I wouldn't rush into the planting until you see what comes up this spring. Lots of the spring bulbs and flowers are just starting to pop up in that part of the country due to the late winter. You might be digging things up that you want to keep.

Rule of thumb is always wait a year and see what pops up and to watch the pattern of the sun. But, that is SO hard to do. I have never been able to do it.

Sounds like fun!!

Thanks for the suggestions. Yes I will go slowly, maybe a three year plan to initiate the re-do.
Then evaluate where I am, what works, what didn't and go from there.
I will spend the next four months just coming up with a plan. However, I thought that a rock garden was a good starting point due to its size limits.

While the junk haulers were here this morning I off loaded and set up my orchids on my patio. Temperature today was a high of 83 degrees

That looks wonderful!!

I am thinking about going back closer to the fence and make a "L" shaped area. The long side could be against the house for example and I would get lower sun closer the the fence, and more sun away from the fence. As you look at the fence, you face west. South is towards the house. North is to the right or the back yard.

What we won't do for the love of orchids! Take me for example...

Jim

Oh yes!

Here are a couple of shots of my backyard.
Heard a House Wren today and saw a Wood Thrush, two birds that are wonderful to see. Much better then Starlings.
The fence has a few orchids on it. It is weathered but sturdy. After I left my home shortly after noon, I stopped and got a little hardware which will enable me to hang my wire closet shelving on the fence and in turn, orchids in the fence.
I forgot. Fence will get sunshine from early morning until two in the afternoon.

I can just see this in a couple of months from now! Pretty blooming stuff from ear to ear!! I love it!

Sounds like a good plan to me.

Jim

Something happened brand new today. Now in Florida I had numerous lizards and tree frogs visit the orchids. Being in the pool cage, there seemed to be a certain normalcy to that.
But now in Michigan I have a bird visiting my orchids, not to propagate or pollinate them but to look for food. Now I heard a House Wren calling in my backyard last Friday when I was here with my son Matt. Well just a little while ago I heard him, or her, again. The next thing I knew it was bouncing around on both shelves going up and down the psuedobulbs and canes looking for insects.
Bird was moving quickly and I was about 30' away in my den but now I need to get a picture of it in the orchids but it is so incredibly quick and equally as small!!

Don't let that bird tunnel into your Orchids to make a nest, please.

Birds do help with the bug issues, but I agree with Ursula. They also like to steal coir or sphagnum moss for nesting material...and drop weed seeds in the pots.

They have no qualms about yanking plants and media out of pots.

When this first came before my team today at the monthly judging, I was really excited. The flowers looked to be very large and darker then normal, or so I thought.



This Leptotes bicolor was one of the largest I have ever seen! Even the leaves were heavier and stouter. We all were talking about it being a tetraploid. But when we took measurements, it compared favorably with a few other recent clones. Segment width was almost a half centimeter wider. But with increased size came problems, some of which were hard to ignore. It had broader segments but these segments had a pronounced inward roll to them. Less so to the sepals then the petals but we all noticed it. Recent awards were flatter. I just adored the lip but it was really typical in terms of recent awards.
This plant was on a piece of cork with approximately 25-30 growths and 7 flowers and 8 buds on 8 inflorescences. Flowers were 7.4 cm. wide by 7.8 cm. tall.
We ended up passing on it.

The second plant that came before us, you might all recognize.


This plant had 16 flowers and 11 buds on five inflorescences with two immature inflorescences. Bletilla striata, according to the Orchid Wiz had one other award. It was NOT a flower quality award. We looked at it and a team member nominated it for a flower quality award. It was scored 78 points.
It should be noted that the plant appeared to be a "dug-up" as it was placed in a hideous white bucket with writing all over it.

I really like that Leptotes bicolor, awarded or not.

Jim

The Leptotes looks nice held like that, normally they are upside down in all sorts of orientation.
Pretty Bletilla!