Banyan Orchid

What a surprise this was. This orchid was just thrown into the base of my Banyan tree because I didn’t have time to split it or find it a proper home. So, years go by and I forget about it, except I do notice it is climbing up the trunk of the tree. It never blooms but makes great foliage, so I let it be. Then I come home from work one afternoon and I see some color peeking out from what has become a mass of orchid foliage. I pull some of the leaves back and viola, this is what is in hiding. Honestly, it took my breath away. Other than being an orchid, I have no idea what it is (someone receiving this email will tell me, I just know it).




I don’t want you to think I am neglectful of my plants, but most of the time I have more than I can care for. I’m pretty sure this was one of the plants that came from a liberation raid that my friend Leslie and I made to Pine Island. Someone she knew was going to bulldoze acres covered in bamboo, and we were permitted to save what we could. Besides bamboo, there were orchids, bromeliads, and other tropicals. We hacked, and sawed, and hauled as much as we could. I think Leslie was probably much more realistic and prudent than I and only took what she could manage at home. I, on the other hand, acted like a kid with my hand in a candy jar; I had too much to be able to get my hand out of the jar but I just couldn’t let go of one piece.



Now I’m glad I wasn’t prudent. Sometimes it really is OK to take more than you need or can handle.



If you get the opportunity this weekend, go ahead and let yourself have more than you can handle. You might be surprised.