Barbara Andrewjeski, 43, of Mosinee Wisconsin, was inspired to start
gardening while driving by thousand of orchids on her way to visit her husband
in the hospital. Today, she has more than 2000 plants. Barbara finds gardening
to be a spiritual endeavor for her,"When I visited that greenhouse while
my husband was in the hospital, I was a bit of a mess... I was having a hard
time watching my husband go through this elective surgery. We were not in
my hometown so that made things even more difficult. When I entered the
greenhouse and saw all that beauty, it was as if God had reached down and
put His arms around me and whispered to me... 'See what I have created for
you to enjoy?? I love you and I love your husband too. I will take care of
you.' I was so overcome that I sat down between the benches of plants and
wept. Since then, I have considered them to be a special token of His love
for me..."
How did you first begin gardening? How long
have you been gardening? What motivated you to begin
gardening?>
Although I got my first orchid plant over 20 years ago, I began orchid
gardening avidly just over 3 years ago. My husband was in the hospital to
donate a kidney and I drove by this place called "Orchids By the Ackers"
every morning and evening back and forth to the hospital. Finally one morning
I went in a little later and stopped by there on the way... It was wonderful...
thousands of orchids in bloom... I was overcome by all the beauty. Needless
to say, I have been back many times since and bring my friends whenever I
can.
What has gardening taught you about yourself?
Have you discovered parts of yourself through gardening?
I enjoy my solitude and taking care of my orchids gives me lots of
time to think. I know each of my 2000+ plants and what they need to grow
and bloom. Each one is an individual... I think the most surprising thing
I have discovered about myself is that I am a patient person. I buy or grow
baby seedlings. Most will take 3-7 years before they have their first bloom...
But I still love 'em!
For some, gardening is therapy. Is it like
this for you? If so, how?
My job as a county welfare case worker is demanding in terms of
stress and workload...not to mention the pressures of office politics. Orchids
have away of bringing me back to normal... I touch them and care for them
and they calm and sooth me... They reward me with their infinitely unique
blossoms...
What do you grow? Where do you garden? How
many acres do you plant?
I grow mostly species, although I do enjoy the ease of growing some
quality hybrids... My plants are everywhere in the house... Down in the basement
under lights, in a "Light closet", on racks in front of windows, in an aquarium,
shelves next to the whirlpool in our bathroom... Wherever I can fit in some
plants or flasks...
What is your favorite thing to grow? Why is
this your favorite?
All my orchid friends know that Phragmipediums really get me going...
They are the western hemisphere's version of the Lady's Slipper. I like them
because they like me. They grow well for me, quicker than many other plants
and love to be over-mothered. Most orchids hate having wet feet, but my phrags
love to sit in water. I can overwater to my heart's content!
What steps do you take to get your garden
ready every year? How do you plan out the garden? Get your soil
ready?
Well, I continually arrange and rearrange my plants to help them
find their niche... I like them orderly, but to date, no real master plan...other
than a monster greenhouse some day!
What advice do you have for those who want
to start gardening?
Go for it! There is soo much information on the internet that is
available for you to use to learn what it takes to grow magnificent orchids.
I host a site that has a lot to offer. If you have a chance, visit
http://www.orchidfile.com/
ENJOY your plants...and the friendships they help you develop...
Talk to whoever you can to learn how to adapt your space to support a few
plants or a whole collection!
Do you ever garden with others? If so, how
does it impact your relationships?
For the most part, the people I have met through the internet who
share my love of orchids are wonderful. I have made some lasting friends.
We learn from each other. There are so many different species (35,000+) and
countless hybrids, that we all have some favorite specialty that we can
share...
What are the joys of
gardening?
For me, the joy is seeing a little plant grow up, mature and finally
burst forth in bloom! When you think of it... to grow an orchid from seed
to bloom is a minimum of 3 years and may take umteen years for some of the
most stubborn orchid species to bloom! My personal joy will be to bloom a
plant, pollinate it, mature the seed capsule (up to a year...), sow the seeds
in vitro (another year or two), and eventually grow and bloom the
babies...
What mistakes have you made with your
garden?
I didn't plan a greenhouse into our home. I don't find enough space
to grow all the plants I want.
Is gardening a spiritual endeavor for you?
If so, how?
Actually, I'm glad you asked that question. Yes. When I visited
that greenhouse while my husband was in the hospital, I was a bit of a mess...
I was having a hard time watching my husband go through this elective surgery.
We were not in my hometown so that made things even more difficult. When
I entered the greenhouse and saw all that beauty, it was as if God had reached
down and put His arms around me and whispered to me... "See what I have created
for you to enjoy?? I love you and I love your husband too. I will take care
of you." I was so overcome that I sat down between the benches of plants
and wept. Since then, I have considered them to be a special token of His
love for me...
What books, television programs, videos, magazines
have helped you learn about gardening?
I find that most of my learning comes from talking to growers...people.
I read everything I can get my hands on as far as good books go. My favorites
are The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids, Rebecca Northen's Home Orchid
Growing, Catherine Cash's Slipper Orchids and The Manual of Cultivated Orchid
Species. There are other more genus specific books that delve into the
indiosyncracies of each genus...
What challenges does your garden give
you?
Finding the right conditions to make the plants happy. There are
so many variables...Light, temperature, humidity, air current, potting media,
containers, watering, fertilizing... a wrong tweak on any of them can mean
the decline of a plant...But the right move can make all the
difference!
How do you handle insects and other animals
that might interfere with your garden?
Prevent them. I keep my growing areas as clean as possible. If I
do find something other than the intended plants... I hit 'em fast...but
with the least toxic method that will work. I find that what works best on
a wide range of peskies is a solution of 409, alcohol, horticultural oil
spray and water. Kicks butt with the bugs and makes the leaves nice and clean
with a satiny sheen. Oh, and there are usually a few ladybugs hanging around
the plants. Stuff doesn't seem to phase the ladies...
What have you discovered improves the quality
of your garden?
Quality plants, quality plant food, quality potting media. I try
not to scrimp on anything. And Variety!
Does your garden have a theme? A name? Is
it symbolic of something?
Not really. My tastes in plants runs toward the eclectic...and that's
the way they appear around the house. I try to get as many plants in as little
space as possible, so it looks a little overgrown at times... But when they
bloom, it is like being in a jungle!
How much time do you spend on your garden
each day, or week, or month?
The plants get some kind of care every day. Watering takes a good
hour. Weekends I spend a lot of time with propagating, repotting and inspecting
my plants.
What do you think about while you are
gardening?
I envision what the particular flower will look like... who I got
the plant from, who it is going to...what is the next step to help the plant
grow better... Stuff like that... Very seldom do I think about sex while
with my plants... *Grin* |
