Susanka, From the looks of your orchid you aren't doing too shabby :) Most people here will admit to having killed their first orchid very quickly, so getting yours to bloom is an achievement. It's leaves are a little too dark green so I would give it a little more light, but not too much as that may burn it. Slowly (over the course of a few weeks) move it over to a brighter spot and monitor to make sure that leaves aren't getting warm to the touch. Since the orchid has been in the same pot for the 5 years is is certainly due for a repot. Here is a website that describes how to repot. You should be able to get a new orchid mix from your local Home Depot or Lowes store. They usually have an "Orchid Mix" or "Phalaenopsis Mix" consisting of Bark, Charcoal and Perlite. Either one of these mixes would work. If you say that you've been overwatering, it's possible that all the roots inside the pot have rotted away, in which case when you repot you should tuck the aerial roots into the medium. Don't move to a larger pot unless there are lots of roots in the medium, orchids generally like to be a little underpotted (you want to fit the roots not the plant). As to fertilizer, most HD and Lowes stores have an Orchid fertilizer. However any balanced fertilizer around 10-10-10 will do. Make sure you do not over fertilize as orchids can only take in minute amounts of nutrients. Many people fertilize with 1/2 or 1/4 the recommended dose with every watering, aka "fertilizing weakly weekly". Once you start fertilizing you want to make sure to flush the pot at least monthly with clean water from the faucet to make sure that there is no salt buildup. I know that this is a lot of information, and you certainly have more questions, so I'm also going to refer you to our FAQ. However, please don't hesitate to ask further questions if they're still not answered. Also, many people here will recommend that you buy a beginner book on orchids such as Ortho's Orchids. These are also usually available at HD and Lowes as well as Amazon, etc. I hope I've helped and welcome to the forum! Best, Jem

The first one of Bromelia balansae, also called Heart of Fire. I have it in my yard. It makes a huge thicket that can get completely out of control if you aren't careful. We call it the "Burgler Alarm Bromeliad" here. It has spines that point both ways so if you get stuck in it its very very hard to extract yourself without major damage. It has been used as a "living fence" around some prisons. Its more of a deterrent that razor wire. The second looks like a Vreisea. I have a pink one called Pink Cockatoo that looks like that, but Pink Cockatoo is a small growing plant. Your plant looks larger.

I haven't taken more pictures yet showing the foliage as was suggested. I'll try to this weekend. But the leaves do look like those shown in the pictures of euphemiae, with whitish markings - almost striped in some places. I am new with bromeliads but from what I can tell the foliage seems to match, although the flower looks a bit different. Could it be? Is it true that in bromeliads that there can be a lot of variation within particular species?

Pam, That is a beautiful specimen for certain. Succulents of all kinds, including Sedums like yours, are absolutely Cottage plants found in the old world gardens and still found in British and European cottage gardens today. Some are grown in the ground along paths and some in assorted pots. They are absolutely "cottagey". :) I have many types of succulents myself. I love them. They add the most interesting textures and colours to the garden, and are not fussy plants. ~ sweetannie4u