what flowers does the florist keep at home?

it is nearly time to say farewell to my friend the cymbidium. these blooms have been pilfered so many times to be wired, taped, or artfully (if i do say so myself) set inside a glass bulb with some moss. most of the blooms are fading now, intensifying in color with their advanced age and beginning to curl closed. one has fallen off entirely, for now resting in the tangle of leaves in the center of the pot. i shall fish it out when i am less sad about it.

when the last bloom falls, i have no idea what i’ll do with the space this plant occupies. it’s on and end table, which happens to be in the middle of the room next to a floating sofa. whatever goes there needs to be tall, since the ceiling is so high right at the place and everything else in the room is vertically uniform.

as to the orchid, i need to study up on what to do to coax him back into bloom. i hear colder temperatures and bright light are preferred for an extended period of time, but i have serious doubts about my ability to bring him back around. advice is welcome. it would be easier to just replace it, but perhaps less rewarding. who am i kidding, though? instant gratification will likely win.

make sure to see what everybody else brought to the flower party, hosted by the most gracious ms. jane.