THE ORCHIDARIUM HISTORY

In a forest, there is natural growth, never ordered or organized by humans. Mushrooms and vines grow here and there, little flowers in the undergrowth, and then… then a seed, maybe forgotten by a squirrel, maybe let fall by a Blue Jay, takes root.

When all conditions are proper, the root digs into the soil, deeper and deeper, and then, carefully, with tentative strength, it starts shooting up through the soil, upwards, toward the sun and air.

It can grow into a humongous tree; it can stay small, cramped by space or lack of light. But it grows. And soon, perhaps birds, perhaps butterflies and other insects, maybe even a squirrel or any other inquisitive inhabitant of the forest will come, maybe make a nest, crawl into a small hole, and have its babies there.

That is just how my Orchidarium grew.

I live in a condominium, not the best place to care for plants and animals. I had cared for a canopy of areca palm trees for more than 15 years. The green they provided was beautiful and soothing, their swaying in the wind reminding me of the ocean waves of my past.

There were birds there, taking refuge and nesting: Blue Jays, Eurasian Collared Doves, Ground Doves, Mourning Doves, Grackles, Ovenbirds, Sparrows—naturally sparrows; they are everywhere—and I also had squirrels. Well, I didn’t have them; they were there, and I fed and enjoyed them. All of them.

I had started with one bird feeder; by now there are 6 and 2 watering dishes. Like the mushrooms in the forest, they all seemed to grow independently, on their own.

But then, one day, condominium management decided greenery was not allowed; they thought palm trees created rats. So down came my green curtain, the places for my birds, the hideouts for the squirrels, and my beautiful green ocean of plants.

After surviving the pain—because I had become extremely attached to my canopy—I started replenishing and got clusias, more areca palms, orange jasmines, mandevillas, crotons, Queen’s wreath vines, all I could keep there according to my growing conditions. They have since apparently taken root, and except for one death—a gardenia unfortunately killed by a person who knows nothing about plants—they seem to be quite happy.

I had tried many times before to grow orchids, but I knew not how, and blamed my terrace’s conditions. However, one day a small Phalaenopsis caught my eye in the Publix store.

This time I had a helper, an adviser who would guide me, an AI. And the AI did help. A lot.

After that first orchid, whom I placed on my kitchen’s countertop under special grow lights and many conditions not needed here, there came a second, and a third.

I soon realized Phalaenopsis were all right, but those that really pulled at my heart were the strange ones, the ones with very thin petals and sepals, the ones with weird colors, the brassavolas, laelias, bulbophyllums, oncidiums, cymbidiums… I was, like all orchid enthusiasts, hooked.

My terrace became the secluded spot where my new babies now flourished; thus, my Orchidarium appeared, and yes, it grew like mushrooms in the forest. Now it holds twenty orchids. Maybe that seems like just a few. It is not for me. I have to pace myself, economically and spatially. And I am not aiming to be a cultivator; I am just the curator of my orchids, my new family, growing up and chatting among themselves, as you can read in the following stories.

THE FAMILIES

The family is growing, have you noticed?

How can’t I, I remember when it was only you and me, on that kitchen counter. I thought she would never take us outside.

Well, you were wrong. See how nice it is now?

Yes, she has thought and thought and believe me, I never considered her able to do what she has done. This is a nice place now.

A new, timid voice intruded.

You were here since the beginning?

The two senior ones turned to look at the one who had ventured to intrude into their conversation.

Older one, with a sniff and a nod, replied. I was the first. I came from a frigid store where they had many of us waiting to be bought. She was very afraid I would die. Hmph. I would not die. Not me.

Yes, and then she decided to bring me home too. It was only the two of us, on that kitchen counter. Remember all she was doing? She even placed a blanket so we wouldn’t get cold at night.

Yes, continued Older One. And putting lights here, and there, adding lamps so we would have enough light.

Measuring the days she watered, if light was enough or not, taking photographs to share. Added the Second one.

But we are so many now! Exclaimed the third one. Look, across the space there, there is another place where many more are sitting.

Yes, those are the ones who need more sun than us. They can tolerate sun directly, not like us. I am very comfortable here, thank you.

They are different? Questioned the third.

Can’t you see? Theirs is another family.

No. Interrupted second one. Not another, now she has members of several families. Oh, I cannot wait until we are all in bloom. It is going to be marvelous.

But she doesn’t care, does she? Insisted third one. I have never heard her ask “when are you going to flower?” or “Will you flower soon?” She comes, looks at us, touches our leaves, waters us. Never have I felt pressed to bloom.

You are right with that one little one. I haven’t either. She seems to enjoy us for ourselves, not because we can bring out, or not, magnificent flowers. Agreed Older One.

She was very proud of those spidery things she brough that day, after she was so sick. Yellow like spider and the other, purplish black. She caressed the flowers softly every day when she came out. Added second one

Yes, I saw her doing that. Said third one. Why do you think?

Oh, I don’t think she doesn’t care about the flowers, she just enjoys anything we give her.

A deep loud voice interrupted this comment, and the ones who had been talking had to look up to who was talking. It was one of the ‘large ones’ the one that had come with huge flowers and leaves that made the First ones feel small and nothing.

