Wednesday, February 15, 2017

My Garden and Orchids in Mid-February

It seems winter comes to an end, the sun fairly often appears in the sky and temperature gets up to 0 C..+5 C (30...40  F). Last weeks I had not been able to visit my garden as frequently as I wanted, because of my illness, therefore I've enjoyed seeing the garden in mid-February.


Just having arrived at my garden I've sat on the terrace enjoying sun rays. The weather was a present of the nature, since beginning of February the days were cloudy and grey.  Look at my pines - bonsai, every needle shines in sun light.


The rest of the last year apple is keeping on the branches, I think this winter birds eat a lot of apples left on trees. Besides, the neighbors feed them as well.


Although snow still covers the garden, it melts in some spots. I noticed a jay eating seeds fallen from a feeder. I did fed the birds in my last visit yet much time has passed when I did this. I've found the sack with seed and  filled out the feeder.

 

This juniper is bathing in warmth. Its long green branches hang over the snowy heap, that actually is not a heap - it's roses covered with special cloth and snow.

Now lets come back in a warm living room and have a look at my home blooming plants.
I grow some orchids for years. Some of them bloom and others don't. What is wrong with them? I try to maintain my orchids as it's said and written on the net and books. Therefore a week ago I have been pleased seeing new buds and blossoms on my Phalaenopsis.


Last month I have had a nice gift on my birthday, it's an orchid Dendrobium. It's a new one for me. I will learn to care of it, they said it's enough a capricious and very pretty orchid!


If you have an experience in growing orchids, share with me, please. 
I hope my garden will change in March, when the sun is warmer and snow disappears. 
Here is my first forced tulip starts blooming.


Regarding my spring plans I want to start seedlings and have already prepared good soil and fresh seed. What are your plans for spring?

46 comments:

  1. Nadezda Hello! Snowy spring garden is beautiful. I hope you are feeling better. Greetings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Anne, I enjoy my garden in sunny days.

      Delete
  2. Espero que te encuentres bien Nadezda. Por aquí todavía hace frío y llueve bastante, pero he plantado lilium, las orquídeas son preciosas ( tengo varias parecidas ) el Dendrobium, tengo uno hace bastantes años y se cría muy bien, este año lo atacaron los caracoles y tenia muchos en las raíces. Besos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teresa, que bien que puedes plantar las orquídeas en tu jardin. Yo odio los cacacoles, peleo con esos todo el tiempo. Espero que mi Dendrobium crece bien tambien, gracias.

      Delete
  3. I'm so sorry to hear that you were ill and am glad that you're feeling better now. Your sunny garden is beautiful, even in the snow. Spring draws closer every day and soon we'll all be outside cleaning up and playing in our gardens. For the next few days, we will have heavy rain and gray clouds. I haven't really made plans for spring. There is always so much to do in the garden at that time of year that I seem to rush from one thing to another. Maybe a plan would be good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peter, I'm getting better now, thank you. You're right spring will come, sure and a lot of work waits for us in the garden. There is no time to be ill:)

      Delete
  4. Hoping you are feeling better, the orchids are beautiful and I find the flowers usually last for a long time. This year everything seems to have started to bloom so much earlier.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, agree Nezumi, the flowers last 2-3 months. I'd like warmth to come earlier here too :-)

      Delete
  5. I am so happy to hear you are feeling better now, and I am sorry you were sick. Your photos are absolutely gorgeous! Such a brilliant burst of colour and happiness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Linda, am better now, and wait for spring and warm days.

      Delete
  6. Buena vista tenes desde la terraza Nadezda y también mucha nieve. Por Béjar este año sólo ha nevado en la sierra. Las orquideas las tienes preciosas.
    Besos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Si, la vista es buena pero hace frio, unos +3 C solamente, pero el sol es precioso, Laura.

      Delete
  7. Wow, you talk about spring, but I see a lot of snow. I hope it melts soon and you can start sowing outside. Here no more snow, no frost, I am cutting back the borders. Groetjes Hetty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a nice weather in your place, Hetty! I'd like to rake and clean in my garden as well.

      Delete
  8. Hola! Qué maravilloso jardín todo nevado, por mi tierra no ha caido nieve este año y a mí me encanta ver el paisaje todo blanco. Yo también tengo comederos para alimentar pajaritos en los meses más fríos. preciosas tus orquídeas. Un saludo desde Galicia. Tania

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Estoy contenta que te gusta este paisaje blanco, Tania. Me gustaron tu fotos de Galicia.
      Gracias por visitar mi blog!

