My mom loves collecting houseplants and my dad has a green thumb. Even though Dad protests whenever Mom comes home with yet another plant, I know he enjoys growing whatever it is. The two of them basically feed off each other. They have plants come from everywhere and nowhere – purchased, gifted, abandoned by friends, sickly charity cases, random seeds that fly and land in his pots when he takes them outside during the summer. This borderline plant-hoarding I’ve observed makes me extra vigilant about not over-packing our place with plants because I’ve seen the results. There comes a point when a house becomes overtaken by too many orchids and you know you’ve reached it when the bathtub with an east-facing window is converted into a greenhouse. Despite how careful I am, we’ve still managed to end up with a jungle by our sunniest window. I swear I only meant to grow a little spider plant and a mini-orchid (which is a replacement of another one I had done in last year). The rest of the plants just seemed to come out of nowhere! Two came from our neighbors who are in the midst of redecorating and refurnishing, the aloe and chili pepper plant came from a coworker who appealed to my practical side, insisting I can eat these things, and the zz plant was purchased with the intent of going to a lovely spacious office that needed some greenery. It never made it into said office, outgrew it’s pot, and now has a permanent spot by the window. I love this oasis in the house though. It’s so calming and lush and watching them spilling out of their pots gives me a bigger sense of accomplishment than anything I do at work.

We went to Trader Joe’s and got another orchid to raise. I’m hoping to keep it alive for at least 2 years since the last one lasted only a year and a half. The lady at the check out said she’s thus far killed 8 or 9 of them which made me feel a little better.

So here’s how she looked when we brought her home this weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed!

It lasted 1.5 years. I got it to bloom once. And then, I guess it kicked the bucket from too much water? Not in the right location? I’m not sure. Yesterday I went to a house party where the hostess successfully keeps a very temperamental vanda orchid. I had greenthumb envy. She said it blooms once a year. Ah, if only… I’ll be getting another orchid. I’m determined to try again.

One drawback to balcony gardening is, it makes a mess of your balcony. Dirt, plant debris, and other detritus. I can’t help it. As much as I would like to, I can’t go pouring water on my balcony for a good scrub down without pissing off the neighbors below. Once, out of desperation, I took a vacuum cleaner to the balcony. It tore up my vacuum though so I haven’t tried it again. Talking to our neighbors, who had done some gardening on their balcony in years past, they had the same issue too so this year, they’re forgoing the balcony garden. Admittedly, I haven’t done too much on this garden this year either. Everything that is growing right now was planted last year and survived the winter.

The mint has come back strong and the leaves are broad. I will be harvesting these today for mojitos with friends! We got some very cheap rum from the Virgin Islands. There weren’t that many things worth getting in St. Thomas. How do you bottle up a beautiful beach right? We got some shot glasses, cheap rum, and that was about it.

I am starting some Thai basil soon and maybe sweet potato greens. I don’t know if our balcony gets enough sunlight for the basil, I know it likes a lot of sun but I’ll give it a try. Aside from that, I really like the perennials. It’s so nice to transition into spring with a pre-set garden. Just add water and voila!

It didn’t take a year for this orchid to bloom afterall.

It really started blooming right when we went on our trip to St. Thomas.

I have had this orchid for almost a year and despite the fact that it has been toasted crispy in the sun, dried out, drowned, and uprooted by a misbehaving 2-year old, it has thrived! Looky what it’s sprouted! This is perseverance through adversity.

I might get flowers by next year!