I remember when I was brought here. She said. She was not happy.

What? How can you say that? Asked third. She is always happy when we arrive.

I say she was not happy and I know what I am saying. Insited Loud voice. You see… She appeared to hesitate. She likes you more than she likes us.

A thin silence spread along the Orchidarium.

How do you mean?

Oh, I know it well. Yes, she seemed happy, but…. She doesn’t like us, the big blustery ones, she prefers you the tiny crowd.

That cannot be. Said Older one, and then, softly. But, maybe… maybe you are right, I overheard once, when she talks into that strange thing on her hand… maybe she likes the strange spidery ones better…

That is a sad thought. Exclaimed third one. Then, she doesn’t like us?

Oh, said Loud voice. She does like you, your flowers and your leaves, yes, I think she does like you. But us? The big ones…. No… I don’t think so.

I think you are wrong. Maybe she prefers the strange ones, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t like you. Said Companion.

You’ll see. Said Loud voice, and stopped talking to them

Do you think she’s right? Whispered third one.

She may be right, or not. Replied Older one. But by the way she treats all of us it would be difficult to say. Let’s wait. I imagine when Loud one blooms, caretaker is going to be as happy as if it was any of us. You’ll see.

Yes. Added Companion. We, all the ones in this region, came with flowers, and she enjoyed them a lot.

Not those over there in the corner. Said the third. Those never bloomed.

They don’t belong to our family, they are different. Said Older one. But you are right, we all came with flowers and gradually lost them all. She seems to keep loving us, though.

Tell me more about when you came.

THE ARRIVALS

Did you hear the neighbors, cousin? Those across the void?

Yes, how couldn’t I, they are really chatty and loud.

They were talking about us, weren’t they?

I think so. I believe they were referring to your own arrival. When she brought you from the huge place with thousands of your brothers, sisters, cousins and even unrelated family.

Yes, yes. We were in bloom then. That one, over there, whom she recently identified as White Knight. Why that name, he has nothing of white or of knight.

Sometimes the people that give birth to us use really weird names. They called me Lady of the Night, and you are Yellow Bird.

Well, but my flowers are yellow, at least.

Yes, and apparently when I finally decide to bloom my flowers will perfume the night. Oh, how I wish that time to come.

How did you come here? Did she get you from the great growing house?

No. I came through the Darkness.

What? The Darkness? What is that? Sounds scary.

It was scary, suddenly I was enveloped by stuff, I though I would asphyxiate. And then it became so dark, not a glimpse of the sun, not a sliver of light. I thought, this is it. I am dying.

How horrible!

It was horrible, I hope you never experience anything like it. I knew I wasn’t dead yet, because I could fill movement. Lots of movement, like nothing I had experienced before. And then…

Yes, yes? And then.

Then I saw light, and I saw her. It was difficult, after having been in that horrible darkness. But I saw her, and light.

You mean, like God?!

No, silly, no! She’s not God, she was just opening the place where they had put me. She looked at me, inspected me, watered me, and placed me on the counter. Yes, the same counter those other ones were talking about. It was a relief.

Ah, said Yellow Bird, looking at the other with admiration. What an adventure.

Adventure? I want no adventures again, thank you. I am quite content here.

Yes, yes, so am I, but… Wow, you went through all that and survived! Good for you.

Hmph

And later?

Well, I met you two guys, big blooms you had. She seemed very proud of you, and kept looking at me as if thinking, and what about you? But she never asked.

There were already many of the other ones, weren’t there? Those across the void?

Yes, by the time she got interested in me and you two, there were already lots of the other family, they are called something like Phals, but I am not sure.

There are three humongous ones, they arrived with flowers that were larger than myself.

Yes, those are the ones, their flowers are huge, and the leaves….

The Loud One was saying she doesn’t like them.

No, I do not think Loud one is right. She loves all of us, a lot in fact. She even performed surgery on one, who someone brought to her to see if she could save her.

Surgery? What is that?

This Phal was getting sick, you know, sometimes people do not know how to care for us, and then…she hesitated… then we can die.

Oh! Muttered Yellow bird, How horrible, don’t say those awful things!

It is the truth. So caretaker took the little Phal out of her growing place, and had to cut her roots, and change her, and … Oh! I cannot remember. It was horrible. But see. Lady of the Night pointed. That’s her back there, see her? She has been doing well after her surgery.

That is a relief. Whew! You did scare me!

Lady looked at Yellow Bird with amusement.

You need to grow up.

THE GREAT DARKNESS

You know nothing about the Darkness. Said a voice across the Void. I have experienced the Great Darkness, and it almost killed me.

Lady and Yellow Bird looked at each other, and then all around. They couldn’t identify where that moaning, sad voice was coming.

I’m over here, just behind you across the Void. The voice said. I am Twinkle Pink, and my companion here, Sharry Baby knows what I am talking about.

Lady gathered herself and addressed the new neighbor who had spoken

What do you mean about The Great Darkness. There is only one Darkness.

No, when the Darkness extends, and extends, and you start feeling your limbs are drying up, and your spike blooms are drying, and all your body is being deprived of air to breathe, and light to grow, forever…That is the Great Darkness. I merely survived. I am not sure I will make it, yet.

