57:365 It's an Orchid

Today I went to the Hausermann Orchids' open house. I can't believe I didn't write down the name of this orchid. If anyone knows what it is, please tell me! It's not the one I came home with.

I knew that orchids are popular. I had no idea just how popular. Orchids by Hausermann is gigantic. I'm not kidding. I got there, and there were guys directing traffic in the parking lot.


African violets used to be America's favorite blooming houseplant. I'm reasonably sure that orchids have taken over that spot.

Hausermann also had African violets - tables of them! They were all Optimara's, which I love, but none of them were marked with their number or name - unfortunately, that makes it impossible for me to show them, and I rarely give shelf space to stuff I can't show. Optimara has a great website and they say you can ID their violets online - but that is not always reliable. Oh well - they were lovely to see - and we all know that I don't need any more violets ;-D



There were a really lot of orchids in this place. Acres of them. Here are some not in bloom (obviously).







And here are a few that are.






I came home with the bark I need to repot the three orchids that I have, and I also bought one little phalaenopsis. It's called Phalaenopsis schillieriana. I think it might be a species rather than a hybrid. All I know is that it's pink :-) I liked its photo and I think it will look nice with the other ones I have, both of which have green in their blossoms. I did see a blue one in the first room that had a beautiful scent - sort of like pansies. I wish I would have gotten one of it, too.

A very nice man named Joel helped me with some info - he was doing a repotting demonstration. I had taken photos of my three orchids with me to ask some questions. Joel was most helpful, and I feel like I can repot these babies now . . . cross your fingers.

I was gifted with something called a Hawaiian Bamboo Orchid - a friend of mine brought it back from a recent trip to Hawaii. According to Joel, I am going to have to wait a very long time for it to bloom. Apparently this plant grows to about 5' in height before it even thinks about blooming . . . that ought to be interesting :-D

So - I have two phalaenopsis orchids now, and one oncidium along with the Hawaiian one. Will see how it goes. I do love growing things :-)


Here is the photo that was my second choice for today's 365 shot. I choose the white orchids because they are so unique - but these are awfully beautiful, too, aren't they?

Hausermann's is a place I would definitely visit again . . .