Is it yours to tell? ToolsLetter #108

It was the single ugliest plant I'd ever seen.

What I couldn't figure,
is what it was doing on my mom's kitchen table.
I mean, really.

It had these gosh-awful, alien-looking roots poking up everywhere but where they were supposed to be (in the plant pot, for instance), and it had these gargantuan, thick leaves. And it just sat there, squatting with its finger-like roots reaching out.

Orchid Roots

That was my first up-close experience with an orchid plant. Now they don't all look like that - mostly just the Phalaenopsis. And, as my mom explained, they have these amazing, long-lasting blooms. And, IF YOU PURCHASE THE RIGHT ONES FOR YOUR CLIMATE AND LIGHT CONDITIONS, they don't require a lot of care.

Spotted orchid

I grew to fall in love with these plants mainly because they didn't just up and die when I forgot to water them. I took steps to learn about them. I found a free class in a town nearby. I asked my always-finds-great-deals-at-garage-sales dad to watch for a fish tank for me that I could use as a growing place for my new-found plants. I got a couple books. And I got some orchids. The ones that grow well in Colorado, with relatively lower light conditions, and do ok without special lights, carefully regulated temperature and humidity. I like them, yes, and as I already mentioned, I'm not a good plant scientist. I know my limits.

They are simply an amazing plant. Their roots are typically thick and wax-like. When water hits the root, it will turn from gray to green. When it's green, the cells are opening up to accept and drink in the water. As it dries out, it gets gray and shuts down so as not to lose the humidity!

I now have over 25 plants in a huge glass tank in my front window. Drive by, and you'll see them.

Now, the question is - what does this have to do with anything?

Striped orchid

Well, 2 things, actually.

1) Sometimes, I have felt like the orchid.
Kind of like the ugly duckling. Sitting and sitting for months, and sometimes years, before blooming. Reaching out awkwardly for nutrients and water. You see, many of them do not grow in soil in nature. They grow roots up, flowers down, hanging off of trees in the rain forest. They thrive off of the humidity in the air. We put them in pots for convenience, and we've actually just made them grow upside down.

I feel like I did that for a lot of years. I was stuck, personally, and professionally, and now, after I took steps to make changes, I'm growing "right side up" and blooming!!

2) It takes time.
I started with my orchids over 4 years ago. This year, I was treated to over 1/3 of my plants blooming at the same time. My dad came and took photos so that I could share them with you (make sure you "right-click to download pictures" and enjoy!)

Orchid fade

Whatever dream you have in your heart...
That one thing you've always wanted to try...
Take some baby steps toward it.
Learn about it.
Grow it.
Water it.
Practice.
Give it some time.

(If it really doesn't work, or simply isn't what you thought it would be,
try something else!)

Then, enjoy the "blooms" of doing SOMETHING different!

Wide orchid group

Build the life you REALLY want.