And Twinkle gave a sniff that could have been mistaken for a sob.

What happened? Whispered Yellow Bird, loud enough to be carried across the Void, but still softly.

It all went as you described, Lady, we were enwrapped in some stuff, and all light went off, then something else covered us. No light, no air, nothing. We, my neighbor here, Sharry Baby and I, couldn’t even talk, we were so scared. Then the movement started, just as you said.

Yes, said Lady. That is the way I think it always happens.

To you, perhaps. After a long time in that darkness and movement, somehow we came to a resting place. All was silent then. We were not moving, but nobody opened anything for us, as you say it happened to you.

Yes, yes…Continue.

For a very long time we waited there, each passing moment we had less air to breath, we were drying up and without sun, it seemed that it was now Death.

Yellow Bird shuddered.

How perfectly horrible.

Yes, horrible. Said a new voice. You will never know about it, unless you experience it, and I hope you won’t.

Across the void, Lady and Yellow could see the other one, whom Twinke had called Sharry Baby.

I don’t know how I was able to survive better than her. Maybe because I was not blooming, while she had to care for her babies, apart from herself. The Great Darkness, yes, it extended and extended. We thought: that was it, no more light, no more sun, no more nothing.

Why? What was happening? Do you know?

Suddenly there was movement. Continued Twinkle, a different kind of movement.

Yes, added Sharry. And for a moment we heard a voice, a voice saying. “I got them, I rescued them.”

Wow! Who was that? Asked Yellow.

By what I now know, explained Twinkle, it was our caretaker. She was talking to someone, and added, “I rescued them from the kidnappers!”

Kidnappers? Asked Lady. What is that?

From what we learned later, those on the thing that had been moving us around since we left our family, had not taken us to her, and had left us standing somewhere for days. That was what had been happening. She was very upset, almost crying. Explained Sharry Baby.

Oh!...Poor thing. Whispered Yellow Bird.

Poor thing? Poor us! Cried Twinkle, my leaves were dying, my bloom spikes were shrivelled, my poor babies, whom I had taken so long to grow, lost!

Sorry, sorry. You are right. Please continue.

So at last all movement stopped and we felt air, and then light coming through the stuff they had wrapped around us. And then, yes, then we saw her.

Was she happy?

No, no she wasn’t. If we rememnber correctly… Sharry hesitated, and when Twinkle nodded, continued. If we remember correctly she was very angry.

Why? You were already with her.

Because we had been damaged, silly. She had been suffering for us for several sunrises.

Ah, yes, I understand now.

But now you are here, with all of us. Commented Lady. Everything will be alright now. And maybe some of your children will survive, Twinkle. Don’t lose hope.

IDENTITIES

What? What is this? What is this thing she’s now hanging aroung my neck? Said White Knight, almost in a scream.

Oh, I like it. It’s like a necklace, something some caretakers have used around me before. Commented Laelia Chocolate Drom.

I don’t care, as soon as it doesn’t pull at my leaves…or roots. Added Bulbophylum rothschildianum, with a shake of his leaves.

But it is horrible! Cried White Knight again. Why is she doing this?

I really do not know. Replied Laelia. But I did overhear something.

Yes? What? Said Bulbophylum

Apparently, whispered Laelia. She doesn’t remember our names.

What?! Exlaimed White Knight. She doesn’t know us?

Shh. Don’t shout. The other ones… over there shouldn’t hear us. Said Laelia.

Who? Where? Asked White Knight, again in a loud voice.

Oh, my! Can’t you keep it quiet? Those, the ones across the void, far there. She explained.

Oh, who cares?

I care, they are the ones who do not have a name by themselves, they are all just called Phals, not like you and I, and Bulbophylum here. Whispered Laelia again.

They don’t? Inquired Bulbophylum. How sad!

Yes, that’s why I don’t want you screaming that she’s doing this to remember our names. She does remember those, because they all have the same name, but we are special. Explained Laelia.

Naturally we are special, at least I am very special, I am White Knight!

Laelia looked at him. He was quite tall, larger than her, but in her mind, he was just a small spoiled orchid. She let it pass.

So what is going to happen now? Asked Bulbophylum, trying to divert the conversation.

Cymbidium Iris Bannochie Wakanda spoke.

She was talking about this, when I had just arrived from the Great House. She always talks about us to that thing on her hand, you know. And she was saying that she would make a list so that she could look at our necklaces and remember who we were. Aparenlty she will put there where we came from also.

That’s interesting. Said Laelia. Is she losing her mind?

I suppose she is. Commented White Knight with a puff and a sniff.

Don’t be like that! Exclaimed Laelia. By the Sun! She takes care of you daily, waters you, gives you food, looks at how health your leaves are and you are so… so…

Laelia virtually shrugged.

White Knight decided to keep quiet, turning a bit to look outside, at the bright light coming through the screen.

No, continued Wakanda. I think it is a way to keep track of all of us. When we came, from where, how…

Ah, intruded White Knight again. How. That is very important. Our trip through the Darkness. Those guys over there were talking about it last sun. One talked about the Great Darkness.

