Blooming Cattleya Orchid

Cattleyas are easier to grow indoors in the Pacific Northwest than many other species.  They bloom at irregular intervals that are hard to predict, but wonderful when it happens.  This is the one that opened today.  I’m cutting back on the watering. with the change in the seasons.  One good watering a week will do in our greenhouse.  I will fertilize every other watering, one quarter strength, with our liquid solution.  Good indirect light, remember. 

Also, if the rhizome is reaching over the edge of the pot, think about dividing or going to a bigger pot.  And drainage must be absolute, otherwise the roots will rot from being too damp, too long.  Often people tell me that they cannot get their orchid to re-bloom.

I believe it is a combination of light, humidity, feeding, and …temperature fluctuation.  If you can get the temperature to move up and down 15 or 20 degrees, it’ll help alot. 

Kahili ginger in bloom today

Hedychium gardnerianum (Kahili ginger, Kahila garland-lily, or ginger lily) is a species of flowering plant in the ginger family Zingiberaceae, native to the Himalayas in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It’s an herbaceous perennial, and can grow up to 8 ft tall with long, bright green leaves on tall stems. But the bloom, now THAT is worth the wait here at Raintree! Locating this plant on a sunny pathway will gift passers-by with a sweet scent reminiscent of ripe pineapple.

Hardy hibiscus: a garden gem

Hardy Hibiscus

We love the green in our greenhouse, of course. But when a hardy hibiscus with bright magenta blooms gifts us with not one, not two, but three stunningly huge blooms on a single day, we gather around and celebrate the “eye candy” it delivers. It performs best in full sun, but can stand a little afternoon shade. Keep it moist but not wet, and you’ll watch it grow to full size (2 ft. by 5 ft.) within a year or two. A stunner to enjoy all summer!