Greetings

[Orchidity]

Hello all,

About three years ago I purchased a new home in the mountains of western Virginia, with a wonderful great room and wall of windows that reaches 25' in height, south and east exposure. As a housewarming gift I received a beautiful cymbidium (forgive me, I know not which) with the most incredible green flowers that I spent probably way too much time staring at. I knew then I was hooked - though wasn't sure just what I was getting into.

The cymbidium has yet to bloom again, though I enjoy the foliage, and the plant is quite healthy.

So, I did the typical newbie thing and bought a few Phals from Lowes, the next year I branched out with an Oncidium and Dendrobium, then Cattleya, all with much more luck than I expected. I've now expanded the collection to also include Asocentrum, Dendrochilum, Encyclia, and Stenorrhynchos - most of those that are relatively easy to care for given the light and space in my home.

I will post photos, though I suspect nobody wants to see the hodgepodge of Phals that are currently starting to spike.

My girlfriend thinks I'm nuts, my male friends wonder when I might venture out of the closet, but hey, I'm having fun watching things grow, and loving the detail involved (I'm an engineer).

I hope to learn a lot, so bear with me as I ask what are probably some really silly questions!

Cheers,

Jody

[made4engineering]

Welcome to the club!

[jay]

Jody, welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy your stay here. Can't wait to see some photos of your orchids.

I personally really like some of the technical things about growing orchids. I built a couple of LED light kits for supplemental lighting, and I grow them all in hydroponics. As an engineer, these things might interest you as well.

Jay

[blk_seedorchid]

Jody WELCOME! Orchids are amazing aren't they I can't get enough of them. Enjoy the site lots of good people here!

[articuno75]

Hi and welcome Jodi !!!

You have been bitten by what we call on the forum the addiction bug Great isn't it?

The only silly questions are the ones that are never asked. So fire away!!!

Can't wait to see your pics.

[exasperatus2002]

This is one addiction I wont complain or go postal about if my daughter catches it. Welcome to the site.

[BunnytheOrchid]

Welcome! I definitely want to see this so-called hodgepodge! I also have a phalaenopsis reblooming at the moment. It's so exciting to watch isn't it? Hope you enjoy it here!

[flowerchild]

Welcome to the forum Jody!!!!As for your friends thinking your nuts, nope just addicted to orchids!!!!! Welcome once again Cindy aka flowerchild

[Tobi]

Hi and welcome to the forum Jody. Looks like you're well on your way be becoming an
orchid addict. Great people here with lots of info. ENJOY!!!

[Rocinante]

Hi and welcome Jody! Don't worry 'bout what your friends think, real men grow orchids too. And we here on this forum never get tired of a fellow grower's hodgepodge.

[Dan_Davis]

My addiction has overflowed to the bonsi rhelm. Thought that as well........

[Don1]

Howdy,

I have been in a family of orchid lovers for years. Now I am hopelessly hooked! I have just finished my second greenhouse which will relieve much of my current over-crowding. Rain water or RO water is the only choice here due to the amount of sodium in the city water. Warm growing orchids do best here due to the high temperature most of the time. I have been doing some hybridizing and have many crosses going---can't wait to get that first bloom. Looking forward to hearing from and chatting with other growers.


Don1

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by Dan_Davis

My addiction has overflowed to the bonsi rhelm. Thought that as well........

My addiction evolved from the bonsai realm...I guess you can call bonsai my 'gateway' drug!