My Orchids

I found a new obsession. Well, not really a new one exactly, but one to take over a lot more of my time. I've had a few orchids thanks to a friend getting me obsessed for about a year and half now. A few I've had bad luck with because Lowes and Home Depot like to over water them and drown them in the disgusting moss. Last weekend I found 3 at Lowes on clearance and I had to rescue them. They were $1 each and while they look bad, they will probably bounce back over time. And if they don't, I'm only out $3. I started making it my duty to check each time I go back. Since we live far from everything, I have 1 of 3 ways I can go to stores. Last week was the one north. Earlier in the week we were to one direction south of us, and then yesterday hit the other store about 10 mins from the other. Yesterday I found 2 for $2 each, plus the one pictured below that was normal price. I felt I needed something blooming right now so I had to buy it. It has 5 new buds on it and the roots were very good so I think this will be one of the better purchases from Lowes. While I was checking out, the girl was telling me a little about them. "It's a shame these are dying. They are so pretty but they only seem to flower for a few weeks and then stop! And the sticks are starting to look like they are dying too." First of all, they are suppose to drop flowers after a few weeks. Second of all, the "stick" is the spike, and after they are done flowering, it's normal to change colors while it's done blooming. Some even come off and regrow the next season. And 3rd, they pack them in an insane amount of moss and don't know how to water them correctly. The moss was packed in so tightly that I almost broke the pot to get them out. When they over water it that way, it rots the roots. I repot all mine into clay balls and they are doing great. I wasn't about to tell her all that though, because I figure I'll check back every other week to see which ones have "died" since blooming. The 2 I got yesterday do not have tags, so it will be a nice surprise when they start to bloom next spring.
They are so pretty! I think it's a good distraction, and will make the house feel a little more peaceful. I use to have a lot of house plants, but during a move at one point I gave them to my mom and she killed them within a few months. I think it's time to start to get a new collection. My husband told me to find something to distract myself. Wonder if he realized that orchids aren't exactly a really cheap expense at first.....hehe...