My garden had a stormy weekend. Hurricane Sally passed within about 100 miles, hurling bands of drenching rain and wind in her wake. The air is so saturated with moisture it is difficult to describe; imagine air having a presence. I think of it as feeling the evil, hot breath of the tropical Atlantic Ocean. My slightly curly hair is literally standing on end, bigger by the moment. Given the humidity and knowledge that another hurricane is headed towards the Gulf coast, I will most likely look like I stuck my finger in the electrical socket on Monday.
The White Cattleya orchid opened on Sunday morning and was being buffeted by the winds, so I decided to cut if for a vase. The rocks are in the base of the glass vase holding the orchids in place. The title sounds a bit like a cocktail; I am trying to dream up something that tastes like an orchid, this one has a sweet fragrance and always blooms in pairs. Limoncello, Coconut Rum and something? Tonic water? Club soda? Hmmm.
Here is the bud from Saturday. I am surprised it opened so quickly and with little sunshine.
A closer view of the Cattleya, I have no idea of the variety, my neighbor gave me the orchid and I am trying not to kill it. Orchids usually meet an untimely end in my garden. Anything that needs fertilizer every two weeks is destined for demise. This one has been around for at least two years – though it is turning brown..sigh.
Happy Monday and Happy Gardening. Thinking positive thoughts for those in the path of Hurricane Sally.
Thanks to Cathy at http://www.ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com for hosting this addictive meme. Follow the link to see vases from gardens around the world.
The Shrub Queen 
I was wondering how you were doing with the storm. The orchid is just perfect.
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Thanks, alive and well in Florida, a mostly sunny day here. Thinking of those in Louisiana tonight.
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Sorry you’ve had to deal with that hurricane. My hair is sticking out in sympathy just reading about the humidity. The orchid is gorgeous.
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Here’s to big Southern hair! Hope all is well with you. Sally is gone from here. thanks..
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I’m sorry you’re facing down hurricanes, Amelia. Mother Nature has been very angry of late it seems – maybe that hot humid air is her breath. We could use some of that moisture on the west coast but it seems she’s sending it all your way. Lovely orchids anyway! The only ones I seem to have any success with are Phalaenopsis and Cymbidiums.
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Thanks, Kris. The hurricanes are fortunately far enough away we get mild weather compared to the actual storm. Juracan is the name of the Caribbean god that hurricanes are named after, god of mischief, I think it is his breath, Wishing rain your way..
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I can’t quite imagine what it feels like in that sort of storm – nor what your hair must look like!! The orchids are beautiful, and how amazingly quick they opened. Thanks for sharing
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I just asked my husband if he thought we had encountered humidity like this prior to living in Florida – no! he said. It is truly a force of nature and the presence of a disturbed ocean. I wonder if you get the cold version in the UK? I always have naturally big hair, it is just really big!
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Ah yes, the orchid which was only a bud in SoS. I’m surprised it has opened so quickly. It’s a perfect bloom.
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Me, too, Jane – maybe it wanted to get out of the rain! Thanks.
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Sweet! Cattleyas always remind me of my maternal grandmother. She loved them, they were THE corsage flower in her day. 😉
I’m not good at keeping orchids alive either (for the same reason). Just not a pamperer, I guess. My style is closer to the Darwin School of Gardening– survival of the fittest. 😉
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LOL, I wish there was a love emoji here. Darwin lives at my house..and in the garden. Orchids always make me think of my mother and grandmother and corsages – though I would sneeze so badly it wouldn’t be worth a corsage.
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Another new plant for me Amy! Just looking at the creamy white colour I can imagine something coconutty with rum…. 😉 Growing orchids outdoors sounds so incredibly foreign to someone in southern Germany, I can’t even keep them going on my windowsill!
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Hurricane Sally sounds ghastly but your hair descriptions made me smile. Lovely vase as always
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Hurricanes are not so ghastly when 100 miles away! And more orchids bloomed! Thank you ❤️
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It is pretty awesome in white. I remember these only from school in the 1980s, and almost all were sort of pinking purple.
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Such a beautiful orchid!
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Thank you.
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