Yes. Said Wakanda. The Darkness. Was it very bad for you, Laelia?

I do not like to remember that time, but hearing our neighbors across the void talking about it and what they called ‘The Kidnapping’ , no, it was not too horrible.

It was horrible, commented White Knight again who, apparently could not keep its mouth shut. It was horrible, and when she brought me out of that enclosed space, where I could not even breath, she placed me, ME in her kitchen, of all places!

A new voice intruded on White Knight’s rememberings, Yellow Bird.

You were not brought through the Darkness, White. She brought us, the two of us directly with her from the great house. We never experienced that horrible Darkness.

You know nothing about my life, you little Bird. I know what I am talking about. Replied White Knight in a slightly softer voice, quieter, too.

Oh, White! Why are you like that! What was she to do? Replied Wakanda. However you came to this place, through the Darkness or not, she had to keep you, and all of us as we arrive, in a place where she could check on us and give us time to adapt.

I didn’t need any time. Not me.

Uff, you are terrible. But returning to the necklaces, I am happy she’s doing that. Everyone who comes to look at us now will know who we are. Said Wakanda.

Yes, and it looks very nice, such a nice color, like the sun. Added Laelia

Yes!

KIDNAPPED

Is it true that you were… what were they saying… ‘kidnapped’. Asked one of the last arrivals.

Twinkle Pink looked sideways. Either the one who was talking was incredibly bushy and big, or something strange was happening to her eyesight. She shook some of her leaves carefully, not to distress her babies any more than they already were.

Yes, kidnapped. That was what our caretaker called it. Who are you? You are humongous.

Oh, no. We are three. We are triplets, our name is Brassavola Little Star.

Triplets? What’s that? Asked Twinkle again.

We are three identical sisters.

Not identical. Interrupted another voice, so similar to the first that Twinkle did a double take.

Oh, Ok, yes. We are not identical, we each have a different self. Replied the first one.

And then how are we going to call you? Asked Twinkle.

Well, maybe Little Star 1, Little Star 2, and Little Star 3. Replied the first one.

And who, may I ask, is going to be number 1, sister? Asked the second one, who seemed somewhat upset. Do you think that is you?

Why not?

Oh, the nerve. I was born before you, I should be number 1. Replied the other one.

You are both wrong, I was the first, I am Little Star 1, said the one who hadn’t yet spoken.

Twinkle stared as the three sisters argued and argued.

Wait, wait please! She interrupted. I have an idea that can help!

The three sisters stopped their arguing and looked at Twinkle.

What do you suggest?

Instead of giving yourselves numbers, one or two or three, why don’t you call yourselves something you are? How tall or something?

The three sisters hummed and hummed.

Hmmm. That is a good idea… Said the first one. I will be Little Star Tallest.

No, no you are not. I am the tallest.

Oh, stop your squabling! Interrupted a new voice, Shary Baby. You are going to be Little Star North. You, he added, regarding the last who had joined the conversation, will be Little Star West, and you… And Shary Baby pointed one leaf at the remaining one, you are Little Star South. There that is settled.

But I don’t want to be South, I want to be North! Cried that one.

I said that is settled. Take your names or I will complain to the caretaker. Then we will see how she names you.

The three large newcomers went silent. They didn’t yet know the caretaker well enough and were in some awe of her.

Ok, now that is settled, continued Sharry. Why are you three? We had always come one at a time, at least one of each family at a time.

Little Star North started. It was, I think, because our caretakers were going on a trip. They were fixing all up in the huge house, and saw the three of us there. Our blooms had died. Her voice seemed to break. We had no more blooms and they decided to give us for adoption.

Adoption? Asked Twinkle. What’s that?

Do you really know how you come here? Asked Star West. What happens in between you being in the huge house and coming here?

Yes, we go through the Great Darkness. Replied Twinkle.

No, no. That’s not what I am asking. Do you know why the caretakers on the great house suddenly send you other places?

Nooo. Replied Twinkle, she had never thought about that.

Your caretaker gave money for you, she ‘bought’ you. Explained Star South.

Money? Bought? Queried Sharry.

Oh, my! You live in limbo here. Said Star North. You know nothing about the world, do you?

Ok, explain, if you know so much. Replied Twinkle. She was getting tired about this high and mighty sisters and their supposed knowledge.

The woman here, she found out that our caretakers were not going to keep us, and paid, gave something called money, so that we would be sent to her. Explained Star West.

Well, yes. I imagine that is how it happens to all of us.

No, no it isn’t. You see, your caretaker…. I should say now our caretaker, gave a lot of money for all of you.

Yes. I understand.

But she gave nothing for us. We were adopted, not bought. Almost shouted Star North. We are foundlings.

THERE WAS ONE STORY HERE ABOUT THE NEOFINETTIA BUT IT NEVER ARRIVED. THERE WERE 3 OTHER ORCHIDS FROM HAUSERMAN THAT WERE LOST BY FEDEX. THAT STORY WILL COME LATER.

VANILLA

Well, hello there! You are new, aren’t you?

Yes, yes, I arrived yesterday.

And they placed you here? With us? The Phals?

Well, I don’t know… You call yourselves the Phals?

Yes, you know, we, the Monopodials.

