Hooked on phals, now trying paphs....

[taradale]

Hello Everyone ~~ big wave ~~,
Thought I'd stop by and let you all know how happy I am that I found this forum. I definitely need advice and have already been enjoying all the pictures, good advice and camaraderie.

I've been growing phals with some success for years and have found them to be quite tolerant of my nuturing style. Altho, my friends who I talked into getting their own didn't think the same and I would end up getting all their phals they thought they were killing. (I just think they weren't patience enough and doted over them a wee bit too much. Mind you, I made the same mistakes early on too and still make plenty of others.) I almost think of them as pets and talk to them, stroke them periodically, haven't named them yet as someone else mentioned - but, I like that idea. (Yep, already sounding like - old woman with dogs and orchids )

Now I'm trying my luck with paphs and the first one I got for Christmas was in bud, but 'blasted' (I think that's the right term) on me, but the plant seems to very happy with us. I recently purchased a chocolate phap wardii in bud off of ebay and hope the same doesn't happen. I'm just so nervous right now and unfortunately am watching him like a hawk.

Other things you might have an interest in about me, is I'm a Hurr Ivan refugee out of Pensacola FL and moved to Gatlinburg TN last year. I have two older Airedales (12 & 16) that of course are my children and I dot over them terribly. They are joy to live with and both have totally different personalities - so the fun never stops with them .

Well that's enough about me and I hope to get know all of you.