Gloves, a handheld fork, and trowel, like the ones in this free jigsaw, are the minimum requirements for any budding gardener. These tools allow the gardener to tend to flower beds, planting new plants and maintain growing ones.
Mine's almost at that point also Elijah and I'm not handling it too well. Gardening is one of my most favorite things to do and I'm not a happy camper about it lol! Seriously I can't really do much in my garden anymore, so I've moved it in doors...at least my husband thinks so! I don't have anymore room for any indoor plants. I have started growing orchids, not difficult, just different. Have been trying to weed what's left of my flower beds, actually not weeds but the lawn has grown over the border in spots and spread. Love your saying about the sunshine...wonderful. Take care and be safe.
pixipixil
Jun 25, 2019
Darambo, I just bought my first orchid. The flowers have all dropped off. Will it flower again or have I blown it?
The leaves look healthy.
I like the sunshine saying also, elijah although I am afraid to swim in the ocean. Would love to feel the strength and freedom that saying promises.
nhoward
Jun 25, 2019
Wonderful sayings, Elijah! Thanks for the positive thoughts. Blessings.
nhoward
Jun 25, 2019
When my sister died 4 years ago, the school where I was working gave me an orchid plant. All the flowers dropped off but the next year, 2 days before her birthday, it grew 3 buds and they flowered on her birthday. It was sooooo cool!!
nhoward
Jun 25, 2019
Sorry, so, yes, they will grow back.
aknan
Jun 25, 2019
Darambo & pixi, my mother has been very successful at growing orchids. Her secret is to give each plant 3 ice cubes once weekly and that's it. They never stop blooming. Hope this works for you, too.
elijah13
Jun 25, 2019
I don't have orchids anymore but I know some people that do and will pass it on to them.
aussiesapphire
Jun 25, 2019
Great idea Aknan, I was given one by a Woolworths employee because it was dying. Never had an orchid before so will try that trick. Waiting to hear from you - just a wee bit worried. Love and hugs.
aknan
Jun 25, 2019
Please don't worry. Been busy with Dr. appointments. I'm going to be fine if we just keep praying. Will give an actual update tomorrow - I hope!
darambo
Jun 26, 2019
Wow, surprised so many of us have or had orchids. I water mine, tried the ice cube thing with my first orchid and it died. The three I have left are planted in bark and I can tell by the color of the bark if they need water, also the weight of the plant. Mine are all between flowering right now. One of them won't be flowering for a while, instead of flowers it's getting small plants they call babies. Waiting for the roots to appear so I can pluck them off the main orchid and plant them. Pixi they do usually only bloom once a year, slow blooming. One of mine started to get buds on the very end after all the other flowers dropped off and they dried up and fell off. I got my orchid books out and they said I could cut the vine back to the bottom and they would regrow new vines and flower properly. Well I don't know that much about orchids ( hence the books ) so we will see what happens?? Also found mine did better after I found the right light for them......what a surprise!!! You all be safe and take care.
darambo
Jun 26, 2019
Akan any other orchid tips from your Mom that you could remember would sure help me, thanks. Still praying, will continue to do so. Be safe my friend.
pixipixil
Jun 26, 2019
I could only fit 2 cubes on top. Maybe I should put the plant in a larger pot?
aknan
Jun 27, 2019
Pixi, that one I can't answer. Mom has hers in jars; I just see a mass of roots in there, but I assume there's some soil, too. I'll ask her tomorrow during our Thursday phone call - she's in Amarillo, TX, about 5, 000 miles away from me.
darambo, I'll see if she has any other tips, too.
pixipixil
Jun 27, 2019
How is she doing with the crazy weather? Amarillo is in the panhandle isn't it? Most of the stuff lately has been by Dallas or south. I've been to Dallas-Fort Worth twice and saw thefar wesr and south--San Antonio/Gonzales/San Angelo; Pecos/Midland/El Paso; Alpine; Big Bend Park; Guadalupe Park and did a stay at Twin Elms Dude Ranch in Bandera plus some other towns in between I can't remember. Never got to the panhandle area. We were considering a move at retirement then my husband decided not to retire. Good thing with the weather turning so awful that we never did move. All the places we went to see are having terrible weather now.
aknan
Jun 27, 2019
Pixi, Mom's in an independent living home, so she's handling everything just fine. If it's too hot or ugly out, she takes her walks inside; on a nice day, she circles the building twice and gets her mile in! Pretty amazing for a 95-yr old woman, I think!
