We like orchids. We have few. In fact we have about as many as we can fit onto our desks without making it completely impossible to use the desks for their intended purpose. (Nine.) Some have been with us for years, others are more recent additions.

Some flower, some don’t. Well, they all have flowers when you buy them – I’ve never seen anyone try to sell an orchid without flowers – but not all of them have flowered again. Our phalaenopsis has been flowering almost constantly for the last few years: a new stalk shoots up before the previous one has even lost its last flower. One of our oncidiums seemed to feel great for over two years, growing a massive bundle of roots and leaves, to the point where it needs the support of three thick books to remain upright, but just wouldn’t flower. Then suddenly a month ago it finally produced an impressive array of bright yellow flowers. Another, much smaller oncidium took no time at all to flower again, but only came up with half a dozen flowers on a stalk so short that you could barely see it among all the leaves.

Here is the large oncidium at its best, and a close-up of its impressive roots (and a toddler in the background):

Here’s one whose name I have forgotten:

And here is the phalaenopsis, trying to fight its way through the window, closer to the light: