Growing My First Orchid Plant In My Garden.

I have been interested in growing orchids for a long time. It all started when I saw my brother-in-law growing so many varieties of orchids in his garden. I know there is a lot of time and work involved in keeping the orchid plants healthy and blooming well. But what attracts me most is the beautiful and long lasting flowers of the different varieties of orchid.

One day a church friend asked me whether I would like to adopt this wild orchid plant from her garden. Initially I was hesitant about it because I do not know how to care for orchid plants. Once someone gave me 2 pots of "dancing ladies" but they died after some time due to neglect. Since then, I have not tried growing orchids again. In the end, I accepted the plant after much encouragement from my friend.

2 to 3 days later, I found the leaves turning yellow and started to drop off. This could be due to a few reasons that I could think of. 1st, it was exposed to direct sunlight, from morning to midday sun. 2nd, not enough water and 3rd, it could be due to sudden change of environment. I quickly shifted the orchid plant to a more shaded and cooler place, hoping it could be restored to health.

I continue to water it thoroughly once a day. New leaves then started to grow. One morning, I was excited to see 3 flower buds appearing on the bare stalks.

This is how the flower buds looked like.

A close up look of the flower bud.

 2 newly, but not yet fully opened orchid flowers. I do not know the name of this orchid plant. Hoping for someone to come up with the name of this orchid plant.

(4 March, 2016 - 2 days after this post was published 2 readers contacted me to give me the names of this orchid plant. Thank you, dear readers for providing the names. Scientific name is Dendrobium Anosmum. Common name is Sanggumay. The lighter colour flower is called the Pigeon Orchid and its scientific name is Dendrobium Crumenatum).

This orchid plant is now under semi shade with some exposure to the morning sun.

So far, I have not fed it with any fertilizer yet. 

I will have to go to the nearby plant nursery to seek some advice on the right fertilizer for this orchid.

I love the different shades of purple on the flowers. This round, it blooms 3 flowers. Hope for more flowers in the near future.

Can you see the fine tiny hairs on the center petal?

The flower looks like a hungry chick with its mouth wide open, wanting to be fed.

For it was I, Jehovah your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
Only test me! Open your mouth wide and see if I won't fill it.
You will receive every blessing you can use!
(Psalm 81:10, The Living Bible-TLB)