I must have been super exhausted – I forgot to hit publish last Thursday.

Wow!  I worked 13 hours today. I asked for a little less work while I get my health back in order . . . got the opposite.  Rapid change organizations are like that – so buckle your seatbelt.

Not a bad day today in the yard.  Sweet sixteen in bloom.  Had 9 this day last year – and was doing my repotting project all around them.  125 daylilies put in pots and buried between 8/1 and 9/1.  Where did I get that energy?  I had 10 in bloom this day in 2016 and 7 in 2015.  Today wins!

My orchids do take a little energy.  I have thought about talking about them a bit on the blog as the daylilies wind down.  I have an experiment going with having them outside under a shade and a mister.  I am not sure on my results yet.  Seemed like in May they all started throwing out new roots, but sort of stopped.  They are putting out leaves – but smaller than their old leaves (the phals, that is).  Stressed – the heat.  But, I want to play it through til fall to see.  I wish the monsoons had shown up.

Orchids are such slow growers . . . such patience.  But, the blooms are big and bold – and last for months.  My vanda is in bloom out on the front porch now.  (Who said you can’t grow orchids outside in Colorado in a drought.) My dendrobiums hang from a tree out front – lots of new growth.  I have oncidiums, cattleyas, cymbidiums, and a ground orchid under the mister with the phals – all doing well.  I’m using my indoor back porch for phals, too.  When you convert to water culture, the orchids lose most their roots – so many of mine need to grow new water-adapted roots before fall. I only put phals and oncidiums in full water culture. (That is a topic for later.)   Inside, I have phals, catts, oncidium family, miltonioptis,  miltonias, zygos, a phrag and a paph.  Oh, and some cuttings off rarer ones that I am trying to grow.

Vanda Orchid in bloom in Colorado

After all the daylily roots that I have ordered, I finally ordered an orchid from Hawaii.  If you follow my blog, you know I love the southwest named daylilies.  Well, with my bonus (that isn’t going to my doctors), I ordered a catt named Bryce Canyon. She will fit right in!

And, so my mind starts to shift to thinking about fall.  Friends are asking for daylily divisions.  Yes, it is almost time to divide so the plants grow more buds next year and others can enjoy the beauty.  I wish I could clone myself and work 6 hour days 🙂  In no way am I ready for my camping trip tomorrow.

Finales:

Moon Over Chimayo 8.2

Twirling Pinata 8.2

Indian Love Call – 8.2 Finale on her rebloom