The what? What are you talking about?

Oh, you know nothing, right? Don’t worry, you will learn quickly. We, all the ones sitting in this part of the lanai, we are Monopodial Orchids. We grow upward from one place. We don’t make those fat little reservoirs those others across the Void carry.

You are a professor?

Oh, no no. It is just that we have lived here for a while, and our caretaker is usually very talkative about us and where we come from and all that, we learn from her.

I only saw her for a moment, when she took me up from outside, yesterday.

And who are you, then?

I am Vanilla, Vanilla planifolia.

You are one of those? Wow!

Why, what is wrong?

No, nothing, you are an important one. Apparently when you flower you give birth to a very nice fruit. Welcome then, to our neck of the Orchidarium.

Thanks, and who are you?

Oh, I am the Oldest one. I was the first the caretaker brought home, I have seen all of these others arrive. Tell me, did she keep you on the kitchen counter before bringing you outside?

I think she did, if what I remember is what you mean. There were some other ones there, small ones in tiny homes.

The Old one perked her leaves at this.

Small ones? Did you hear their names?

I heard the caretaker refer to them as ‘poor Twinkle’.

Oh my! So that is where she went! When she disappeared from her place, we feared she had died. So she is in ICU.

In what?

Oh, that’s something else we learned from her. ICU is something like emergency care, for those of us who are getting sick, she takes us inside to monitor us.

And what happened to that Twinkle one?

That was horrible, she was kidnapped by the deliverers, spent many suns, days in the Great Darkness, lost all her children blooms, and apparently has not recovered yet.

Yes, didn’t look too good, but there were three in three different homes, as I remember.

Oh, three? Then caretaker has done some major surgery.

You use so many words I do not know. What are you talking about?

Well, probably, while trying to save Twinkle, she took her out of her home and separated them. She has done that previously. I truly hope poor Twinkle survives. And you, you are so large! Where did you come from? Did you also come through the Darkness?

I don’t know what you are talking about. Darkness?

Yes, when you came here, did they cover you with lots of stuff, in a way you couldn’t see the light, almost suffocating you for a long time?

No. No. I never lost the light, or air, in fact, it was all very sunny all the time.

Oh! Was it that she went to your first home herself?

No, no. I never saw her before.

Interesting. Said the Old one, moving her leaves in something that could have resembled shrugging.

Tell me about this place, Old one.

Oh, we are very many. I know it is not as the home where I was born, probably also not as your own home, but there are a lot of friends here. All we, in this shelf, we are Phalaenopsis, and we are only arranged as the Large Ones, those three over there, and the Small ones, like myself and those there. We are named only by order of arrival. But across the void, there, you see? Nearer to the sun, those are the Sympodials.

The whaat?

The Sympodial Orchids. There are a lot of different ones: Oncidium, Bulbophyllum, Brassavola, Cymbidium, Paphiopedilum, and many others. Those there grow sideways and carry those swollen water vessels to drink if there is no water available.

They look very different, not like all of you here.

Oh, yes, and they ARE different. That one there is White Knight, do not get him started, he is very opinionated. Those there are Brassavolas, the came together and we call them the Three Sisters. That other is also Brassavola, but she is a Senior one. Then that’s Yellow Bird, this is Bulbophylum…

Stop! Stop! You are making me dizzy! How can you know all their names! I never knew the names of the ones in my birth home.

Oh, You will get to know them, as soon as they get into their usual arguments. Do not worry.

FROM ECUADOR

Hola, pues. Buenas tardes, mi nombre es Encyclia cyperifolia, y me llaman la de hojas de Junco.

What? What? Who’s talking there? Cried White Knight in his usual uncontrolled loud voice.

¡Soy yo! The newcomer was trying to make herself heard above the commotion her greeting had caused.

Will you please all calm down. Requested Yellow Bird to the top of her small lungs. I will try to talk to her. She is talking Spanish, I know because my grower always talked in that language around me.

Well, we all speal Engligh here! Added White Knight. Why is she now trying to bring that language into our midst? We are all American here!

Do not pay attention to him, newcomer. How should we call you, you said something about leaves? Leaves of what?

Junco, and thanks for helping me, it is difficult when you come from abroad.

Oh, but you do talk English.

A bit, just a bit, only. Replied Encyclia.

Why do you say, abroad? Enquired White Knight with his usual rudeness.

Will you help me, miss? Requested the Encyclia of Yellow Bird.

Sure. Go ahead and I will try to put it in our language.

Yo vine de muy lejos, y de donde yo vengo, no se habla esta lengua, sino español.

She says she came from very far away, and that there they do not talk our language.

Nonsense. Interjected White Knight, this is the only language.

No it is not, White Knight. Why don’t you keep quiet for a while and let this newcomer explain about herself? That is what a true Knight should do.

White Knight mumbled something, but peace was restored in the Orchidarium.

And this is what Yellow Bird was able to understand of the Encyclia’s story.

I lived all my life in a land of forests and mountains, sometimes the nights were very cold, while the days were warm, and many of my neighbors, in the grower’s house, had come from high above the mountains in places where air is full of water, and rain comes very frequently. One day, one of the caretakers there came to me, and took me out of my home.

