I'm new to orchids

patticake · #1 (**permalink**) 11-30-2007, 09:15 PM

Hi! I've grown many kinds of plants over the years, and done hybridizing of african violets and streptocarpus. This is my first ever orchid. I've often wanted to purchase one, but was too consumed with raising my 3 children etc.. I saw this beautiful cattleya orchid at a local nursery that caught my eye. (They have MANY orchids) I just loved this one and it decided to come home with me. Now that my children are grown, and I'm newly remarried, I needed to adopt a new "child"! I'll check here from time to time -and have read everything I can to take care of my new addition!

kmarch · #2 (**permalink**) 11-30-2007, 09:37 PM

If anyone is set for success with their new orchid, it sounds like you are! Does your orchid have aname on the tag other than Cattleya?

Welcome to the forum and Happy Growing!

patticake · #3 (**permalink**) 11-30-2007, 09:59 PM

Thanks for the reply! The tag just said cattleya. I figure that it's probably a seedling and not named. That's probably why it was 25.00 instead of 40 or 50 like the others. I thought the flower was prettier! I know that named varieties mean a lot for shows etc. with violets. I'm not going to show this plant or anything, so I figured the name didn't matter. It's a good size -6" pot about 8 leaf "stalks" and one branch w/3 blooms. The blooms are fat! They're a light orchid and the "lip" is cream with a light orchid ruffle. The bloom is about 4-5 inches accross. It's just very soft looking, and I couldn't say no.
Take care, and I'll be in touch! -Patti

Orchidflowerchild · #4 (**permalink**) 11-30-2007, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patticake

Thanks for the reply! The tag just said cattleya. I figure that it's probably a seedling and not named. That's probably why it was 25.00 instead of 40 or 50 like the others. I thought the flower was prettier! I know that named varieties mean a lot for shows etc. with violets. I'm not going to show this plant or anything, so I figured the name didn't matter. It's a good size -6" pot about 8 leaf "stalks" and one branch w/3 blooms. The blooms are fat! They're a light orchid and the "lip" is cream with a light orchid ruffle. The bloom is about 4-5 inches accross. It's just very soft looking, and I couldn't say no.
Take care, and I'll be in touch! -Patti

Actually, orchid naming is quite different from say, african violets or daylilies. All seedlings that come from a given cross are all registered with the same name.

-Cj

evagentry · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 01:45 AM

congratulations on your new purchase ,it will probably be the first of many!

digitalgate · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 11:11 AM

ouch , you are bitten by the orchid bug

cupcake · #7 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 03:27 PM

Of course you do appreciate that addiction to orchids can never be cured!

patticake · #8 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 11:43 PM

Oh, I think it's started... I stopped by the nursery where I got my little darling and they had a few from the same cross. I purchased another one that was from the same cross but a much deeper violet. I didn't want plant #1 to be lonely! This time I got the name of the cross.
(c. Esbetts X Blc. cornerstone) X (Blc Roland Hausermann X Lc.Alcidar)
There was a "bargain" table and I took pity on a sweet little dendrobian.
I have a thing for strays. I think this will do for now. Any avice on the care difference for the den as apposed to the cattleyas? Thanks!- Patti

digitalgate · #9 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 07:18 AM

yap, there is no cure for orchid bug. except for limited budget and big big green house

exasperatus2002 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 12:38 PM

Worse thing you can do is to go to an orchid nursery when you have the addiction. Its like a gambler going to vegas. your better off going to the local hardware store so you only have 4 or 5 choices instead of 100. That way you wont break the bank and lose your saronge (did I spell that right from the other post?)

PhalPal · #11 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 03:05 PM

patticake American Orchid Society has helpful and simple culture sheets for you to print out.

patticake · #12 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 09:25 PM

Thanks! I'll print out the sheets. As far as the addiction goes , I DO have a somewhat limited budget and space for now. I'll hang on tight to my sarong!

PhalPal · #13 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 12:24 AM

Ahhh poor innocent patticake......lack of funds or space has not stopped any of us yet!!

exasperatus2002 · #14 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhalPal

Ahhh poor innocent patticake......lack of funds or space has not stopped any of us yet!!

AMEN!! the only thing that can slow me down is my wife.

digitalgate · #15 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patticake

Thanks! I'll print out the sheets. As far as the addiction goes , I DO have a somewhat limited budget and space for now. I'll hang on tight to my sarong!

hey, Dont use sarong. You speak Americlish , i use sarong because i speak
Singalish.

blackorchid · #16 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 07:42 PM

Welcome and congratulations on your orchids. I am relatively new to orchids as well be i have found them to be very addictive. Have fun and enjoy them.

rmt135 · #17 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patticake

Thanks! I'll print out the sheets. As far as the addiction goes , I DO have a somewhat limited budget and space for now. I'll hang on tight to my sarong!

Sure is addictive. From 01 orchid to 05 orchirds & now 07 orchirds within 02 weeks.

Tommorrow my family want to go an orchird garden. I think I leave my wallet behind.

BTW in NY, you wear saronggg???

alexng · #18 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 10:18 AM

I am new to orchids also. Nice to meet you!

patticake · #19 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmt135

Sure is addictive. From 01 orchid to 05 orchirds & now 07 orchirds within 02 weeks.

Tommorrow my family want to go an orchird garden. I think I leave my wallet behind.

BTW in NY, you wear saronggg???

Lol!! I wore a sarong many years and pounds ago!! In the summer here, it's quite appropriate! Right now we're having some snow. The only ones wearing a sarong (bracts) are my orchids! BTW leaving your wallet behind may be good- but you'll have to spend money on gas to go back home to get it, because you'll want that one VERY special orchid!!

River · #20 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 07:16 PM

Hi Orchid People! I've posted a few posts under Longwood Gardens as a newbie...
there's a great tip there for anyone from the area who couldn't make this last weekends show! I'm not sure how to make my avatar or post my orchid photos from Longwood...glad for any help!

patlee · #21 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 07:25 PM

Once your pictures are on your PC, you just go the the section marked User CP and from there you click on "edit my avatar"and follow the prompts.

Sorry, I'm still struggling with posting pics myself. Maybe Anton, Fred or Kmarch can help you there