Getting (Re)potted in Seattle

I’m in Seattle this week and had fun with members of the Northwest Orchid Society. The group meets the second Monday evening of the month at the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture.

The center is part of the UW Botanic Gardens. The big greenhouse and well-appointed classrooms are impressive, and they’re surrounded by 16 acres of lush, lovely plantings and walking paths.

Another 70-plus adjacent acres known as the Union Bay Natural Area is a prime bird-watching spot and peaceful respite from the relentless Seattle traffic.

As always, some of my orchids traveled with me from Idaho – if you’re an orchid person, you’re already nodding and chuckling. This week, since the NWOS meeting was a potting clinic, I brought plants in need of repotting.

Most orchids need repotting every couple of years, as the bark they grow in breaks down over time. The club members were nice enough to provide containers, several types of potting mixture and unlimited free advice.

Many of the attendees were complete orchid novices, and they left with freshly-potted plants, instructions for caring for them and best of all, plenty of encouragement. NWOS knows it's about growing orchid-lovers...not just orchids!

When I lived in Seattle full-time, my orchids – and heck, every other kind of plant in my home and yard – seemed to thrive. The cool, rainy climate here makes it practically impossible not to have a green thumb! But I wasn’t really into orchids back then, so I never sought out a club of kindred spirits. I wish now that I had.

NWOS membership is $25 a year. I’m going to join!