Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - November 2013

After 1 and 1/2 year break I'm starting to write again. Thankfully, there is enough time because I quit My Terrible Job.

Today's bloom day is indoors-only. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm happy to announce that I can consider myself a True Orchid Grower.
One of my Cattleyas (which is not an easy kind of plant, let me tell you) is blooming! Weeeee!!




Next will be my Oncidium orchids. While I'm fairly used to seeing Sharry Baby's flowers (red ones), the Gower Ramsey guy blooms for the first time in 2 years. This plant is also known in my house as "Bloom, dammit!"




Also, Christmas Cactus. Also known as Thanksgiving Cactus. This guy out-did itself this year. It's blooming non-stop for a month now, starting around Columbus Day . There are still some un-opened buds left.



The secret to all of this? I removed blinds from my window completely. My first floor apartment window looks like a florist shop but the result is worth it. Light levels top around 3,000 foot-candles which is around the lower limit for Cattleyas to bloom.