Now, darambo and pixi - Mom's growing her orchids in shredded bark or coir in 4" plastic pots. She says she uses 2 ice cubes on Saturday, checks the pots for dryness on Wed and adds another ice cube if needed. She stresses to not let water stand in the pots; orchids don't like wet feet! In fact, she drains a couple of them by supporting the orchid and tipping the pot to let the water drain out onto a towel (Mom's fairly blind, so she doesn't try to walk these to her kitchen area and use the sink.) She doesn't use any plant food or sprays on them; they gather needed nutrients from the air, just like they do in the wild.
She also uses a support pole with a clip (some orchids come with these if they'r'e blooming) for the
new spike. Her blooms last about 6 weeks and one plant will have 12 - 15 flowers on it! All of these plants are over 5 years old and have never been repotted. Also, they don't need a lot of light, so keep them out of direct sun. Her apartment is generally kept at 79 degrees - Mom's gotten cold-blooded as she's aged.
Ladies, I hope these hints help. I don't have houseplants and I easily tire of raising mold....
pixipixil
Jun 28, 2019
Thanks very much, Aknan. Your mom is an amazing woman. Many hugs to you both.
darambo
Jun 28, 2019
Akan thanks so much for more orchid info. I had to transplant one of my new ones recently. It came planted in some kind of planting compound? anyways it had wet "feet", it's doing much better now. I also drain mine as needed. Mine don't bloom continuously. Nice to hear from someone that has experience with them, I only have my books for advice. So far I haven't killed one...yet lol!! That's great that your Mom can get around so well at her age. My Mom would be her age also, if she were still here. Miss her immensely. Thanks for the advice and tell your Mom " thank you " from another orchid lover. Be safe and you are in my prayers.
I never was able to garden. My mother gardened all the time and she had some beautiful flowers. I remember she had some Sweet Williams blooming outside. I picked them and brought them to her. She was upset at first, then the next year, the plants grew more than ever, so she told me I could pick all that I wanted. Without knowing it, I helped the flowers to bloom more than ever. I'll always remember that story when I see Sweet Williams or carnations. Sweet Williams are just miniature carnations. I love the spicy smell of both of them. I think the main way I remember my mom is all the flowers she either planted or admired by the road. I remember we were in Virginia and mom say a bush of, I think it was freesia, and she went and picked some seeds off of it. When we asked her if she thought the person who lived there would be upset. She said not when he or she went outside the next years and saw the number of blooms doubled or tripled. My mother was fearless in what she believed in and she was not afraid to challenge anyone who she thought could benefit from her wisdom. She certainly had a lot of it and I still miss her even though it's been 12 years since she left us. At least, I like to think she is watching over us from her mansion in heaven. Take care everybody. Elijah, I always like your quotes. The one about the sunshine, fresh air and water is one of your best. Nancy
A friend is one who opens the door to home and heart.
Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.
The leaves look healthy.
I like the sunshine saying also, elijah although I am afraid to swim in the ocean. Would love to feel the strength and freedom that saying promises.
darambo, I'll see if she has any other tips, too.
Now, darambo and pixi - Mom's growing her orchids in shredded bark or coir in 4" plastic pots. She says she uses 2 ice cubes on Saturday, checks the pots for dryness on Wed and adds another ice cube if needed. She stresses to not let water stand in the pots; orchids don't like wet feet! In fact, she drains a couple of them by supporting the orchid and tipping the pot to let the water drain out onto a towel (Mom's fairly blind, so she doesn't try to walk these to her kitchen area and use the sink.) She doesn't use any plant food or sprays on them; they gather needed nutrients from the air, just like they do in the wild.
She also uses a support pole with a clip (some orchids come with these if they'r'e blooming) for the
new spike. Her blooms last about 6 weeks and one plant will have 12 - 15 flowers on it! All of these plants are over 5 years old and have never been repotted. Also, they don't need a lot of light, so keep them out of direct sun. Her apartment is generally kept at 79 degrees - Mom's gotten cold-blooded as she's aged.
Ladies, I hope these hints help. I don't have houseplants and I easily tire of raising mold....