The Cycle of Life

I have a fondness for orchids. Actually, they have a fondness for me. They weren’t a flower I was particularly attracted to, but once they took a liking to me, my fondness for them grew over time.

I worked for Eitel’s Florist. I started work there in November of 2011. I began in the design room where I learned a lot about the art of floral design. Eventually, I moved to the front of the store where the gifts, coolers of flowers, and plant room were. Along with all the care needed to maintain these areas, I worked directly with customers. One of my most favorite responsibilities was providing special care to the variety of plants we had to offer for every occasion. 

Once I found out that unsold orchids were thrown out after they quit flowering, I asked my boss if I could take them home to rehabilitate them. She graciously allowed me to do that.

What I actually learned though was that orchids don’t need rehabilitation. Orchids only need time, sunshine, a little water, and some lovin’. And they all responded by blooming again and again. I had one orchid bloom for 6 months at one stretch. At one point, I had twenty orchids “rehabilitating” in my sunroom. 

D and I recently moved my orchids from the kitchen to the laundry room. D set up a rack in front of the south window and now my plants are displayed beautifully. I enjoy them so much more than when they were in the kitchen. They have really brightened the laundry room and are actually thriving much better. 

I am down to seven orchids now. That’s the least I’ve had in over a decade. Out of the seven orchids, five are currently blooming and a sixth will bloom within a couple of weeks. One plant has not bloomed in a very long time. I still have hope.

I have concern with one orchid though. I’ve had it for years and I think it’s just tired.

It is blooming now but I’m thinking it is perhaps saying goodbye with one final bloom. It had two leaves but dropped one of them and the other is discolored. It makes me sad, but I guess this is the cycle of life. On a brighter note, it’s given me years of joy.

Plants have always been a huge part of my life. Below are some pictures of my old sunroom and the joys it held. The room went through several transformations over the eleven years I lived there.

I love my little garden area now. I’ve greatly condensed the amount of plants that I have. I miss my old sunroom but it’s okay. I put hours into taking care of plants over the years. Now it’s time to do other things.

The cycle of life, I suppose.

♥️

Andi