      Delete
  9. Beautiful photos Nadezda! Greetings!:)

    xxBasia

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Nadezda. I am sorry to hear you were ill and am glad you are feeling better. Your photos are beautiful and I am especially fond of the capture of the little bird and the lovely orchids. Spring is just a little over a month away and soon we will be back out into our gardens. Be well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Spring is over a couple of months here Lee. I just started sowing so will see first sprouts when spring comes.

      Delete
  11. I'm sorry that you have been feeling unwell buy sunshine always makes things seem better doesn't it?

    I had problems getting my orchids to flower and I followed all sorts of different advice. In the end I popped them in a south facing window removing them if the sun is too hot, other than that I give them a good drink occasionally. I hold the pot under a fast running warm/hot tap letting the water wash through the bark chipping compost and then leave them a few minutes to drain. Now they keep flowering. They seem to respond to a bit of neglect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your valuable advice Sue. I've read about watering as you do it and now will try to do the same. I think one a month is enough, isn't it Sue?

      Delete
    2. Yes Unless it is very warm - good luck

      Delete
  12. You have so much snow in your garden Nadezda, compared to us! Lucky you! And your orchids are looking real delights!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had no snow till January and now it falls and melts. Thank you, Tistou!

      Delete
  13. Hope you are feeling better. It is too early for me to start seeds here as spring is still a couple of months away. I do hope to start seeds in mid-April. I have had better luck with orchids recently, but I am far from an expert. Getting the watering right seems key. I have really neglected the one I have at the moment and it is looking rather sad. Your new Dendrobium is gorgeous and your Phalaenopsis looks like it is doing very well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do hope the orchids are well now, and I agree Jennifer the key is right watering. I want sowing the veggies that sprout and grow long time until harvesting.

      Delete
  14. It's nice to look at your snow-covered garden. I hope you all survived and flowers will spring. And my orchids are temperamental this year, despite the fact that taking care of them for a few years as well. Last orchid is very difficult to bring it to re-bloom in the home. Me after a few years blossomed a few flowers. Regards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Giga, I've read Dendrobium is easy in growing, but is a capricious orchid. Perhaps mine won't re-bloom as well, who knows.

      Delete
  15. Dear Nadezda!
    I am glad that you are already healthy.
    Winter garden looks beautiful.
    Your orchids bloom beautifully.
    I dropped tomatoes, celery, lettuce and peppers.
    Plants grow longer.
    Greetings.
    Lucja

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very organized Lucja. You sowed veg seedlings, I agree they grow long time before to be planted in soil.
      Greetings!

      Delete
  16. Hello dear Nadezda, your garden looks wonderful with all that snow and the sun cheerfully shining. I can believe you enjoyed very much sitting on the terrace. :)
    I don't know practically anything about growing orchids (I don't like them specially much) and your pretty tulip thrills me much more.
    Thank you for your comment! Our squirrels are the red (Eurasian) ones, a little bit harmful but so very cute. As far as I know, in Finland there aren't (North American) eastern grey squirrels, which have almost entirely displaced the populations of native red squirrels on mainland Britain.
    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you had sunny days in your place as well, Sara. We northern people wait for spring and enjoy every sunny day!
      Here red squirrels are everywhere, there are no grey ones. When I've seen your photos of squirrels I was not sure they red ones. Thanks!

      Delete
    2. The one in the recent photos looks red in summer, but has now its grey winter coat and the ear tufts. There's also another one that looks almost black, also during winter. The two have different characters: the red one is easier to photograph. :)

      Delete
    3. Yes, I forgot that American grey squirrels have no ear tufts. I also did not know they are of different colors in winter and in summer. As hares do :-) Thanks you Sara!

      Delete
  17. Hove a nice weekend under the warm sunshine.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I sincerely hope you are feeling better. Your beautiful orchids must perk you up to look at them. :-) I have started seeds for years, but I'm thinking I'll take a break this year and buy the plants I want. There is a small farm down the road that starts annuals every year and sells the plants for $1 each. With a little fertilizer, they work quite well in containers, and I feel like I'm contributing to a small business rather than a well established nursery. Take care of yourself. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand you, Judy. Starting seeds is hard work, watering, light,fertilizing, and no warranty seedlings are healthy. To buy young plants is easier, you do the containers and decorate your garden.
      Thank you, I'm better now.

      Delete
  19. Série maravilhosa de fotografias.
    As orquídeas são um sonho!...

    Bom fim de semana!
    Beijinhos.
    ╰✿づه° ·.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sí, Ines, las orquideas son lindas, gracias!

      Delete
  20. Your winter garden looks fantastic, Nadezda !!
    I love orchids, your orchids are really beautiful!
    Happy Sunday !

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by Nadezda's Northern Garden blog!
I'm glad to read your friendly comments very much.
Feel free to comment on the posts or photos
I warmly welcome the new followers on my blog.