Thursday 3 May 2018

Threatening Orchids


  I took these photos this morning, then visited Dinahmow's to discover that she's threatening orchids, too.  Hers are bound to be far more spectacular than the three here in Château DeVice, so consider this post a warm-up for the show at Dinah's!

The kitchen windowsill at Château DeVice

This tiny, pretty little orchid came from Waitrose a couple of months ago

This one was a gift from one of my cousins last year

And this blousy beauty showing off in the smallest room, I've had for years!
It's managed to survive two or three moves (I know I had it when I was with SP, and I may have had it before that) - one more to go before it equals Margaret 2.0's record (maysherestinpeace).  Its smaller, pink companion, gave up the ghost late last year (last seen here next to Prince Harry's underpants) 

  I don't know the names of these orchids - and I can't be arsed to find out - but I'm sure Dinah or Jon, The Official Plant-Spotter of Castlette DeVice and its Extensive Witchdom, may have some ideas...


24 comments:

  1. Orchids are among my favorite plants. I have three currently. Once they stop blooming, I can never get them to bloom again. Yours are stunning!!! Can I just come live with you?

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    1. Well, I don't have a spare room, so we'll have to top-n-tail. If that's ok with you, of course...

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    2. Hey, I'm easy...which and how ever you prefer. I'm just the guest after all.

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  2. Your long-lasting beauty is a Phalaenopsis. I recommend these to anyone just starting with orchids. And I'll come back later when it's daylight and look with better specs, but I think your little raspberry ripple one is also a Phal.The other? Sorry, don't know the variety.

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    1. Dinah - you beat me to it! I was going to suggest Phalaenopsis for both the pinky-purply ones. The bigger variety could be a Miltonia or a Colmanara, but it is difficult to make out all the details. Regardless, they're lovely. Jx

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    2. I don't think you'll need your specs to witness your blog taking over my sideboard, Dinah! Oh, and thank you for the identification.

      Same to you, Jon. About the identification, not the taking over my sideboard!

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  3. I was going to write something illuminating about orchids along the lines of wilt, difficult, and dead, but then I was distracted by the enormous pink balloons on your sideboard and had a fit of giggles. That Dinah, eh?!
    Sx

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    1. Indeed. She's a one, isn't she. And possibly even a two!

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  4. ...actually I really can't stop laughing I am almost hysterical with mirth at seeing the giant teddy and all the pink... Sid is staring at me now because of the sobbing sounds I am making...
    Imagine if Dinah did that every time she posted... maybe it's just my browser... I've got to go before I rupture something.... I haven't laughed so much in ages!
    SXXXX

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    1. It's not just your browser (I don't like typing or even looking at that word - it seems wrong) - Dinah's preview of her pink bits has turned into a can-be-seen-from-space spectacular!

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    2. I am no better today...and your comment has set me off again... even though I read it yesterday....
      I was going to also say that I really like the second orchid down because the petals look like they could have been printed with text.
      Sx

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    3. They do, don't they? I wonder what the text would say?

      Now that Dinah's pink bits have been put away, I hope you've managed to catch your breath?!

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  5. Your orchids are gorgeous! The two in the kitchen make a perfect, vibrant scene and are charming with the whimsical chicken figurine. Fantastic! The lovely pink one in the small room window is so lush and lively and stunning! What a beautiful color and spectacular shape! Orchids are the jewels of the plant world!

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    1. They are quite beautiful, aren't they?

      Well, until the flower show is over. The Phalaenopsis (thank you Dinahmow, Jon) in the smallest room is rather ugly before it blooms. Horrid silver-grey aerial roots like shrivelled elephant trunks writhe around those twisted, strap-like leaves, giving the whole thing an ugly Triffid-like vibe (thank you LẌ).

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  6. Came over from Scarls because of her comment about the BIG PINK here and now, well wow, she wasn't kidding! I love your orchids. I've never been able to get them to bloom again, but it could be a summertime issue here what with the AC and ceiling fans in the rooms were they usually lived. I might have to give them another chance this year. xoxox

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    1. I know! What's going on? Dinah's pink bits on view to all and sundry!

      As for the orchids, mine are kept pretty humid (at least in short bursts during the day) as they are near the kettle (kitchen) and shower (smallest room), which seems to suit them. Perhaps you could try moving yours and see how they do?

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  7. Given the venue, perhaps re-brand them as Triffids!

    "Damn it, Jim, I'm a doctor not a horticulturist!" Dr McCoy, Star Trek "The Troubles With Chromolaena odorata."

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    1. If only they were as good at keeping unwanted visitors at bay...

      I wonder if the Enterprise has any in it's arboretum?

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  8. I'm sure if browsers had been around in the 80s Vyvyan Bastard would have commented that they sound like 'blouses'.
    I always felt Prince Harry's pink pants were under-commented on, actually.
    This post is such a feast of different things anyway. Be careful of orchids as they're dangerous. I once saw an orchid grower in midsummer murders get murdered. Gorgeous tea pot and did you dust off the venetian blind for the photo?

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    1. I bet John Nettles is glad his surname is Nettles and not Orchids.

      Dusting? Ha! I have people to do that for me.

      Oh. Wait. No I don't. Which would explain all the dust...

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    2. I LOVE that tea pot. My tea pot is yellow, but oh! that blue-n-white!

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    3. One day, when I get a physical sideboard, rather than a blog sideboard, I'm going to get my Willow Pattern tea pot out. In fact, I'm going to get the whole set out!

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  9. As much as I adore the flowers, but what is under the chicken ?

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    1. A couple of tea strainers and something wrapped in kitchen roll that I'm reluctant to unwrap as whatever it is hasn't seen the light of day for years...

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Tickle my fancy, why don't you?