Orchid surprise in the backyard

Last July I was given a cymbidium orchid plant.

Prior to that, I had never tried to grow an orchid plant outdoors here in Northern California.

The orchid is in a plastic pot, growing in mostly filtered light under two large tree ferns.

I have never given the orchid fertilizer, but made sure that during the drier months it was watered.

It just was producing some long leaves until now.

Imagine my surprise a couple of weeks ago when I looked out the bedroom window to the backyard and noticed this cluster of blossoms growing on a spike the plant had shot up.

It must be enjoying the spring rain.

And here is the spike with buds growing out of the orchid plant protected by tree ferns.