Are They Better Off Without Me?

[Mehera]

Hello all! Just returned from my 2 week trip. I had been worried that they would miss being watered on schedule, but lots of plants bloomed in my absence! I'm tempted to think they don't need me, but I notice most of the little buggers are pretty dried out, so am assuming they are glad that I am back!

[mtequine]

Wowee! Those are lovely Lynda! (maybe I should leave for a couple weeks....LOL). Glad you're back, hope you had a fantastic trip!

[Molly Taco]

Welcome Home, Lynda. How was your trip? Looks like the chids didn't miss you at all. Actually they gave you a great welcome home surprise.
Cin

[Becky15349]

Funny how when we just leave the plants alone for a bit, they seem to do even better!! My professor used to call it the "Oh my god, I might die, so I'm going to make flowers" syndrome, when the plants were so close to drying out (death to them!) that they needed to send out flowers immediately. I may try that with my plants- just to see what happens!! ;-)

[smartie2000]

definitely sometimes stress stimulates bud formation...
Sometimes it can be an indicator of minor stress if a plant is budding abnormally, like a paph budding on a small growth (although the grower doesn't know because he's too happy)
BTW beautiful pictures. The phal in the bottom right corner reminds me of one I saw at my local orchid show. I love that pattern on the petals!

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

WOWWWWW!!!

What a stunning display of orchid beauty! Beautifully gorgeous photos as well! I am glad that you share them with us. This is why I like orchids so much. You can leave them fending for their own for a week or two, you come back and you can pick things up right where you leave them! And they still love you!
Lynda, it looks like you got the knack of growing orchids in no time at all!

Many Cheers. Hoa.

[murgdan]

Wonderful--
In May I'm going away for 3 1/2 weeks (can't come soon enough)---but I think that's TOO long to leave them without water. I'm going to try and train my stepmom to give a few waterings.

What a great thing to return home to after your trip---nice pictures. Who's the little red catt on the bottom left?

[Elena]

Ooooh lots of pretty blooms! Love the Phychopsis.

[Piper]

You brat! Your Psychopsis is in bloom!

I'm just jealous. I have two in spike, that have been that way for months...they're just messing with me!

A little benign neglect often triggers plants to bloom. I'm glad yours took the hint! And that really is a stunning collage of color. What a great sight to return to! You may not have the sun, warmth and green of Florida, but your chids sure love ya!

McJulie

[Petalsofsugar]

Oh Wow, such beautiful blooming buggers! They look like they bloomed to get your attention for not watering them. I think they still need you though.

Julie