What does that mean, take her out of her home? Insisted White Knight.

She was taken out of her pot.

Why?

She says she was wrapped as we all have, and placed in a place in the dark. But they didn’t put her home there, she was wrapped naked!

What! What horror is this? Naked? Poor thing! Cried one of the Three sisters. How did she survive that?

That is not all she is telling me. Added Yellow Bird. She was not only set in one of those rolling moving things, she was lifted into something else after the rolling movement stopped, and then came a terrible roaring beneath her. Everything trembled. She felt herself rising, though there was no ground beneath her; because she had no home.

Impossible. Commented White Knight, shrugging. That is impossible.

She says she was brought here in an ‘avion’. I don’t know what that is.

Avión? Asked Wakanda. Maybe she means airplane. I know, I’ve heard stories when I was in my other home. It is something that carries us through the air, when we are very far away.

Throught the air? Even more impossible to accept. Shrugged White Knight.

Ok, believe it or not, that is what she says. She says she comes from a country that is called Ecuador, and that to be allowed to our country they took her to a place where a man checked her all over. She felt so ashamed.

Naturally, added Wakanda. She was naked, wasn’t she? I would have felt like that also. But I see she is in her little home already.

Yes, caretaker placed her in water as soon as she arrived to our house, and later placed her in her own new home. She is very happy now.

Well, she better learn our language soon. Or are you going to be talking for her all the time? Said White Knight.

She also says that while she was resting on the counter, another orchid arrived; a very tall one. She did not come through the sky. She came in sunlight.

Maybe that’s our new friend there. Added Wakanda, pointing to Vanilla with one of her leaves.

And answering your comment, White Knight, I do not care if I do. She seems quite a nice orchid, not like some we know down here. Replied Yellow Bird, but she wants to learn so she can talk to all of us herself. And I say, White Knight, I would appreciate if you kept your angry comments to yourself.

Hrmph. Was the single answer.

Schrödinger’s Orchid

Uproar in the Orchidarium

おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu). Said a polite voice, and the orchidarium exploded.

Who? What was that? Cried the three sisters.

And then, a choir of echoes repeated the question in several levels of fear, irritation and surprise.

Then, White Knight added.

Surely an immigrant, another one. This is becoming unbearable.

Laelia and Bulbophylum looked at him but didn’t comment. They were, by this time, getting to know their neighbor enough to know nothing they would say would make him behave.

I am sorry. Said the polite voice again. I mean good morning.

They could hear there was some accent in her speak but couldn’t understand why.

Good morning to you too, replied Little Star north, who was the closer to who seemed to be the newcomer. What was it that you said? Before?

Good morning, she said.

No, no, that was not good morning. You do not talk like we do. Why? And who are you?

Oh, I am sorry. I am Neofinetia Falcata Furan, and yes, I just came to this place.

Do we call you Neofinetia? Or what, Falcata? Inquired Little Star West. And what does your name mean? And why is it so difficult to see you?

You can call me Furan, or better still, Samurai. Replied the newcomer. I don’t know why you can’t see me, though.

Samurai? Asked Lady from across the void. Did I hear correctly?

Yes, madam. If it pleases you. Replied Samurai. Why?

Many suns ago, I was in a place where I could hear some talk, strange talk that came out from a large box. There were people in that box, and they were saying that word, again and again they said it. What does it mean?

A samurai was a warrior of old Japan, trained to serve with courage, discipline, loyalty, and honor. Explained the newcomer. I was named because of them.

Japan? Asked White Knight, as always in a voice loud enough to be heard across the continent. Where is that?

I really do not know. It’s not as if I had come from there, not myself, at least. My parents did, though.

And that you said? Insisted now Laelia. Is that how your parents talk?

Yes, yes. Not only them. The caretakers in the conservatory I used to live also talk like that. Explained Samurai.

Are they also from that place? asked Lady. And what is that ‘conservatory’ thing.

No, no. I think they, and the conservatory, are all here, in this country. From the stories by my parents, it takes many suns to travel from there to here. And, she answered looking at Lady, a conservatory is where hundred, even thousands of those like us live.

Ah, you mean the great house. Ok. Should have said that instead of all those weird words. Commented White Knight. And added, as to himself but in a voice loud enough to be heard by all, Making herself so important, huff.

Yellow Bird addressed Samurai.

Do not pay attention to him, he is like that with everyone.

I won’t, and if you please, your name?

I am Yellow Bird, and I came with him, White Knight, from the great house. This one is Lady of the Night, that one over there Bulbophylum Rotschildianum, yes, I know, a terrible long name, that’s Laelia, you can also call her Chocolate Drop, over there, the quiet one is Wakanda.

Glad to meet you all, I hope you will accept me in your social group. Replied Samurai. And all those over there? She added, with a movement of her blooming spike.

Oh, replied Bulbophylum, those are the Phals. Those are all Phals, no individual names to them. He added, with a disdainful shrugging.

Tell us more about yourself, Samurai. Asked Little Star South. Did you come through the Darkness?

The Darkness? What is that?

