Friday, April 10, 2009

Happy Birthday to Me

I was out shopping yesterday and since my Mom-in-law had sent me some money for my birthday I decided to buy myself this:

orchid

My first orchid. Yes, I'm taking the plunge and joining all you orchid lovers out there. Since it was only $15 at Fred Meyer I couldn't pass it up.

Here's my former entry into the world of orchids:

fake

Did you guess? Yes, it's fake. But it always looked pretty decent. At least I thought so.

I found a website that offers plenty of info concerning orchids - Beautiful Orchids. Probably even just as useful will be my friend Carol who grows orchids. I can ask her all my stupid questions. I already realize I need a new pot with drainage (the one it's in doesn't have any) and some growing medium. (The roots are just wrapped up in plastic.) So, going back to the store soon.

Update: I bought the orchid bark planting mix and it is now sitting in a new pot with the proper mix (soaked first). Strange feeling to pot up a plant in bark.


My daughter Vanessa informed me that she's buying me a massage for my birthday. She's coming along for one of her own. We'll be getting them the day after we do the Robie Creek race. Great timing. Can't wait for that. Specifically she bought me a Hot Rock Massage - "Hot Rock Massage provides a deeply relaxing experience for the body, mind, and spirit. This massage concentrates on the lymph nodes and the fluid drainage. It penetrates your body and relaxes the muscles."
Well, that should be interesting.

19 comments:

Connie said...

That is one gorgeous orchid...great choice!
BTW, your slide show on the side bar is very nice....really showcases the area in which you live.

Unknown said...

In Romania, your birthday is in 2 hours and 9 minutes!

I want to say now, because tomorrow I'll be out...

HAAAAAAAPPY BIIIIIIIRTHDAY!

Have a great day tomorrow, close to your family and friends!

PS: great orchid!

Dirt Princess said...

Well that is great!!! I am reading so many new posts about bloggers getting into orchids...I myself am one of them! Oh...I am jealous of your hot stone massage. I have never had one....but I really want one! Please let me know how it is! You have a wonderful brithday, and a blessed Easter!

our friend Ben said...

Happy birthday to you! And a great Easter and stone massage, too! You chose a phalaenopsis, which is a wonderful orchid to grow and thrive in household conditions. But the thought of the roots being wrapped in plastic kinda makes me feel sick. You need to suspend them in a pot with great drainage, then gently pack moisturized bark chips, perlite, and charcoal around them (I hydrate mine in a secondhand Crock-Pot from the Salvation Army). You should be able to buy a phalaenopsis potting mix with the right size bark and etc., but you really should hydrate it first, even if you have to boil it in a throwaway pot and then let it cool before potting. Once you've gotten it into the right pot and medium, it's just a matter of keeping it watered and in the best light your house affords. Good luck!

Kirsten said...

Happy birthday! The orchid is fabulous. I have never had success keeping them alive more than a few months, myself - better luck to you!

Pat said...

Happy Birthday Victoria!!
Where's the wine?
Best wishes,
Patsi

Heather said...

That massage looks like a dandy choice. I would love that for my birthday. Enjoy, after that race you will need it:D
Heather

Kathleen said...

Happy Birthday Victoria!! A girl after my own heart ~ I would have spent birthday $$ on an orchid too. I just found a great greenhouse nearby which only grows orchids (it's open to the public too). I was in heaven and of course fell in love with the most expensive (well, $65.00) lady slipper orchid in the place! I am pretty new to orchid growing too ~ I have one phalaenopsis and one lady slipper (paph). Too bad we can't share bags of bark, moss, etc.!! The other part of your birthday looks fabulous too ~ I've been wanting to try a hot stone massage so please let us know how it was.

Rosemary said...

Happy Birthday!
A true gardener buying a plant with birthday money........

François-Xavier said...

Bonjour,
j'ai acheté il y a quelques temps une très belle orchidée, mais Datcha'a a eu raison d'elle et elle se meurt tranquillement dans un coin de l'appartement !
Bon et heureux anniversaire une fois encore,
Bisous,
François,

Bek said...

Happy Birthday! Enjoy the orchid and the massage:)

Unknown said...

Happy (?) late birthday - hope it's a great one! Love the massage idea - especially after your race when it will really be appreciated!
Your Orchid is gorgeous. My Mother bought me one when I was in the hospital and it was beautiful for a couple of years but it isn't looking very good now - in fact I think maybe it bit the dust. We really enjoyed it. I may have to replace it.

"Daffodil Planter" Charlotte Germane said...

Pretty orchid! For an additional site on orchids (I need all the help I can get with them) try My Orchids Journal; she's down in Oz.

horticolo said...

un peu tard, mais vaut mieux tard que pas du tout, allez bisous par la bas,
Horticolo

Wurzerl said...

It 's really a wonderful orchid! I congratulate a little late but from my heart. We are both aries!
Wurzerl

Katie said...

Happy Birthday!

Pretty orchid. I hope it blooms for a long time.

You'll LOVE the hot rock massage.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to you! That's the same orchid I started with. Bought it full of blooms in January, and it's still growing strong. If I had known it was this easy to grow, I would have tried sooner.

spookydragonfly said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I, too, celebrated a birthday this month. Your Orchid is so very beautiful...good luck with it! My daughter just finished her theraputic maasage training... when she comes to visit, I receive a complimentary massage. She brings the table, music, candles, etc...ahhh...I could go for one right now! Happy Spring!

Genie said...

Oh my gosh that orchid is GORGEOUS! Wow!

Hot rock massage, ah! I've never had one but, oh, I can imagine!