Another Orchid in Bloom!

That orchid that I mentioned in my last post, the one I was expecting to bloom soon? Well, here it is!! It was in bud yesterday afternoon when we (dear friends Kim, Carol and I) gathered for Bible study. The next time I noticed it was during dinner which was later than usual because Andy had to work late. Actually it was Andy who noticed it first since his customary seat faces the window area. This morning it is fully opened. Emily and I had to get used to this bloom to see the beauty in it but Andy loved its unusual shape and coloring immediately. Isn't God's creation amazing!

A New Orchid

I'm afraid I've become hooked on orchids. A while back, I told you that I was babysitting some orchids for an elderly friend from church. Well, he reclaimed the specimen pictured in that previous post but gave me the other three orchids I was tending for him. They are in my kitchen window area and I expect one of them to bloom soon. Then my dear friend, Kim, gave me a lovely pale pink one for my birthday. That one has since lost its blooms for the time being but last Friday, Emily and I attended a local orchid show and I acquired this elegant white orchid. I am finding that I love having some gorgeous flowers in bloom in my kitchen!

An Orchid of My Own!

As mentioned, I recently had a birthday. (I'm not saying which one.) I also mentioned in another post, the guests on my porch and how I might like to have an orchid of my very own. Well, a dear friend of mine was listening! Isn't this an elegant beauty! I love the pale pink, don't you? This one I'm keeping in the kitchen so I can see it for most of my day. Its been in my care for exactly one week tomorrow and so far so good.

A Guest on the Porch

This gorgeous plant is temporarily living on our screen porch. I am babysitting it and three orchid "siblings" that belong to a new friend of ours while he and his wife sort out their living arrangements. I have a number of houseplants of my own but no orchids. It feels a little overwhelming to have these plants entrusted to my care. But...I also am feeling like I might have a hard time giving them back. Well, not really. What I really mean is I may be asking for an orchid of my own the next time Andy or Emily asks what I want for my birthday or Christmas.

Meanwhile, I have taken out a couple of orchid books from the library. And I am asking you, my blogging friends, if any of you have orchids and, if you do, what book of basic orchid care do you recommend? Also what type of orchid do you suggest beginning with? Feel free to give me any other bits of information that you think I might need to know as well.