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It’s Alive!

Earlier this summer I made the mistake of mounting my phalaenopsis orchid on a tree knot with sphagnum moss and hanging it on the curtain rod. It was okay for awhile, but I probably overwatered, underwatered and soaked it too long just to try to make it happy there. When it started to die I emailed a friend (hi, Carol!) and asked for help. She asked the type of orchid, which I hadn’t really thought about, and then told me probable causes for its impending demise (see above). Yeah.

My phalaenopsis earlier this year.
Phal in 2015

I didn’t really think about the different types of orchids before I bought that one. I think I got it at a big box store or the grocery store. I can’t remember. It didn’t bloom for several years until I moved it to the right window. I was so happy with it that I decided to “help” it even more. Bad move.

So, I’ve been reading and studying different types of orchids. I know all the things I did wrong now. I will try, try, try not to do any of them again. My poor phal died back to just a few living roots. Argh!

This is how I saved her.

New growth!
Phal loves her terrarium.

I put very damp sphagnum moss in a large candy jar that I wasn’t using any more. Then I just set the phal roots on top of the moss. Not down in the moss, just on top. I put plastic wrap on the opening so the lid wouldn’t rust and then the lid. Several weeks later the little Sal Phal has new growth! Look at those sweet little leaves shooting up from the roots! I’m so sorry, Sal, that I almost killed you. Thank you for coming back!

I have since bought a dendrobium aggragatum. I may eventually mount it on the wood knot that I once used for Sal. It is a totally different type of orchid. I will let it stay in the pot it is in till Spring, though. I can’t wait for those beautiful yellow blossoms to appear. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I am still studying my new babies and will keep you updated with my, and their, progress.

 

Stray Thoughts

I’m watching The Shannara Chronicles on Netflix. I’m three episodes in and liking it a lot. Anyone else into it?

Here is a Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar that my daughter found on my spicebush. Look at that little snakey face he’s trying to fool us with. Silly caterpillar.

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Isn’t he cute?

This is what they turn into. The picture doesn’t do it justice.

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This is the dainty little strand of jewels that a spider left me the other day from scarlet honeysuckle blossoms.

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This is how my Sophie likes to sleep if she can’t have her nose in the air conditioning vent. Please excuse the boxes. #corgisareweird

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August–Ugh.

August is looming like a vulture.

Ah, Tennessee in the summer. I hate Summer. It’s July 31st. August is looming like a vulture with its draining heat and humidity. UGH!!! Did I mention I hate Summer?
Vulture Silhouette clip art

I don’t get people who like heat. My family loves heat. I love Winter. I hibernate in Summer where there is air conditioning. I remember the days before air conditioning very well. We all stayed up until it cooled down enough to work, then we slept afterward and napped during the heat of the day. School started after Labor Day–with all the huge windows open.

Maybe that sleep schedule is what lead to my sleep disorders, or maybe my sleep disorders are why that crazy schedule worked for me. My dad also worked swing shifts of one week days, one week evenings, one week nights. We all tended to keep his schedule during Summer so the whole family got messed up. Dad also did a little sleep walking. Once, he, a VERY modest fellow, got up around midnight and, in his boxers, went to the well-house and was tinkering with the wires. He told us he was trying to fix the short in it. Mama got him to go back to bed. There actually was a short in the wiring. He had no memory of this the next day.

Anyway, my point is that it’s 9:00 AM Sunday morning and I’ve been awake since 8:30 AM Saturday morning. Not sleepy.