I met up with my friend Sherri this morning at Hausermann’s Orchids, in Villa Park, and we had a good look around at the orchids. I have yet to be enslaved by orchids, though it’s probably just a matter of time, since they are almost ridiculously beautiful. But some have little faces, behind which they seem to be calculating the distance to my jugular, and other have creepy roots.  But I do have an overactive imagination, so maybe I just need to lighten up, orchid-wise.

I’ve learned that this type of orchid is a moth orchid, or phalaenopsis. I have read that these are good for beginners, though as someone who has been thrilled that my “phal” has grown one new leaf in two months, I’m definitely not speaking as an expert.

I had never seen this variety before–it looks like it’s been splashed with paint.

This is the vanilla orchid. Its pods are where vanilla beans come from

Even when out of bloom, orchid foliage can be striking.

This is a cattleya orchid

Sometimes this type of orchid is  called a”corsage orchid” because women used to wear them on Easter or on Mother’s Day. I can remember when they were sold at the local drugstore in a refrigerated case.

This is a pansy orchid–miltoniopsis.

This next group, in my opinion, has some of the prettiest members. They are the paphiopedilum–the slipper orchids.

Slipper orchids as far as the eye can see.

The pink flower is almost transparent.

More “paphs.”

More!

This is where my knowledge ends. All I can say with certainty is that these are orchids!

Love this color.

What did I buy? A fern! It’s called Silver Lace fern–Pteris ensiformis cv. Evergemiensis. It’s for my Wardian case. Hope your week is good. Namaste. Fran