Hello from Québec city

[Kindrea]

Hello all!

I'm new with orchids, and actually rather green at gardening (awful pun I know, but bear with me please ).

I just buy plants on a compulsive basis (miniature roses, daffodils, herb gardens, papyrus, cacti, etc.)

About a year ago, I bought some sort of phalenopsis at *gasp* Walmart. (Think what you want but they're one of the place that has never sold me a plant with little red spiders).

That it's still alive is pretty good news. Now from what I understand I must repot *shudders*

In the meantime, even though I haven't managed to make the other plant rebloom, I bought an even more impressive orchid. (At least to someone who lives in a place where the winter lasts 9 months). The only info provided is that it's a Cymbodium (sic), it was misspelled like that on the label. (Bought at a hardware store). It's very good looking if I may say so myself.

I would post photos, but I'm a newbie, so...
Am I already in over my head?

[fred]

hi and welcome to the forum
glad to have you with us
Nope your not in over your head you can ask all the questions you would like to and our knowledgeable members will help you with answers.

also have a look through the forums there is also a heap of knowldge there as well.

Yeah 4 more posts and you will be able to post some pics for us to see.

do you mean a Cymbidium ( Cymbodium )

[Kindrea]

Thank you for your warm welcome.

Yep. A Cymbidium of course. I found out that the label was misspelled when I made a Google search for "Cymbodium" and it only returned a measley 10 000 hits.

I'm mostly worried about space (I have barely any) and luminosity because the weather is not always cooperating in Québec. (Lots of grayish days and of course not a lot of sun during our long winters).

But if I can get the phal in the new pot, that'll be step one into believing I can salvage the Cymbidium. One of the bulbs/stems started drying up as soon as I got it inside the house, so you can imagine it looked like bad news.

[patticake]

Welcome! Don't knock your Wal-mart purchase. It's a great place to start. You can see how you do with the plant without losing a fortune. The AOS has some great culture sheets to download. If you have a decent sized library near you, it's also a great place to gain info. This forum is really great too! I know that Cymbidiums need a lot more light than Phals. I'm pretty new myself, so hopefully someone else will jump in with some info. Good luck!

[Kindrea]

Thanks Patti!

I have already mined the AOS site for info, (this is what led to the conclusion my phal needed repotting), so you see their site was immediately successful.

We'll see if I can save the Cym, it now has a Daylight lamp giving it a little "sun".

It's not the first time I wish I lived in Southern California, but I guess that would just make too much sense

[pikevi]

Welcome to the forum, Kindrea.

I have a few Phals. from Wal-Mart. They are NOIDs ( NO IDdentification). I have not shopped around for orchids in Quebec, but I am sure there won't be any other place there to beat wal-mart's prices.

The only problem is that they almost always have just Phals.

Good luck.

[evagentry]

Hello Kindrea, and welcome to the forum, repotting isnt hard, just becareful of the roots, they break easily,Cymbidiums are nice plants even when they arent in flower but they do need alot of room, good luck with them.

[Tobi]

Hi and welcome to the forum Kindrea. Great people here with lots of information. I also
have gotten some great orchid pickups from Wal-Mart.

[Kindrea]

Thanks everyone for your encouragement.

Originally Posted by pikevi

Welcome to the forum, Kindrea.
I am sure there won't be any other place there to beat wal-mart's prices.

The only problem is that they almost always have just Phals.

Good luck.

Yes, and they don't really have a huge selection of those either. Pink or white and don't even consider anything exotic like yellow.

I bought the Cym on impulse because it was the first time I ever saw one.

There is a good chain called "Centre de jardin Hamel" but everytime I go there I keep wanting to buy that banana palm they have and everything else around it.

Being at the point that everything I buy I have to make room for by throwing something else with history, I try to avoid temptation.

In case anyone was wondering what the Cym looks like

[patlee]

Hi Kindrea, Welcome to one of the friendliest and most useful sites around. You will find lots of answers and helpful hints. Their is even a post somewhere on one of the forums on where and how people grow their orchids. That might give you some ideas of how to handle limited space

I just wanted to tell you that most of us buy orchids wherever and on a whim ,too...I get a lot of mine from "Kroger's"--a local grocery store. When you see something so gorgeous you just can't resist--go for it! One of the best places is Trader Joe's. Do you have one near you? Anyhow, be forewarned: orchids are VERY,VERY addictive.

Welcome again and good growing

[Halcyon]

Welcome to the forum, Kindrea!

I recently bought a phal from Walmart for $5 and it is is a big healthy plant. Our Walmart isn't very kind to its phals and they have to be strong to survive! They also sell dendrobriums at the end of the year.

Have you looked at the Culture Notes on the Canadian Orchid Congress site?

Another Canadian site which may interest you is Howard Ginsburg's Bedford Orchids. He has a nursery in Montreal, specialising mainly in phals, and he has some helpful culture advice on his site.

[Kindrea]

Our Walmarts' problem is that either the "associates" don't really know a great deal about what they're selling or they don't really care about the plants/animals.

Checking Canadian/Montreal sites is a very good idea! Thanks!

[Halcyon]

The next step could be to join your local Orchid Society. They will introduce you to orchids you wouldn't otherwise see, and usually have a trading table where you can often pick up plants at reasonable prices.

I presume Quebec City will be having an Orchid Show in the Spring...this is another great opportunity to just drink in the sights and spend some money!

[articuno75]

Hi Kindrea and welcome! I like the color of your Cymbidium. Very pretty.

[Kindrea]

I'm not aware of any club or association. Maybe I work too much to notice, time to take time to smell the *ahem* orchids. But things are usually informal around here. I'm not aware of any shows either.

Québec is really old (we're celebrating the 400th this year) but it's a small city all the same.

Thank you articuno!

[Halcyon]

Are you bilingual? There doesn't seem to be anything in English, but you're probably used to that!
Societe des Orchidophiles de Québec
Québec
Contact: orchidophilesquebec@hotmail.com
Web Site: Les orchidophiles de Québec

Their Show is April 12/13.

This information is found on the Canadian Orchid Congress site.

[Kindrea]

I stand corrected. French is OK

Thanks for the info, I will contact them. I think I will tell a few friends too about the show!