Orchids in full bloom at Mama's garden

The orchids in my mother's garden are in full bloom this time of the year. Almost all of these were gifts from me. A couple were actually dying in our garden before I took them to my mother for recovery.

They didn't 'encourage' the orchids to flower meaning no fertilizers or blooming agents were sprayed on them. So these flowers are mainly due to the conditions including the weather we're having this time of year. 'The other orchids were just growing the stem for their flowers last week. They should be blossoming by the new year.

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Flowers in season - Poinsettias and orchids

Here's another draft that I was not able to finish last December. Posting it today after the end of the Christmas Season and while the temperatures are still cool this time of year. 

Perhaps one of the most popular plants during this season is the Poinsettia. The most common are the red ones; referring to the top leaves that change color sometime November/December of every year. There were also white ones and even yellow but it was the first time I saw pink poinsettias one time I was picking up some garden soil to replenish our pots at home. I ended up getting one pot for our home and it is still pink as of this writing. I got another to give to a friend before the Christmas break. 

I also saw that there were a lot of nice orchids being sold at the garden shop I frequently buy supplies from. As my mother's birthday was approaching, I got her another orchid for her garden. Following are a couple of photos showing the orchid and the poinsettia.

Orchids for my mother on her birthday

Pink Poinsettias

 Before Christmas, my sister also gifted us with a couple of orchids. They were delivered and came in a cleverly constructed box that protected the orchids.  I will post their photos here soon.

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Mama's garden

I was featuring my mother's garden but have not shown it in perspective. Following is a photo of the 'larger' part of her humble garden, which basically goes around my parents' home. You can see the orchids here that are the main attractions. Most of the plants are relatively low maintenance and our kasambahay Ate Ellen helps her care for the plants. As the wet season has arrived, they won't really have to water the plants that much.

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Orchids at Mama's Garden

I had written about my mother's fondness for plants, especially orchids. I recall that she was so delighted by the waling-waling I had brought from Davao from my first trip there. It took some time before that orchid flowered and when it did, it was so impressive. Unfortunately and mysteriously, the orchid died after flowering. Mama and Tatay believed that the waling-waling was indeed for Davao only. That was over 15 years ago and perhaps I need to go back and get some samples of the orchid again to prove that it will grow here. Anyhow, following are two falenopsis orchids currently in full bloom at my mother's garden in Cainta.

These falenopsis orchids are the latest in her collection

It seemed a coincidence that the orchids we gave her a few years ago are currently in full bloom

She also has dendrobiums and vandas but these have no flowers now. I noticed this afternoon though that one dendrobium just started to grow the stem from which flowers will come out of. Mama no longer uses fertilizers to induce the orchids and just let them be. I will take some more photos next time I visit my parents' home.

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Falenopsis Orchids for Mama

Last Sunday was Mothers' Day and as we were hosting lunch at our home, we decided to get something for our mothers and my sister whom we were expecting at noon. One of the first things that came to my mind was orchids. My mother has a nice garden where she has a lot of flowering plants. Among these were those that Tatay, my siblings and I had given her in the past that she nurtured and succeeded in propagating. My mother-in-law also has a garden in their home and there are many nice plants there under her care including fruit bearing ones.

Orchids I got from one of the shops at the Quezon Memorial Circle

Two things that go well together it seems are flowers and art. Here are two of the orchids and some of the paintings at our living room.

Here's another photo with the remaining orchid together with one of our favorite paintings.

My mother chose the lighter pink orchids while my mother-in-law chose the white with the pink interior. My sister opted not to get hers as she said it was going to be difficult for her to care for the orchids. I was going to give it to my mother but Tatay said we could keep it and then we could give it to Mama for her to nurture them until they flower again.

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