Monday Garden Update -- Orchid Score!

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Since we bought our little house, Robb and I have been frequenting local estate sales.  Estate sales are fascinating, and always a bit sad.  You can "read" a great deal about the people whose possessions are being sold off at these events.  Travels, interests, aging -- it's all evident in the unwanted contents of a now-unpopulated home.

On Saturday, Robb and I stopped by an estate sale in Alameda.  The owners had clearly been adventurous gardeners, but as they had aged, they seemed to have ability to care for their plants.  Many beautiful specimens had split their pots, and grew roots between patio paving stones, burrowing into the earth.  Among the heaps of neglected plants were a massive pile of cymbidium orchids, being offered at a shockingly low price.  I bought the lot, filling Robb's station wagon to bursting.




We live in a climate where many orchids can over-winter outside (I did bring the entire orchid jungle inside last week, due to a long stretch of hard frost).  Cymbidiums are local favorites, because they're both unfussy and dramatic.  These particular plants are giants, that have long ago outgrown their pots.  In one case, the plant in one pot helped itself to space in it's neighboring pot, fusing the two containers together.  Most every pot has disintegrated, and there doesn't seem to be much potting medium left in the mass of strangling roots.




I'll re-pot these orchids in the spring, after they've finished blooming.   For the moment, I don't want to stress the plants.  I fear that will disturb the development of their bloom spikes.

To see what other gardeners are up to, mosey on over to Daphne's weekly round-up.  It's always fun to snoop around in someone else's garden.



Comments

Melissa said…
Oh my goodness! What an amazing score! Those are going to be absolutely divine :-)
Norma Chang said…
I am sure the owner of those orchids was happy that they found a caring home.
I am drooling over all the ripe persimmons hanging on the tree.
K said…
I love orchids. I've got a few that need to be re-potted, what do you use to do that? Mine came with wood chips, and I can't seem to find anything like that in the stores.
Anonymous said…
What a find! I understand that Orchids prefer to be pot-bound, but these sound like they're way overdue to be transplanted - good luck with them :-)
sojourner
Lisa said…
Most large garden centers, nurseries or big box stores sell various grades of orchid medium. It's usually near the bags of potting soil, next to the stuff for African violets.
Unknown said…
What A great FIND!! I understand what you mean by the feeling you get when attending estate sales. But like you said..the plants are now being owned by someone that will certainly take care of them and enjoy them for years to come. Your persimmon tree looks very festive for the holidays!!! I had no idea that they looked like that this time of year as i have never even tasted one..l0l
Unknown said…
Great photos of your garden, Lisa! I looked for the cats somewhere in and amongst the greenery, but didn't spot them. Were they in the picture or keeping themselves otherwise occupied?
Daphne Gould said…
Those persimmons in the background look so good. I love the look of the bare branches with the ripening persimmons still hanging on. No one here grows the fruit as far as I can tell. I've never seen one in real life. And congratulations on your find.
Lisa said…
Smog wandered through while I was photographing. He rarely stands still for long.
Lisa said…
I wonder if persimmons can handle truly cold winters.
K said…
Thank you Lisa!

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