Lynn, I almost lost these orchids over 3 years ago and baby orchids started sprouting back, they were only a little over an inch long. My mom advised me to give them a chance to survive by attaching to the plumerias (and later oak trees). They were so small I just used the bread ties (wih no medium) to keep them attached to my plumerias. I didn't really expect them to survive. (I think I lost 2 varieties out of 5 I had originally). Then a year after they were a few inches long, the roots wrapped around my plumeria trees and gave me a couple blooms...Now, (a little over 3 years after my experiment) they are taller than my Dwarf and compact plumerias so as added support, I wrapped their rootball with pantyhose and added some barks, they loved it and bloomed like crazy.

Last month. I was able to harvest orchids to share for my neighbor's 60th birthday from my plumeria orchid garden

Gigi that is amazing. I cannot get Plumerias to bloom and I cannot keep Orchids alive long enough to bloom again. I need to move from this cold town. I wish I had warmer weather longer.

Come to Fl Cinta, I can only grow Dendrobiums from the local stores myself. I have a few Cattleya but other orchids, the fancy ones don't do well with me too.

No Gigi I cannot do Florida it is too humid. I probably have to die to get the perfect weather that I want. San Francisco came close. But I do need to see snow Christmas Eve regardless of where I end up. But Christmas day I want it to be 70.

That truly is amazing Gigi.

You're so lucky to have thriving orchids!
I have some on my West facing windowsill behind net curtains. They're not thriving but I think they tolerate it!
But I am in the UK what was I expecting ha ha ha 😂

I showed you my pineapple about two weeks ago. It is growing

Pia, it only worked when I attached them to my plumeria trees. I'm experimenting on my indoor phals right now (I bought a 4 foot tall Draceana (corn plant and attached 3 phals on it) not sure yet if they will like it because phals like being rootbound.

Kellie, that is growing nicely! Mine doesn't have fruit this year, maybe next year.

Had to get this one in as this is my last planting for this coming Fall season. I ripped out everything that was in this blue pot last year and started all over again.

In this last planting are , clockwise outside of Ornamental Cabbage 'Pigeon White':
Pennisetum a. 'Little Bunny',
Ilex c. 'Dwarf Pagoda',
Lonicera p. 'Lemon Beauty',
Hebe 'Red Edge' and

Blue Pot in 2014 and now in 2015 for upcoming Fall:

Both arrangements are beautiful, Bev! You have it out front, right?

I love the one with the ornamental cabbage Bev

Just love that ornamental cabbage arrangement.

Beautiful

Great job Bev, I wish it were not so late in the season or I might try that.

They are SIMPLY MARVELOUS !!!

Thanks all for your kind feedback!

I agree with Cinta about weather - I'd like it to snow Christmas Eve and melt Boxing Day, lol I've actually had that once or twice even up here in Peterborough, ON.

Here are pics of my containers. I'm in the process of taking them apart to see what I want to bring in for the winter either to overwinter the roots/bulbs or as house plants. One of the largest containers started out with a very sickly geranium I had over wintered the previous year - it was little more than a couple of sticks - and it, together with the Wandering Jew I put in the planter almost totally overwhelmed the 2 Rigour Begonias I had put in from those I over wintered the previous year as houseplants, 2 small annual begonias, and a Dracena. I put a variegated Nasturtium in one of my window boxes and it too went nuts but has totally died off leaving a large hole. Another planter I picked up late in the season as a garden centre was closing for the season has an Elephant Ears I will store the bulb of but also a Hosta I'm just not quite sure where I will find a spot for. The light green Elephant Ears has a funny growth on one of the leaves.

















and finally, the types of planters I do for the winter months - to get the colour, faded blooms were painted with acrylic outdoor craft paint.

Lin they are all Gorgeous. Elephant Ears are one of my favorite container plants. They really give you the drama (Thriller) for the container. I use them and Cannas a lot for long summer drama and color.

Can you take a close up pic of the elephant ear that you said there is a strange growth? What is the pot made of in your first Pic?

Lin wow they are like professional, nursery bought planter combo.

with Gigi. That's what I thought too when I looked at each photo. Some of the bold creations looked like they were fun to do. And I've never heard of painting old blooms but if they keep well structurally, why not extend the beauty to enjoy!
Happy deconstructing and planning for next year's creative plantings, Lin!