First Phalaenopsis orchid to bloom this spring
We have many Phalaenopsis orchids but this is the first one to bloom this year. I looked at my photos last year and by this time most were in bloom so they're late this year. I wonder what accounts for the difference in bloom time?
The photos were taken in sunlight streaming through a bathroom window. The slanting afternoon light was just right, highlighting the flowers. Lots of shadows too because of the direction of the light but it adds to the drama.
Joey of the Village Voice blog beat me to it. She posted great photos of her Phalaenopsis. Check them out.
Here's our pal the Marmorated stink bug hiding between the petals of the orchid.
posted by Ki at
5:21 AM
13 Comments:
These are great photographs, Ki! You have a beautiful orchid here. I have the same one - received it in Dec and it still has two blooms left. There are three new buds about to open.
I just visited Joey's - her photos are good too. I like yours as well because you've taken them from a variety of angles.
Say hi to the stink bug for me. Any more visits from the night-time masked bandit?
Wonderful photographs. These look just beautiful! I need to try orchids again they are so irresistible. I love the lighting you took the photos in, it's so soft and makes the orchid flowers glow.
Thank you for the kind words, Ki. I'm very impressed with your photo shoot, especially since your orchids are re-blooms. My plant was recently purchased from Costco. Since February is 'National Orchid Month', I have posted several of my favorites. You should be pleased, these are beautifully captured shots. On these long winter days, like you I get 'itchy' for the outdoors so I grab my camera and shoot my 'indoor garden'.
Great photos of your beautiful orchid, Ki. I wish I had the space and conditions for growing them.
That was sneaky - let us roll down, loving the creamy petals against the dramatic background, then let that stink bug steal the last spot! Nice photos, Ki!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Those are quite possibly the most beautiful phalaenopsis photos I've ever seen.
Thank you all for your kind and encouraging comments. The light on the orchid was magical. One could hardly miss getting a good shot and I'm not being modest. A pro with a DSLR could have produced some wondrous photos.
Hi Kate,
I saw your lovely orchid in full bloom and am surprised you still have more buds to bloom. That's the nice thing about orchids, the flowers last for a very long time. Thanks for the nice comment.
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Hi Vanilla Lotus,
The sun was low in the sky and produced the wonderful light. Phalaenopsis orchids are fairly easy to grow so they are a good starter orchid and are sold almost everywhere. Just be sure to pick out one that has healthy thick green leaves. Thanks for stopping by.
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Hi Joey,
Thanks for the info on the dark background in your photos. I also love the way your orchid was lit so evenly. I thought you set up some photoflood lights or several electronic flash units to capture the shots. It's nice to see the almost same orchid shot with different lighting. I love that mustard yellow speckled moth orchid in your most recent post. I'll have to shoot our dark purple vanda to keep up. Thanks for visiting.
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Hi Carolyn,
We use indoor portable greenhouses to keep the humidity high with fans at the bottom to circulate the air. Unfortunately they do take up quite a bit of space especially prime window space. They do require a bit of care but the flowers are so long lasting and wonderful it's worth the effort to grow them. We tried growing them before without the greenhouses but the dry air in winter was not kind to the orchids. Thanks for your very nice comment.
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Hello Nancy,
Thank you very much for your kind comment. As I mentioned previously the lighting was so good it was hard to miss. Thanks for visiting my blog. I've added your link. I'm so pressed for time, I've visited your blog but have never left a comment. I will do so soon.
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Hi Annie,
That's me, sneaky! I thought that would make a nice transition (note I've restrained myself from using the well worn "segue") from the previous post. Glad you liked the photos.
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Thanks, Kylee. Now how can I possibly top that? Do take a look at Joey's photos. Her photos of almost the same flowers are quite spectacular.
These are very beautiful! Even love the bug. :)
Hi Lisa Marie,
Thanks. I am in a quandry about the bug...it is a nasty pest so should I squish it or let it be? It's trying so hard to be inconspicuous but it's not very good at concealment, choosing a showy orchid for a hiding place.
Lovely flower and photos. Lighting really do play such a great part of getting exceptional photos.
I solve my not want to squash bugs issue by throwing them into the wild bushes LOL.
You did really well with these photos. I hope to go to the NY Orchid show this weekend.
Oh my... Ki, these photos are gorgeous! Great job--and thanks for sharing them.
Thanks Nicole. I just read a photo book which said light was the most important element in photography. Essentially no light no photo. More complex than that but the author was trying to emphasize looking at and evaluating the quality of light/lighting before doing anything with the camera.
You will go to Buddhist/bug heaven if there's such a thing. Or at least reincarnated into a higher being for not squishing bugs. Me I'm already in Japanese beetle hell! :)
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Hi Chris,
I hope to see lots of orchid photos on your blog. Will remember to visit often. This was a very common Phalaenopsis but the light was exceptional. I really think I should look into experimenting with some flash units but I don't have a hot shoe so I don't know if it's possible.
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Thanks Kim. Some of the other orchids are slowly coming into bloom but by then Spring will be fully upon us and most of my energies will be spent outdoors but I hope to post more pictures. Hopefully the nice raking light will still be there. Thanks for stopping by.
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