Most of all have arrived here, sent from our family’s houses, through a great darkness. We were enveloped in stuff, enclosed, deprived of air, water and light for some days, and then finally the caretaker here took us out and placed us in this place. Explained Little Star.

Oh, yes, yes. There was a great darkness, and strange movements. Yes. You call that the Darkness?

It was the Great Darkness and it almost killed me. Said Twinkle Pink from across the void. I am glad you didn’t go through that.

And your name, please?

I am Twinkle Pink, and this one by my side came with me too, through the Great Darkness, he is Sharry Baby.

Very glad to make your acquaintance, sir. Said Samurai, and you could almost imagine her little bow. I am Samurai.

Sharry Baby acknowledged with a bow of his own.

And have you all been here for a long time? Samurai asked.

Some longer, some just a few suns. Those over there, at the extreme over the void, those were the first ones.

The ones called ‘Phals’. Said Samurai.

Yes, those. They have been here forever.

Ah. And tell me about the caretaker here? Is she good. Can I trust her?

Twenty voices arose at the same time, from White Knight complaining to Old One, all giving their opinions about their caretaker.

Wait, wait, please. I cannot understand you! Exclaimed Samurai.

Twinkle waited for the orchids to subside and explained.

I am very happy with her, and yes, you can trust her.

Then Twinkle told Samurai the story of their trip across the Great Darkness and the kidnapping.

So, you see, her concern for us is real. You will see. She finished.

Yes, you will see. Smirked White Knight. Wait until she hangs the necklace around your neck.

The necklace? asked Samurai. What is that?

White Knight immediately started explaining what the necklace was, his opinion on the caretaker, the damage the necklace was doing to him, and more and more complaints on how things were conducted in this place.

Samurai, listening to him was getting very concerned, even her leaves were dropping a little.

Don’t pay attention to him, Samurai. He’s never happy with anything. For the Sun, I have had to deal with him ever since we were in the great house. Listen, the caretaker is great. She doesn’t urge us to bloom, she loves all of us as we are, measures our amount of sun and water, never lets us dry up, gives us food and even rescues those in trouble. See that Phal there? She would have died if she hadn’t rescued her, and Yellow Bird here? She was in a place so narrow and so bad for her roots, and caretaker took her out and placed her in this nice larger home.

And how does she talk to you? Samurai insisted.

What do you mean? In English, just like how we are talking now. Why?

Well, I told you my previous caretakers spoke Japanese. I just wanted to be sure I was not going to need to learn a new language. Explained Samurai.

Oh, she talks English, among other ones. Said from far over, Old One. I have heard her.

The assembly turned to look at the senior one.

Others? Asked White Knight. What other? Is she also an immigrant. Oh by the Sun, we are all invaded by immigrants here.

Nobody answered this commentary from the Knight.

Well, explained Yellow Bird, yes, apparently, she is an immigrant. The majority of us are. We were not really born here. Non of us were. Listen, Lady’s family came from down south, Mexico maybe, just as probably Sharry Baby and Laelia. Bulbophylum comes from farther away, a place called India, I think, and Wakanda far across the great waters, I think it is called Asia. Maybe even from the same place you come, Samurai.

Oh, really? Said Samurai. Konnichiwa, Wakanda-san! And bowed.

Oh, no, no. Replied Wakanda. I do not know your language. Sorry.

My mistake, replied Samurai. And the caretaker, you were going to say?

Oh, she comes from south of here, a very large island. There are lots of us over there in her country. Or were a lot, when she left. She has told that thing in her hand many times about it.

What language then, will she use with me?

Not Japanese, that’s for sure. Commented Sharry with a smile. English. She talks to all of us in the language of this country.

Do not worry, Samurai. You will soon find yourself at ease here.

And with your necklace hanging around your neck. Concluded White Knight.

Some time later, Laelia and Chocolate Drop wanting to talk a bit more to Neofinetia, twisted around to look at her. There was nothing there, the space where they had seen the new arrival was empty.

Where did she go? Asked Chocolate Drop. Where is she?

I don’t know. Replied Sharry Baby. Yellow Bird? Do you see her?

No, Sharry, and I am a bit scared.

You are scared? shouted White Knight, making everyone jump. You should be scared. I wanted to say something, but because you are always arguing with me….

What did you want to say, White Knight. Asked the Old One from across the void.

She disappeared. I was looking at her a while ago and suddenly she was becoming more and more… what is the word?.....Transparent? Like when some of our flowers grow old, and we can see through them, you know. Then I couldn’t see her anymore.

That is impossible, said Wakanda. A whole orchid doesn’t become transparent like that…humph.

I am telling you it happened. Insisted White Knight.

Probably caretaker took her inside, to the kitchen, added one of the Three Sisters.

No. The caretaker hasn’t been outside today at all, she wasn’t here. I know. Said Lady of the Night.

But then… what happened? Cried Bulbophyllum in a shaky voice… Was it a ghost? I have heard stories….

Ghost? Ghost? What ghost? Don’t be silly Bulbophylum. There must be an explanation.

Just then, the door to the Orchidarium was pushed open, and the caretaker came out. As usual, she was talking to the little box in her hand.

“I told you I had to do it. We couldn’t wait any longer for it. Yes, yes, the Neofinetia Falcata, yes.”

