Fresh new geek :)

[OnicheK]

OK, OK, I finally learned there was a special section for newbies. So here I am, populating it

I'm originally from Romania, then moved to France for 3 years and now I've been living in Turin, Italy for almost two years.

A few months ago I moved to... ORCHIDS! I've always loved plants and gardening (I'm also a vegetarian), and I thought it would be nice having always an orchid in bloom in the house. I found them "decorative" and the fact that the flowers lasted for long helped a lot.

So I started to buy the silly hybrids you can find in the normal shops -- they are beautiful and they made me fall in love, but they are always pretty much the same and you can never find species.

Then I turned to ebay and bought pretty much whatever I liked, species and fancy hybrids together

Well, Turin is rather cold in winter, plus the climate here is temperate, so I guess tropical orchids are viewed as exotic even by the nurseries By now, I could find 3 orchid nurseries in Italy and I'm still looking. I really like one of them and I buy a lot of stuff from them (plants and materials included).

Here are the species they're selling, if you want to take a look: Nardotto e Capello Shop

Anyways, I'm trying to get a realistic list of what I have. Most of my 'chids are still very young, some of them are in bloom (I'm expecting the Phal. Equestris for the next week).

What else about me? I love taking photos (of my 'chids too, of course) and you can see them here: www.fotothing.com/choices or here www.fotothing.com/onichek.

Well, I guess that's about all for now, I hope I won't give you too much trouble with the tons of questions I have -- I'm only reading the 3rd book on 'chids, so the road is long

Best regards from Italy,

Oana.

[patticake]

Welcome Oana! It's really nice to have you with us! I read a lot of books on orchids too, but sometimes the answers aren't in them! Ask away! There are many people that know a lot about orchids here!! What one doesn't know, someone else will! We love pictures, too!! (hint hint)

[patlee]

Hi Onicheck, Glad to have you with us Italy, huh? My niece just got married and moved to Italy(Rome, I think) . His family is there and after seeing the pictures of the countryside, I can understand why they didn't want to leave--just beautiful Once I talk to a florist, I think I will send them an orchid. Maybe she will become a Geek to learn how to care for her plant...Anyway, should you have any questions about yours, this is the right place to come. We have people here from all over the world with tons of knowledge and experience. And like Patti said, we love pictures. When you can post pics, let us see your orchids! Good growing and welcome aboard

[Tobi]

Hi and welcome to the forum Oana. Great people here with lots of information to help
you.

[OnicheK]

Thank you Patti and Patlee!

I had no doubt about your experience with the 'chids, this is why I enrolled after all

I'm glad Italian countryside has fans abroad, most people are familiar only with the great cities. And I think it would be fabulous to bring to life a new orchid fan, by offering a plant as a gift to your niece.

Since you like photos, here's a yellow one. It's been in bloom for a few weeks now. Nothing special, just a hybrid (Odontoglossum Hallio Crispum album x Odontoglossum Geyser Gold). But it's in bloom

Have a great week-end!ù

O.

[OnicheK]

Thank you, Tobi! I'm actually counting on that

[patticake]

Beautiful color on the Odontoglossum! Thanks!

[jay]

Hello and welcome to the forum! For what you call "nothing special" I think is quite nice. I look forward to see what you call exceptional!

[Neenie]

Welcome, I was once in Florence and just found the experience so wonderful, it was back in my early college days in the late 70's. Yes Orchids become a wonderful addiction and this forum is Awesome. Welcome & Enjoy

[orchid_girl]

Welcome Onicheck!! I am sure you will find you are in great company here with your love of orchids!!

[OnicheK]

Hello, everybody!

Thank you all for the warm welcome and for all the info you already supplied to me!

Jay: As far as I saw, orchid collectors tend to value the orchid species and kind of denigrate hybrids. I'm not doing this, since I'm actually in love with some of my hybrids. One of them is the Cattleytonia I use as Avatar -- you can find it in a larger version underneath this post.

Neenie: if you ever come back, please let me know. I'm always ready and willing to travel

Orchid girl: Thank you and you are absolutely right!