I’ve finished bidding on the cymbidium orchids on ebay.com.au. I won the 4 I had set my eyes on and now I’m very eager to get my hands on them.

They’re being sent bare rooted and so my research began on how to pot them up. I figured they’ll be a little dry when I receive them and if they’re anything like bare rooted roses, I’ll have to soak them overnight before I planted them.

Based on a good article on how to pot up bare rooted orchids from Vivi’s orchid corner, my plan of action will be:

1. Prepare some soaking solution by adding a few added drops of rooting hormone and dilute orchid fertiliser to water.
2. Soak the orchids roots in the soaking solution for a few minutes, then dunk the leaves in it too.
3. Wet some sphagnum moss with the wetting solution and place in a plastic zip lock bag and put one of the orchids in them. Repeat this step for each bare rooted orchid.
4. Sit the zip lock bag upright in a position with bright light with protection from wind (the greenhouse).
5. Once new growth appears, pot up in orchid potting mix (which I’ll have to buy).

I’ve read that one can soak in a soaking solution of sugar and fertiliser, but I’m not so convinced of this, I would think the incidence of fungus would be greatly increased.

Here’s what the greenhouse looks like. It’s not in its final position but it’s already looking good. The frangipani, okra, tomato and hollyhock seedlings are inside and there’s plenty of room to add more.

Speaking of okra, tomato and hollyhock seeds, I really need to pot them up very soon. Their roots, especially the tomato seedlings, are showing through the jiffy pellet.

I don’t think I mentioned this before, but I re-potted the succulents again. They’re in a plastic black bowl all grouped together and looking nice. I’ll show a before and after:

Before…

After…

Finally got myself a mini greenhouse and assembled it last night. I took it out this morning and put all the frangipani seedlings in it and it’s got so much more room left.

Don’t know why I didn’t get one sooner, it really saves space on the balcony. I’m thinking of getting a shelf display of some sort for the plants on the south wall of the balcony to neaten things up as well. It would certainly same some space!

Next item for the balcony is the shed. There’s a corner of the balcony that’s just getting messy and full of gardening crap I’d rather hide away than leave out for display.

Can’t wait til the rain stops, then I can sweep the balcony again and get ready for spring entertaining.

One a side note, the hollyhock, tomato and okra seedlings are coming along nicely. Only 2 of 5 okra seeds germinated, but that’s ok, I’m not sure I need anymore! I planted those seeds in jiffy blocks and the roots are starting to show through. I’m going to need a lot more little pots to transplant them into!

The short version today:

Finally re-potted the Calathea and Cordyline from home. Will be bringing them to the office tomorrow to add to the office collection of plants… which is growing… rapidly… oh dear!

I don’t know how it happened, but I’ve gone mad for Cymbidium orchids too. Bought one from Bunnings earlier this week and have bid on 3 others on ebay.com.au! Ah! Where to put these things?! But they’re so pretty… how could I resist?

I have a white Cym right now and the ones I bid on are green, yellow and pink. I want to add a brown to the collection, then I should stop. Not that I want to stop, I just should! The only down side is that it’s going to take a couple of years before I see flowers and that’s only if I give them the right conditions.

Here’s a sample photo of the colours of the Cymbidiums I want in my collection: