Monday, February 23, 2009

Orchids and Marmalade Monday

Three of my blooming orchids! From left to right they are LC Rojo, Howeara Lava Burst and Dendrobium Farmeri.


The LC Rojo (on the left) is the hybrid of the two orchids I have pictured below: Cattleya Aureantica found in Mexico in 1840 and Laelia Milleri of Brazil first described in the 1960s. Shortly after the Laelia was found, orchid growers created the LC Rojo hybrid. I added this to my collection last February. It blooms once a year in the Spring.





Cattleya Aurantiaca







Laelia Milleri



The middle orchid is an Howeria, and it is an intergeneric hybrid between Leochilus (Mexico), oncidium (Caribbean) and Rodriguezia (Panama) It blooms twice a year, and has long lasting flowers.


The orchid on the right is a Dendrobium Farmeri - this is a species orchid described first in 1840 It blooms in the spring and is from India and Thailand. This particular one is a division that I made. These are all old canes that that have bloomed in previous years and have lost their leaves. I'm hoping new canes will grow on this one. The other half of the division is younger, has lots of new canes and isn't bald like this poor guy. This orchid blooms once a year in the Spring. On larger, younger plants there are multiple flowering spikes.


None of these orchids are scented. Bummer dude.









I made more marmalade last week. Notice the difference in color? The middle jar is from the batch I made a few weeks ago. The other three were made last week. For this batch I picked far more blood oranges than I planned to use, cut them in half and chose only the brightest and most colorful ones for the marmalade. I used the rest for juice. Mmmm!


Dr. West has been taking in the waters and having a rest cure over at the Safety Harbor Spa. He said he'll be back tomorrow with another hysterical dissertation - or did he say dissertation on the hysteria pitfalls of marriage. Either way, stay tuned.


17 comments:

larkswing said...

Love your orchids! I have tried to unsuccessfuly maintain orchids in the past. I decided it must not be my time to do this! Maybe when the kids are grown and the imagined peacefulness of life takes over. hahaha!

sandy said...

That sounds like a great song title. Maybe I can get creative today and write a country western song, ha! Loved seeing them and the marmalade. I am in awe of people who actually make jellies, jams, marmalades, well anything really. I don't do cooking well...

Kat Mortensen said...

I'm sure I don't have the patience for orchids, but yours are lovely. Marmalade however, I love to make, along with jams and chutneys. You see the results right away and you get to taste it too!

Kat

P.S. Did you see yourself in my Blog-traveller itinerary? Check my sidebar and look for your name in the post.

steviewren said...

From now on Muse you are my go to person on the subject of orchids. A few years ago a friend of mine got it in her head that we had to go buy orchids from the guy who grows them for some of the local shops. He has a added-to-through-the-years type greenhouse covering his hilly backyard. Inside there are rows and rows of plants. While she engaged him in talk I roamed the aisles taking pictures. Very pretty but my thumb is not green enough to do much with them unfortunately.

Betsy Brock said...

Your orchids are lovely. I've never tried to keep one. Not sure why they seem so intimidating. Maybe it's because they are a little more expensive and if it dies, it seems more tragic than, say, an african violet. (which I can grow, btw! lol) Anyway, I'm impressed with your three beauties!

MuseSwings said...

Thank you, Imerie - there is peacefulness involved in this hobby - soon as you get some, try it out!
(Tapping toes) Waiting for a song, Sandy

I just made strawberry jam for the Mister, Kat! I saw your intinerary - what does that widget do? Besides looking good, that is.

Yes, but you have an artistic thumb - that is a wonderful thing. I'll just keep taking pics of the bloomin' orchids for you, Stevie

MuseSwings said...

Thank you, Betsy - I on the other hand am banned from owning African violets. I've killed off zillions of them.

Jeanne Estridge said...

Those are beautiful -- love the orange one especially!

soulbrush said...

aha, she had green thumbs too....love the colours of your marmalade. my husband loves the stuff (very popular here in merry ole england). hugs.

Shelley said...

Those jars of marmalade looked so pretty and yummy! (Do you use a pressure cooker or water bath canner to make your marmalade??)

Sparky said...

You are so multi-talented! The Orchids are lovely and look very healthy. My grandmother in Orlando used to grow African Violets. I'm only good at trees and 'regular' flowers (cosmos, zinnias, bulbs, etc.).
Can't wait for more of Dr. West 'observations'. He makes me so grateful for modern life. LOL ♥ ∞

MuseSwings said...

Merry Old England has lots to offer Soulbrush!

I cook it on top of the stove, and because of the high sugar and acid content I don't have to sterilize it. I use sterilized self sealing canning jars.

I'm not sure what Dr. West has to say for himself tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure it will make us all require smelling salts Sparky

Lavinia said...

Well, Lady Marmalade, I see your blog is going to pot. Heavens what would Dr. West say, indeed. I'm sure he would object to the violent colour in those jam jars, wot!?

Blicky Kitty said...

Those are beautiful! Your photos are gorgeous too! My flu addled brain needed that nice dose of color. I'll be sure not to miss the advise of the dear doctor....

MuseSwings said...

You are right Lavvi - they are far too bright for a woman of sensitive nature.

I'm sorry you are sick Blick - get well quick!

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

You Rock! The orchids, the marmalades, I'm in awe! You Totally Rock!!!!

ChaChaneen said...

You're adorable with your plant~children posts! Perhaps, you need grandchildren now! Is Daughter serious with anyone yet? lol

Ya know... one of those jars is just calling my name.. "J-a-n-e-e-n... I want to be paired with your cream scones!" Can I win a give away or something? Marmalades poem contest? ha ha