My orchid is blooming!

I love orchids, but the one or two specimens that I've owned so far died a quick and unpleasant death. Not enough light, too much light, a lack or abundance of water, bugs -- I have no idea, and thus I refrained from purchasing any more orchids. Now I'm hopeful though, as this one has been blooming on our kitchen table for over three months (I'm not joking!). Friends gave it to me as a present in August of last year, in full bloom, and I had little hope that it would live to see 2009. It lost its flowers a few weeks after its arrival, and when I found tiny red mites on its bare branches a couple of months later, I mentally said my farewells.

In a whiff of optimism and after some internet research though, I misted it with a mixture of water and peppermint soap. The mites were completely gone within a few days, and haven't returned to date. Some time at the beginning of this year I spotted new shoots along with flower buds on the branches I had cut back before. And since about mid-February I am so happy every day to see the four blossoms that don't seem to age at all. As if the orchid went to sleep and forgot about the blossoms...

I believe it is a Phalaenopsis; to water it, I hold the pot under running, lukewarm water for 15 seconds every two weeks or so, and wipe off any water splashes from the leaves afterwards. Seems like that's just what the doctor ordered!