Orchid, round two

Two summers ago, I was living in a tiny, dark apartment that technically sat in the chic Des Moines South of Grand neighborhood (the apartment was oh, about 50 feet south of Grand Ave, so it counted). With my main windows on the north side of the apartment and two high and wide windows in my south-facing bedroom, it wasn’t exactly renowned for its bright, airy feeling. Despite being on the third floor, it felt really cave-like most days.

Undeterred by this, I was determined to grow a house plant. I picked up a pretty potted orchid and read up on proper orchid care. I bought worm poop spray and made sure the soil was really loose. The orchid’s first home was my kitchen table, right in front of those silly north-side windows. It wasn’t long before the petals were falling off and I decided to try the armoire in my bedroom, closer to the tiny southern windows. It was too late; soon I was left with a curved stick in a pot of loose, worm-poop infused dirt.

Now, equipped with a home with windows on all four sides (!), I’m trying again. We picked up this little guy at the fundraiser we went to Saturday; they were selling the centerpieces and we were sadly outbid on all of the silent auction packages we tried for.

He’s perched on our dresser, where he can soak up rays from windows on the north, east and south sides. It’s been two days, and the poor little flower has already survived a trip to the local watering hole after the auction and a certain pesky cat. He seems hardy and determined to keep our bedroom looking classy!

What houseplants liven up your world?