on me winda sill!"

Lovely.

thanks, Gt... there is one of my mini saintpaulias in this pic too...I understand completely why your lovely grouped mini's are a treasure to you... I take care of mine even before my orchids.

Definately. Mine is just never trimmed, its become a colony from the one spreading. It is still all central for now. The mini doesn't mind offshoots. It doesn't mind more bloom.

For a while I had them grouped (still in their thimble pots) inside a small aq.... they seemed very happy there through the winter...but my kitchen window sill seems like their fav. spot...they bloom well there!

Let them stay exactly where they are Lori. They look so happy on that sill!!

Lori:

They are very beautiful...are they Phalaenopsis hybirds?

Thanks Terry...found any calceolaria yet? I'm hoping our spring weather has finally arrived, it was very warm yesterday...in the 80's F., but today it's back down into the 50's and raining... so they stay on the window sill a while longer...after the 24th May I will put them out into the shade house along with the orchids...
Yes, D1...They are very plentiful in the stores now... I've been collecting them and gifting them...they are wonderful plants.

Lori:

Thanks for the info.

Yes, they are wonderful plants and pretty easy to grow. I think the reason why they are so popular is that they bloom for such a long period of time.

I have an old pic of my first orchid (white) in it's second flush of blossom. That spike lasted for 6 months!! and you are so right...that was what made me decide to get into the Phals. lol.

Lori:

Yes, Phalaenopsis is my second favorite because of the long blooming time. However, Cattleya orchids are my favorite...because of the fragrance.
I have posted several photos of Cattleya orchids in the past. They grow many hybrids at the San Diego Zoo amongst the large Ficus trees, which usually bloom in the Summer...if I'm not mistaken. I think some may bloom in Winter also.

I'm sure there are many cattleya's I didn't realize that they were scented...to me, scent is the best reason for having a given plant or var. of plant... I would like to find a vanilla orchid...

Lori:

I want to grow the vanilla orchid also.

There's a chocolate orchid which I've been wanting to buy for a long time. It...of course, doesn't produce chocolate, it just smells like chocolate. I've posted photos of this orchid in the past. I don't remember the genus or species name of this orchid though.

http://www.worldcocoafoundation.org/tree-to-table/growing.asp
Have you ever thought of growing cacao? is the climate of California suitable? apparently you can have pods on your plants after three or four years!!

Lori:

I have never seen one growing here...I don't like making definitive statements because I'm always proven wrong. However, with that being said, I would think it would be very difficult to grow here...as Cacoa is ultra-tropical being native to a very humid, wet climate.

Ah well... hope you find your chocolate scented orchid!

Lori:

There are many orchids available all year here. I saw yesterday at the grocery store large Phalaenopsis hybrids for sale for only $12.00.

Oh my! that's a good price...were the colours nice? best deal I ever got on a Phal...was my very first one...it was $10.!!! The average these days is $16 or $17. mentioned before that I saw the Cymbids at Walmart for $28. They looked like they had been exposed to the cold...so I decided to pass... I may regret it...but I"m obsessed with this move...and the last thing I need is more plants to pack up!! lol. I'm looking for Sweet Autumn Clematis, Jacaranda, Gesneria, and New Dawn climbing roses...the list is so long...did I mention that I'm moving? LOL. grrr.

Lori:

Yes, they were large orchids in colors: purple, yellow, white from what I remember. It sounds so strange to hear of Cymbidiums for $28.00...as this
is the plant most people get for free from neighbors or friends...because of the commoness.

Good luck finding your plants!

I'm going to ask my neighbor 3 doors down the street, if I can take photos of their Epidendrum orchids -- they have them planted all along the side of their house in several colors. They're planted as an informal hedge.

OMG!! an informal ORCHID hedge? yes..will be looking for the pics! Great!

Lori:

It's not that unusual for Epidendrum orchids to be used as an informal hedge.
I also have some photos of this orchid being used as a shrub.