Oops, sorry! I wasn't referring to the word patio but to the warmer
weather you must have over there. Whilst there are several species we
can put outside during our summer, I don't know of any that would flower
outside - although this year was really wet with three months continual
rain from the beginning of May right through to the end of July. As a
result I have to keep most of my plants in our south-east facing
conservatory (much to my wife's annoyance!).

However, I am having spectacular success this year with my cymbidiums. I
left them outside last summer and had a total of one flower spike on
four plants. I did the same again this year - but every time I watered
my garden plants with liquid tomato feed I gave my cymbidium plants a
good dosing as well (taking the view it would either kill or cure them).

The results look like being spectacular. I recently checked them over
and brought them inside. The plant which flowered last year now has
four spikes on even though it is only a smallish plant. Indeed, when I
looked at it again the other day I think I see a fifth coming through,
although it could be new leaves. Still - fingers crossed for a blooming
beautiful December-January on this one. The other three plants also all
have flower spikes, each plant with either three or four. As these were
'presents' from people who had been given them but hadn't managed to get
them to re-flower I will be interested to see what colour they are.

Still droning on... as a matter of interest, the first plant I mentioned
came out of the bottom of a wastepaper bin at one of my local garden
centres. I recognised the leaves popping through the rubbish as I was
at the checkout, asked whether it was an orchid and when they said it
was rather cheekily rebuked them for throwing away such a handsome (and
expensive) plant and asked if I could have it. To my surprise - and my
young daughter's obvious embarrassment - they said I could.

While I am at it, I bought the attached Rossioglossum Grandiflora at our
local Solihull Orchid Society annual members auction in August for the
princely sum of £3.00 ($6.00 to you). Kept it watered and warm in the
conservatory and within a few weeks sent up buds which have turned out
like this...





In message , Wendy7
writes
Thanks Peter, would you call it a verandah?
Cheers Wendy
"Peter Cliff" wrote in message
...

Hi Wendy

On the patio... you can tell you don't live in the UK!

Nice grouping

Peter




-- Peter Cliff
Publishing Editor
Fisheries.co.uk



--
Peter Cliff
Publishing Editor
Fisheries.co.uk