New Geek

[pmckoy]

Hi...I've already posted a couple of questions (and have been answered...thanks, all!!) But thought it was time I introduced myself. I live in the central part of SC, USA, on a 70 acre farm (lots of room for orchids, and roses (my other love). My husband is a veterinarian, and we are finally getting out of the horse business, so I am going to have lots of time to spend on my orchid children (I do have 2 daughters...1 married, the other a Jr in college). I have had orchids for about 15 years. When my mother died in California I brought all of her beautiful cymbidiums to SC...they lasted about a year, and I have since discovered that cymbidiums need cooler nights then we have here. I do have 1 warmth tolerant cym that I hope will be old enough to bloom this year. Right now, all my orchids (Phals and a few rescued from Lowes Catts, 2 Phrags and the cym) all live in my sunroom. It has 3 sides of glass and faces east and south, so they seem to do pretty well. I have just repotted everything, some in SH, some in baggies with damp moss (I found LOTS of rotten roots on my phals when I repotted them...so the room kinda resembles a nursing unit at the moment. I'll have to keep you all posted on how we are doing. I have been cruising around the forum learning as much as I can, so that from here on hopefully I can keep all my babies happier...they kinda got neglected when I was so busy with my daughter and her horses. Hubby says he will build me a greenhouse soon.... I've decided it probably makes more sense to buy health orchids from Carter & Holmes (about 1 1/2 hrs from here) than to keep rescuing these poor pitiful neglected catts from Lowes.... Oh well, can't help feeling sorry for them, and some of them are growing new roots. Looking forward to being part of the forum! Peggy

[PhalPal]

Hi Peggy and welcome to the Orchidgeeks!
As you have already discovered, we are a great, helpful group of orchid fans.
I grow indoor phals and outdoor cyms; I do love our cool nights and so do my cyms!
I lived in Simpsonville for four years when I was a teenager. NO cool nights there! So Howdy again and look forward to chatting with you.

[mayres]

Welcome Peggy - like your avatar! If you have been growing for 15 years you should have lots of information to pass around - look forward to hearing from you again soon..........

[chefatplay]

Hi, Peggy! I'm looking forward to having you join the group. Despite what my award looks like, I really read a lot more than reply. Can't wait to hear about your experiences and experience. I have actually turned into an orchidholic since joining this group.

[Tobi]

Hi Peggy and welcome to the forum. Looks like you got a great home for
your 'chids'. Please post some pictures when you can. Would love to see
what you're growing.

[pmckoy]

Hi all. Thanks so much for the warm welcome! I knew I was in the right place the first time I visited and saw all the cats in the avatars!! I wish I had found you all back when I first started in orchids...the successes I have had have been primarily due to luck, certainly not knowledge!! Alot of my orchids have suffered from root rot (due to overwatering the moss they were planted in!!) and scale...also some kind of bug that leaves a sticky goo on the leaves...I was ready to toss all of my plants when I decided to give it one last try. I dunked all of them in soapy water, sponged off all the leaves, and repotted in fresh medium, mostly chc...recently I have switched some of them to SH. I have the very "sick" ones in ziplocs with high humidity and damp moss trying to regrow roots. We'll see what happens!! Have a great day! Peggy

[jay]

Welcome to the forum.

For some of the scale problems, you might try worm tea. I have read that it will help with that, and may help prevent it all together.

I have recently moved all of my orchids to S/H and love it. I look forward to hearing about your results with it. Did you only move phals into S/H? Or are there others?

Jay

[PhalPal]

Look at all our pretty kitties!!!!

[pikevi]

Welcome to the forum, pmckoy.

Some of us are just 'takers'. With 15 years of experience I am sure you will be a 'giver' too

[pmckoy]

Hi. I'm sure I'll be much more of a "taker" than a giver...have been an ignorant grower of mainly Phals, rather than anything more difficult... Now will all of your help, I am hoping to expand into some more challenging varieties!! Hope I don't get overly enthusiastic and kill everything!!!

I discovered another Phal with scale this AM and have sprayed it will worm tea...will let you know how it works!

PhalPal...your kittie is beautiful...a burmese? My Nemo is very humiliated that I posted his embarrassing photo as my avatar...he is really quite a handsome boy, and I'm nuts about him. Have had him since he was 1 day old, so he really thinks I'm his 'Mom".
Peggy

[PhalPal]

Nemo's picture is so cute. You need to remind him that if he doesn't want embarrasing photos spread all over the internet he should be more careful about posing in compromising positions.

The present kitty in my avatar was born under the very desk I am sitting at now, along with five others. His Mom was a stray that picked my porch (covered) and me (sucker/softie). He is a twin and I ended up keeping both of them (much to my husbands dismay) but how could I split them up???? Timmy and Tommy are heaven knows what and a true delight to share my home with. In fact, EVERYtime I am sitting at this computer talking to all of ya'll, I have a purring Timmy in my lap.

This is Alex; he's a ragdoll. Yes, I'm a proud Pet Mom! Don't get me started on my Golden Retrievers!!

[chefatplay]

Gorgeous cat, PhalPal. Hubby won't let me have anymore cats. Of course, if I did, I would have the cat, Scooby(Jack Russell) and Tennessee(Coon hound, 75 lbs) all in my lap while I watch TV at night. Makes for a crowded recliner!

[tizzycat]

Welcome Peggy, Nemo is also in good company here.

Phalpal Alex is gorgeous, but aren't they all.

my husband thinks I'm potty taking pictures of the cat, but who cares

[pmckoy]

Oh PhalPal...Alex is just beautiful! I've always wanted a ragdoll, but husband says no more cats. AND Nemo tends to be very jealous. He does have several other cats he needs to put up with, but a new kitten would probably do him in. He thinks the world revolves around him! Oh well, back to my orchids. I just received my worm tea....now I need to find out how to mix it up! Bye for now, Peggy

[boxerfan]

Hi Peggy, great to see another South Carolinian among the Geeks. I'm looking forward to hearing more from you as we have similar weather conditions for growing our 'chids. Welcome aboard, Lisa