Tell her I'm looking forward to meeting her, Francine! I think we all are an awe of anybody who has success with orchids -- Lisa, Terri's SIL Bonnie, my neighbor Rhonda. I wish Orchidfancy had made the transition from DG with us.
BTW, an orchid that I bought MIL last Mother's Day is putting out some buds! Not due to my care at all... I did not cut off its bloom stalk, because it was still green and because I do not fuss with houseplants... lo and behold, a side shoot developed and got buds when I wasn't looking! Those phals from Aldi are TOUGH. Her Valentine's Day one was in full bloom (no unopened buds) when purchased and just last week dropped a dried-up blossom. One. The rest still look great. If they have them in time for the seed swap next year, I will pick some up for us!
I didn't really mean to start chatting about orchids. Did you notice how adroitly I brought the above paragraph back around (kicking & screaming) to swaps?
