Hi dear friends
You should see my little garden seriously it’s become my happy place. I just step out there and all the stress from the day just melts away. Orchids are everywhere now i can’t even tell you how many types i have got but each one’s special to me. This tiny patch of dirt in our yard? It’s turned into my own little piece of paradise.
The bright pink ones up top left were my first ever orchids. I still remember carrying them home in a cheap plastic pot hands all shaky because i was so scared i had mess them up. Back then i was stressing nonstop is the light too strong? Did i water them enough? Too much? Now they bloom twice a year with these gorgeous pink petals and deep magenta centers. When the wind blows they sway like they are doing some kind of slow dance.
Right next to them are my dark purple orchids their color’s so rich it almost glows when clouds roll in. I spotted them at the local plant market hidden away where nobody was looking. But i saw them right away and knew i had to take them home. They shoot up tall almost reaching the roof of my garden shed and their petals feel like velvet when you touch them. Best part? They love hanging out under the mango tree in dappled shade you don’t always need full sun to be amazing.
The peach colored ones top right were a gift from my neighbor she knew how crazy i was getting about orchids. She said they are tough enough for our weather here in Butuan and she was not kidding. Rain or shine they just keep going. The flowers start yellow in the middle and fade to warm peach at the edges and they are bigger than most of my others. When they open up you can catch a sweet little scent hanging in the air.
Bottom left are my white orchids with purple in the middle they look so classy like they are dressed up for a party. These were a pain to get right at first though. They are fussy about temperature and need just the right amount of air and water. I moved them around so many times before i found the perfect spot near the gate. Now they go crazy with blooms pure white petals standing out against all that green. Every time someone comes over and stops to look i can’t help grinning.
The soft yellow ones in the middle? I grew those from a single stem I found on the ground when I was at my friend’s farm. I didn’t even know if it would live but i wrapped it in damp moss and brought it home anyway. A few weeks later i saw tiny roots popping out i was so excited I almost yelled! Now they’re a big bushy bunch petals thin as tissue paper with little purple spots in the middle.
Last but not least the orange and red ones down bottom right. They are the newest additions and do they bring some life to the place! Their stems twist and turn like weird little sculptures and when the flowers open up it’s like a burst of sunset. I love watching them grow from tight little knobs to these bright fiery blooms that remind me of the Agusan River when the sun goes down.
I start every morning out there checking each plant pulling off dead leaves making sure they have got just enough water. Some people think it’s a lot of work but for me it’s just… nice. It’s my way of slowing down paying attention to what’s right in front of me. My collection just keeps getting bigger and i know i will keep adding more. Nothing beats seeing a new flower pop open knowing you helped it get there.