Hello!

Good morning, Orchid! Long time no see. What a beautiful design. There are 7 more buds on the plant. Should keep us entertained till Christmas!

At last!

Finally, my dear old orchid is opening its first bud. I had thought I just couldn't manage them and that it was my fault it hadn't flowered for so long. That could still be true but I'm delighted to have got this far!

It has to open today

Still waiting

The colour is deepening so it shouldn't be too long. I moved the three orchid plants together to show the different size of blooms.

Nearly there!

Okay, we're still waiting but the individual petals are quite clear now and the streaks of colour are becoming more defined. How did it figure all of this out on its own? Surely it has to be open by tomorrow!

Harvest

Meanwhile, the pigeons have discovered that the barley in the field beside us is ready for harvesting. I saw a Combine passing by an hour ago. The place could look different tomorrow.

Still waiting!

I can't believe it. This orchid is testing even my patience! Still not open. I love watching the development though. Maybe tomorrow.

That first orchid

This orchid was my birthday present from Mary 2 or 3 years ago. It's so long since it flowered, I can't remember what it's going to be like. The flower spike has been developing for the last 2 months at least. I think the first flower is ready to open tomorrow. I thought the same yesterday - and the day before. You just can't rush orchids. I like them for that.

Harvest

Preparing the runner beans. Good year for them but peas were a washout!

Orchids

As promised, here are the new blooms. Now awaiting blooms on my first orchid, first time in two years.

Time to take down the birthday cards!

I suppose two months later it's time to remove the birthday cards! This is a nice way to remember them.

Cacti

Introducing my little family of Cacti. The collection is very young and very small. I have no experience of growing them, so it'll be interesting to see if I can manage to get them to maturity.