In a vase on Monday: a bright little bunch

I'm back this week after getting through the first trimester of pregnancy (too sleepy for gardening) and hubby's Covid (he's all good now). We are both feeling fine and finally enjoying some proper spring weather, although it continues to be very wet.

Despite not contributing lately, I have enjoyed following along with everyone else's seasonal bunches, even if I haven't left a comment. Your bunches brighten my week!

This week, I decided on a quick little posy of the brightest blooms in the garden:

This bunch features the bright blooms of Freesia 'Bergunden Mix', Nemesia stumosa 'Patchwork', Tritonia crocata, Calendula officinalis 'Honey Babe Mix' and stocks Matthiola incana 'Imperial'.

 
I love all the pumpkin colours in this bunch

Though parts of the garden are a total mess, having being neglected lately, other parts are looking beautiful. With some newfound energy, I enjoyed working on my yearly display of cymbidum orchids. Usually, I store them in a makeshift shadehouse, bringing them out to display them amongst bromeliads and ferns when they are in bloom in late winter and spring.

Most of these orchids were inherited from my grandparents and mother when she moved interstate. I don't know any of the cultivar names, but the cascading green orchid on the right is a species cymbidium from China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, Cymbidium lowianum.

Cymbidium lowianum closeup. It was my Grandpa's favourite.

The Aechmea fasciata blooms (top right) are insanely long lived, lasting 12 months in my garden.

Garden assistant Cosmo, taking it easy

Other areas, such as the dahlia bed, need serious attention! I was thinking that the weeds may actually have been of some benefit to the tubers this season. It's been so wet, that perhaps the weeds will have drawn out the excess water, preventing the tubers from rotting. We shall see....

Thanks to Cathy of Rambling in the Garden, for being the creator and weekly host of the In a Vase on Monday meme. To see what other gardeners around the world have come up with this week, or to add a bunch of your own, head over to her blog here.

Comments

  1. Kris PetersonOctober 10, 2022 at 6:57 PM

    Well, you've had a LOT going on! I'd wondered what you were up as you'd been radio silent. Best wishes on 2 smoother trimesters to your pregnancy and no further family bouts with COVID. I love your sunny bouquet. I plant more Freesias every year but never feel I have enough of them. Your orchid-bromeliad display is stellar! I've seen many displays in botanic gardens that aren't even half as good. You'll have to share your tips and tricks for growing both at some point.

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    Replies
    1. HorticatOctober 11, 2022 at 4:31 PM

      Thanks Kris, yes it has been rather a lot! Thanks for your well wishes.
      I can't say I do anything particularly special with the orchids - in fact, a true orchid enthusiast would probably say they're fairly neglected! I think the key for decent flowers is light. I move them into full sun over winter while the spikes are forming and then back into bright shade the rest of the year. I also give them a bit of slow release fertiliser a couple of times a year and that's about it :)

      Delete
  2. danger gardenOctober 11, 2022 at 9:30 AM

    Well congrats on coming out the other side of the first trimester! That orchid display is off the charts, I can't quite wrap my head around it. Well done!

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    Replies
    1. HorticatOctober 11, 2022 at 4:31 PM

      Thanks Loree, that means a lot coming from you, a queen of plant displays yourself!

      Delete
  3. AnnaOctober 11, 2022 at 10:09 AM

    Oh what an exciting time for you - a baby on the way and bring able to fully immerse yourself in spring now that you've both regained your energy. Hope that all goes well. A most exquisite collection of orchids - they are so eye-catching 😀

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    Replies
    1. HorticatOctober 11, 2022 at 4:33 PM

      Thanks for your well wishes Anna :) Yes, it's nice to have some energy again (the spring weather certainly helps too).

      Delete
  4. AmeliaOctober 11, 2022 at 10:49 AM

    What a wonderful vase! Lovely colors and I am thinking the fragrance is wonderful as well. Congratulations and I wish you energy for the rest of your journey. I love your orchids, I can grow them in the garden here but only have a few.

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    1. HorticatOctober 11, 2022 at 4:36 PM

      Thanks Amelia, I hope to be able to keep gardening for as long as possible - it keeps me sane! I imagine the variety of orchids you can grow in your climate is mind boggling! I keep to mostly cymbidiums here as they are easy care in my climate.

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  5. AnonymousOctober 11, 2022 at 12:45 PM

    What a cheery posy - so colourful and in my (northern hemisphere) eyes almost autumnal. Your plant collection is lovely too. All the best!

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    1. HorticatOctober 11, 2022 at 4:36 PM

      Thank you, yes you're right, autumn in spring :)

      Delete
  6. CathyOctober 12, 2022 at 9:20 AM

    Congratuations on your pregnancy and I hope it continues well for you. Your little posy is so bright and cheerful and those freesias are an amazing colour! As everyone else has already said, your orchid display is wonderful - what a great tableau you have created!

    ReplyDelete

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