3 years later, two flowers fewer, but I’ll take it!
Here’s my cherished jungle-collected “heritage” roth, gifting once again it’s majesterial presence to Chicago’s roughest time of year.
One year ago this month, this plant was up to 8 nice growths, including 3 mature, including two swelling with promising bud. Then I screwed up my RO maintenance and poisoned basically everything, overnight. Woke up to a startling general yellowing of leaves across genera, which soon turned brown and crinkled up my dreams. I estimate I’d have had 80 plants in bloom in my little apartment and instead I had one.
This roth was hard hit. Lost all but 2 growths. One two-year-old and one baby survived. I soaked it in RO, then First Rays potions, then repotted and prayed.
Exactly one year later, here we are! Yes, I know it’s just one flower. But I’m probably more thrilled this time than last. I’m fascinated by how compact the growths are; it was a 3.5-foot wide floppy fella when it arrived. As always, knowing my plant’s provenance means it provides me with a precious piece of jungle visual thrills me to the core of why I grow exotic orchids. Thank you, unknown (to me) 1955 entomologist who, on a wife-pleasing whim, plucked this beauty from the Bornean jungle, and thanks to all who have appreciated and kept it thriving since, as I hope it will be kept when I am only a part of its long story.
As before, it sits maybe 3 inches from my south window, year-round. The windows have “failed” and appear dirty as a result, but that’s the only shading my plants get.
So pleased. Thank you for enjoying with me.
Here’s my cherished jungle-collected “heritage” roth, gifting once again it’s majesterial presence to Chicago’s roughest time of year.
One year ago this month, this plant was up to 8 nice growths, including 3 mature, including two swelling with promising bud. Then I screwed up my RO maintenance and poisoned basically everything, overnight. Woke up to a startling general yellowing of leaves across genera, which soon turned brown and crinkled up my dreams. I estimate I’d have had 80 plants in bloom in my little apartment and instead I had one.
This roth was hard hit. Lost all but 2 growths. One two-year-old and one baby survived. I soaked it in RO, then First Rays potions, then repotted and prayed.
Exactly one year later, here we are! Yes, I know it’s just one flower. But I’m probably more thrilled this time than last. I’m fascinated by how compact the growths are; it was a 3.5-foot wide floppy fella when it arrived. As always, knowing my plant’s provenance means it provides me with a precious piece of jungle visual thrills me to the core of why I grow exotic orchids. Thank you, unknown (to me) 1955 entomologist who, on a wife-pleasing whim, plucked this beauty from the Bornean jungle, and thanks to all who have appreciated and kept it thriving since, as I hope it will be kept when I am only a part of its long story.
As before, it sits maybe 3 inches from my south window, year-round. The windows have “failed” and appear dirty as a result, but that’s the only shading my plants get.
So pleased. Thank you for enjoying with me.
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