blog and fave them.
Actually this is the most difficult part.
Why I say this?
Its because I have received a lot of welcome from many members but later some of them, become impersonal and not relatable. (after commenting or picking on the post)

So, if you are faving anyone, do take in mind that its just temporary.
Keep in consideration that its ok even if you choose to "unfave" certain blogs or blotanist after some trial period.

Some blotanist do return the kindness (by returning the favour by "faving" you) when you "fave" them but do not expect this to happen to all of the blotanist. Most of them will leave a thank you note.

I would seriously consider when a blotanist do not appreciate the kindness when a blog is faved. Its not the thank you that I'm seeking rather its the response that its important.
Why continue the fave when there is no response?
Better give it to someone who is more relatable and responsive. Of course given the benefit of doubt - do give more time & see if they respond to you.

Once you selected the "Fave"s the list will automatically load into the pick section on the "My Faved Blog Posts". (saves you the time to go one by one to check on the blog from your main plot)

2) What happens next? - The Pick section.

Ok, once the fave is done, do go the pick section - this is where most of the activity takes place.
Click on "Picks" then look for the righthand side corner & you will find the "My Faved Blog Posts" Here you can easily read all your "faved" latest updated gardener's stories & pick the post.

Again, if you go to the section next to it: "My post" you can find who had picked on the post and that would give you the opportunity to visit the blotanist who had picked and you may message them to thank them.

When the pick count reaches 16, it would appear on the mainboard where all the blotanist can view & read the best post for the week based on the majority of picks counted by from the "faved blog".

4) What do you want from Blotanical?
(some website ask this question before getting anyone in)

This is the most important question one have to ask before getting signed up and later getting bitter or disappointed. The purpose & the motive is very much important as this will determine the satisfaction in being a blotanist.

I for one want a relate-able, responsive gardener who would share their thoughts and comments with me concerning my garden and versa visa concerning their garden stories.

There are those who are totally dedicated to Blotanical in being faithfully following on the picks and reading at least about 20 blogs a day and selecting "pick" on them. Doing so will create the connection with the gardener's blog where communication is open.

I did many times go the the "200 Most Faved Blog Posts" and manage to pick & comment on them. These I would do so when I have the time. Again, after reading about 10 blogs or so from the screen - I just become tired. Some return the favour by thanking me in my comment box for visiting their blog and that's another new friend being created through gardening.

Not all people have the time, I for one visit Blotanical like 2 or 3 times in a week & may spend less than an hour updating comments, picks and thanking them. So, its a little tedious to have a high expectation when it comes to the system.

The most important thing is not getting all the points
and reach that goal of "Guru status"
rather its all the gardener friends you will able to meet,
visit all those lovely garden and say, "
Ohhh's!! & Ahhh's!"
To share the joys in the harvest,
re-living each season (though its all summer in the tropical)
and to give some & get some encouragement & support.
In being familiar with someone's garden,
knowing that gardener's favourite plant, flower & fruit.

To know that this person is having snow & that person is living in the desert
and all that is available at the finger tips when you sign in for Blotanical.
Do click here for Blotanical.


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This is my supposed Hibiscus plant which I wanted to convert it to a bonsai. It did well for few years but I have decided not to trim or prune it. Just after few months the first flower bloomed.
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I would like to dedicate this to Blotanical.
Sometimes, it takes very long to do something, but when its been keep at it, one day you will reap its reward.
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Thanks you all those who are close to me in Blotanical, for all the wonderful comments and thoughts, gardening is so much easier with all of you around.
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Blessed Christmas & A Wonderful New Year!
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Something about Roses & Awards

I would like to thank Pravesh, Noelle & Autumn Belle for passing this Award to me. I really appreciate the thoughtfulness and the kindness in considering me in the list. Sorry for the delay in putting it here, I have been very busy and unable to blog these few days.
(do click on their names for their wonderful blogs)

Now what are the rules... Hmmm...
Ok, I guess this award is going to sit here for the moment.
Not that none of other blogs are not the best or my favourite, but I just felt that many who I want to pass this to had already receive it and those who haven't are either not interested or not comfortable with the idea of "awards"

I would say, all of the garden blogs are special on their own way, in the effort gardeners take the trouble to put it the information, pictures and time into it. I for one would consider time well spend in my garden than sitting surfing the blog, but I guess blogging & gardening go hand in hand.