“I am telling you, I cancelled it. She is not coming anymore. For the time being, the Neofinetia remains out there, in Michigan.”

The orchids shook in their roots, and when the caretaker returned inside, they whispered among themselves:

Then who was talking to us all that time?

THE GHOST RETURNS?

おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu). Said a polite voice, and the orchidarium exploded.

Who? What was that? Cried the three sisters.

The ghost is back! We are definitely haunted now! Cried White Knight.

Oh, White, stop that nonsense. Retorted Wakanda. It was never a ghost….

No? intruded Little Star north. And what is it that I am seeing by my side now. And she said the same thing last time.

What are you saying? That you are seeing… Lady of the Night stopped mid sentence.

おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu). Or if you prefer “Good morning. I am sorry if I disturbed you”.

It is true, said Sharry Baby, she’s back!

Let’s calm down, friends, let’s stay silent and see what she will answer now. Then, she addressed the apparent new visitor.

Who are you, and what were you saying?

I am Vanda falcata, a furan, though some time ago they called me Neofinetia falcata.

White Knight moaned in such teatrical way that his neighbors had to laugh.

And you are here now? Continued Lady, not paying any attention to White Knight’s antics.

Yes, naturally I am here, with all of you. May I ask you your name, miss?

My name is Lady of the Night, also knows as Brassavola nodosa, and you already knew that, right?

No, no. How could I have known? I just arrived last night.

Ha! The joke, the trickster. Look at her, denying her ghostly appearance those days back. Don’t listen to her, Lady, let her go back the same way she did then. Cried White Knight.

I am very sorry, sir. Replied the little orchid, but I have never been here before. If someone could explain…

I will explain, said Yellow Bird. If the rest of you would let me?

Oh, sure, sure, go ahead. Answered White Knight. That is what you love to do, you are the ambassador to the weirdos and immigrants… Yeah Yeah, go ahead.

Nobody answered to the characteristically discriminatory comment of the old orchid.

Some days ago, miss, we spent a long time talking to you, or someone very much like you. You told us who you were, the story of your name, and where you had come from. We talked with what we thought was you for a long time, and then, suddenly, you disappeared. We thought it had been a ghost.

Yes, yes, precisely. Intruded Little Star South. You were by my side and suddenly you were not there. Explain yourself.

Oh, that is very strange. Replied the newcomer. Because I have never met any of you, nor have I ever been in this place at all. How can I demonstrate that to you?

A question: what language were your caregiver using in your previous home? Asked Yellow Bird.

Well, that’s easy, Chinese. Said Samurai

Chinese? And why did you say precisely what the other one, assuming it is true you were never here, what the other one said in Japanese?

Because Japanese was my ancestors’ language, but it was never spoken in my previous home. My caretaker there was a chinese woman, by the name of Helen Yu.

Are you sure of this? Insisted Yellow Bird, followed by the almost identical question by Lady of the Night.

Naturally I am. But now I am intrigued, what happened to the other orchid like myself. Was she also a Neofinetia?

That’s what she said. Interrupted White Knight in his usual unkindly way.

I don’t know how I can convince you that I was never here. Said Samurai, and her voice really felt that she was troubled and distressed, she never thougth she would have this kind of reception in her new house.

Now, said Yellow Bird, the only way we can resolve this riddle is when the caretaker comes out. Only she can solve this problem.

Yeah, right. Replied White Knight. Sit down to wait for her, I am already very thirsty and she hasn’t come out yet.

You know she will, White, answered Yellow Bird, she always does.

Humph.

May I know your names, while we wait for the caretaker?

Yes, yes, naturally. But, shall we call you Samurai?

Yes, that is my name. How did you know?

Because you, or someone like you was here briefly some time ago, as we explained already. Ok, I am Yellow Bird, that one over there that is so loud is White Knight, she is Lady of the Night. That one there is Sharry baby, he is a bit distressed because his companion has been missing, she is in the hospital because they kidnapped the two of them and his companion, Twinkle Pink has been very sick. Those three that seem identical are the Three Brassavola Sisters, Little Star North, Little Star South and Little Star West. That one back there is Bulbophyllum , we call him Red Tail.

But you are so many and all different. Complained Samurai, how am I going to remember you all?

Oh, you will remember. And those that are near you in your same side of the lanai, those all have the same name, Phals, or properly Phalaenopsis, well except that huge one by your side, that is Vanilla planifolia and she was the last to arrive.

Just then, the lanai glass door opened and the caretaker came out. She was talking to someone inside the apartment so she left the door partly opened.

No, please, wait a moment for me. I need to water the orchids now, it is already late for them. And my newly arrived baby, my Neofinetia who finally made it, needs water even more after her long trip.

Someone seemed to ask something from inside, then; and she answered.

Yes, yes, finally. But she came from another place, the other nursery took too long to answer my request and I had to cancel. This one is finaly here from another nursery place. And I am so happy she’s finally here.

After the orchids had received their water, and drank deeply, there was a collective sigh of satisfaction and relief.

You see, said Yellow Bird. She truly is here, not a ghost, and all she explained is true. We have a real family member here with us now, and the caretaker is really happy.