Epi. porpax
Blogging and weekly orchid inspections took a backseat to a little summer R&R during the last couple of weeks. The only visible damage to the collection that I can find so far is a cattleya once hung in the apple tree was blown to ground, pot broken and bark scattered. The orchid itself, C. Chocolate Drop ‘NOK’, is a vigorous plant with several still-intact sheaths.
In mid September I’m making plans to winterize the greenhouse and to bringing in the orchids that summered in the backyard. Last week, I purchased a new roll of sealing tape – the kind I use to secure the plastic sheeting that covers the louvered windows – from FarmTek.
My goal will be to get the plants in before the windows need to be sealed. That way they can become acclimated to the closed environment and still benefit by the opened windows. I think they adjust better to the airtight confinement of greenhouse existence than when I wait until the last possible moment – that is, the day before the first hard freeze – to bring them into a sealed and furnace heated greenhouse.
One little plant that has remained in the greenhouse all winter is Epi. porpax. As the photo shows, it’s now in full bloom.
Awesome-looking epi.! I can relate to what you said about orchid blogging taking a back seat to actual orchid care. I end up feeling guilty one way or another….