These are what I consider what makes a nice blog a best blog - something which I feel in my own personal way & have no intention to hurt anyone.

1) LANGUAGE
It all depends what you sow...
Do you sow thorns & thistle?
Do you like weed growing in your garden?

So are words, I often refrain from those who are arrogant and prideful.
When I'm very sure (like 100% sure) about my facts - I often suggest it in way like using words like "I'm guessing" or "Maybe" in my comments. Some bloggers do not like when I mention that they may be mistaken and the whole thing becomes ugly.

When a gardener do accept and acknowledges that you're comment are true - you will feel that the flower that they have planted in their garden had bloom in your garden.
That what a comment does - connection.

But my point here is this, you will know what type of gardener the person is by the way the person speaks. It don't have to be all "rosy & dovely" - as long as its truth and not overly exaggerated undeserving compliment, its fine.
I'm sure you would feel its a bit too much when a praise is given more than its due. You will know that is actually a lie.

2) COURTESY

What do you do when you visit someone's private garden?
Its a condition where you are given a free right to see all that is shown, all that had been shared concerning the energy and effort put in the garden.
What is requested is to let the gardener just know - How you feel about his/her garden?
This you can see what a gardener/blogger mention when commenting in their comment box.

So, in return to the courtesy, one gardener would say,
"Hey, I got that plant,
I thought about this plant,
what do you when you got this plant,
nice plant or
my plant died becoz..."

Its also the same courtesy received and honoured by visiting the commentor's garden and say,
"Hey, you got a nice garden,
I know that plant,
ohh.. its snowing in your place already?"

Its nice to leave more than just one comment in the visitor's blog. I for one, try to relate as possible in the visitor's blog. Sometimes, the post are just too difficult to relate to, then just write what you can relate to the next older post.

I have seen some bloggers have about 30 - 50 comments and really wonder how they manage to read and visit each one of them. I guess there is a strategy involved when it comes to comments.
I for sure would consider a best policy to visit the commentor's blogs and thank them for visiting & commenting in my garden.
Then later, go back to the blog and see if the author had re-commented on your comment.
That would be nice, to hear the visitor acknowledge your visit and the cycle goes continues.

Again, this is an issue of availability of time spend in blogging. Sometimes you have the time, sometimes you just don't. You can and may able to handle 10 - 15 blogs, I myself still find it hard to manage my own blog, left alone keeping-up with other gardener's garden stories & commenting on it may be quite a challenge.

And again, with the availability of that time - you wonder whether do you want to spend it in blogging or water the garden?

At the end of the day, its the Garden that you tend that matters.
The result of that is what one post in the blog. It becomes a two way thing, creating a support factor, connecting to all other gardeners around the world.

Better to 10 best gardener friends who really support you than 100 strangers who have no clue about your garden and the personality behind it.


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Finally...
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3) APPRECIATION
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A simple thank you goes a very long way, actually for many seasons.
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I would like to thank all my gardener friends who have continually had supported me in my garden works, encouraged me and often times gave good advices when comes to certain issue on garden.

Thank you for reading and helping me to improve & that I'm constantly learning new things about garden and all from all your blogs.


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Please note that I will be on a long holiday by next week and may not able to comment much or visit your garden, please do excuse me for my absence.
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Have a Wonderful Christmas & a Blessed New Year!
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I know its a bit to early for that, but I'm guessing my time is so limited that I may not able to send that greeting by then and its all too late and all forgotten.