Second weekend of orchid'ing

We were in Sg Buloh...had lunch at Laksa Jitra Mai and then visited the orchid farm here...a lot of hybrids...a few species available...our quest for the time being is to collect Aerides. However, no aerides to be found...we found rhynchostylis gigantea and got a pot...welcome to the family...

Then we continued our quest at Ampang...we went in search of Hourai Farm...at first, we couldn't find the farm.  After making several roundabouts we finally met up with Reen and Seishi of Hourai Orchid.  What can I say about this place? 

I was speechless...I actually gawked and mind you...i do not gawk...

The place was a beauty.  Mya and Aiden really enjoyed themselves.  We got our misting system and some small beauties...here are some pictures of Hourai...

Honest mistake?

About two or three weeks ago, we went to the Kuala Lumpur Orchid and Bonsai 2015 exhibition.  I for one...regret not taking pictures of the unique and lovely bonsai.  They were all breathtaking.  However...Farish's interest was mainly to look at the numerous orchid species on sale.  My eyes were more on the air plants . 

We went with a good friend whom we have known since our school days (at least Farish did...ngeee).  As we were looking around, we came across this stall...supposedly to be one of the best orchid growers.  He had with him a clump of Bulbophyllum Kubahense in a basket
...and our friend was excited because you don't get this commonly known 'The Kubah National Park Bulbophyllum' anywhere.  The species can only be found in Sarawak Borneo. 

Can you imagine Farish's excitement? He was like Aiden and Mya with new toys...and looking at the clump...I have to admit...it was a good buy....pricey....but still a good buy.

So...at home, we left the basket alone...we didn't want to repot it yet...letting it get comfortable with the environment.

Last weekend, we felt that it was the right time to repot...We prepared a large enough pot to let it grow better...hold and behold...to our surprise...the clump was not a clump at all...it was basically a few bulbos being put together.  My heart went out to Farish...he looked so frustrated.

Look...my beloved had grown about 300+ species before...and he knows what he had gotten...he felt he was ripped...but...we decided that 'maybe' the orchid grower made an 'honest mistake'? (*me....how can you not known especially if you claim to be an otai in growing orchids?) So...we repot the bulbs and we are hoping for the best.

The first picture is of pre-repot....

Aidi & Chocolate

We made a trip to Richard's Seremban Orchid last weekend...brought along the kids.  We thought they were gonna give us a hard time considering that it was jn the middle of the afternoon and it was our third orchid.  To our surprise, all three were pretty excited looking at the orchid collection.  And looking at how our eldest was taking pictures...we decided to let him choose one orchid plant...guess which did he get?

Oncidium Sharry Baby - a hybrid...
Reason? It smells like chocolate...trust a 14-year-old teenager to choose a flower.  However, we got a pot...it is still in the budding stage.  Can't wait to see and smell the bloom...for now, we'll just post the plant...

I am adding Sharry Baby's picture at full bloom...somehow...I find that the smell is most prominent during the afternoons.  

Mommy's new interest

I have never liked flowers...funny right? I used to find them superficial and short lasting.  My love of plants has always been for those big leafy ones. 

Marrying Farish...now...this is a man who was and is never afraid to embrace his feminine instincts.  I knew he is sooo into orchids. He even had a vast collection of them.  He preferences were zeroed at species orchids.  When he wanted to start his cattery, he gave away all of his orchids to a so-called trusted friend.  Alas, the last we heard of him...all of the orchids have perished.

After 8 years of marriage, I finally cave in to his interest.  We got our first orchid...a Phalaenopsis belina. I was still sceptical but I had to admit that the leaves were unique. 

As I started to care for my first wee little one...she began to bloom...and my oh my...was she a pretty one...I fell in love with her...

This is where our journey begins...together...Farish and I...we have decided to plunge into the world of orchids.

More posts to come...😃