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08-31-2008, 12:12 AM
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 I'm new to the board Hello everyone, I'm not sure if this is where I should be posting, but someone will hopefully tell me if I am wrong... I belong to some other orchid boards online--I think the more knowledge, the better. The amount you have to know about each genus and species and subspecies is overwhelming. I wish I could have a greenhouse--it's just not possible right now, but someday--because then I could expand my options and my collection. I was even thinking the other day that I would love to try a new career as an orchid grower, but then I realized I would need a) seed money-no pun intended! b) a LOT of botanical and horticultural knowledge. Has anyone here become a commercial orchid grower? I just joined the Massachusetts Orchid Society--they may be able to help. Of course, this may just be a pipe dream I'm having because the life of a musician can be quite difficult at times--the recession has really cut into my gigs. I would like to make some friends here. I love all kinds of orchids but minis are my favorites. I have some that are gorgeous when in flower. I also love the Neofinetia falcata (I read a very informative sticky about this orchid by the moderator of the board, I believe.) I will try to post some of my orchid photos. Although I am fascinated by all things high tech (including mathematics and medicine) I am not naturally gifted at computer stuff. So, here goes!        |
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08-31-2008, 12:38 AM
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| Hi and  Those are some nice plants ya got there. You will find a wealth of information here. Your local OS is a good place for info also. And yes there are some comercial as well as semi comercial growers here and they are a great bit of help
__________________ Lyle |
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08-31-2008, 12:58 AM
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| welcome to the forum  nice to have you with us  we do have a commercial orchid grower but that sort of information stays off the forum.  to become a commercial grower involves alot more than knowledge knowledge does help sure but so does the cost factor of setting a business up etc etc thank you for sharing your pics with us |
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08-31-2008, 01:45 AM
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| Hi SuZCC - nice to have you here with us. Joining a local orchid society is an EXCELLENT way to learn a lot about growing orchids in your area. Over time, as you attend meetings and shows you will also become familiar with all the local commercial growers in your area - this will also help in learning what others have done and how it is done and the effort involved - as you over time communicate with them you can potentially gain some insight into the effort and all that is involved. I agree with Fred - MAJOR cost involved and very difficult to make a profit. Some of the small orchid growing businesses in my area - people use it to "attempt" to cover most of the costs involved in paying for their orchid growing hobby. At best, for many it is more of a supplemental income - in order to actually have this be your sole business/job it would of course take even more seed money and startup effort. If you want to find some friends online that love to grow orchids you have come to the RIGHT PLACE! Lots of friendly people here who love to share about orchids. Looks like you have some really nice plants - thanks for sharing the pics of them. |
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08-31-2008, 01:59 AM
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| Hi SuZCC!  It's great having you with us! I myself, have had the same dream. (and been hit with the same realities!) If I win the lottery, I'll call you up! We don't live that far from each other. I love the pics of your chids. Hope to be chatting with you down the road..... My best friend lives in Plymouth- her husband works as an administrator at a Boston Hosp. My nephew just graduated from UConn (go huskies!) and he now works in Boston. My Grandmother is 98, still very sharp mentally, and lives in a nursing home just east of Springfield! I have a lot of Massachusetts connections!
__________________ Patti  Last edited by patticake; 08-31-2008 at 02:04 AM. |
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08-31-2008, 05:32 AM
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| Hi Suzcc Welcome to the wonderful world of growing orchids. I think a lot of us dream at one time or another of owning and running an orchid nursery. To be surrounded by thousand thousands of flower orchids would be wonderful. Best of luck with hobby and the dream Ron |
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08-31-2008, 05:38 AM
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| Hello and welcome. You have some nice orchids there. I know what you mean about having a business. My husband wanted me to try to sell my Cymbidiums at farmer's markets but I don't think I have the business mentality to actually do it. It sounds great to be able to make money off what you enjoy but in reality it probably wouldn't be much fun. Just the financial part alone will take the fun out of it. An orchid growing musician. Sounds wonderful. I'm musically challenged so I'm always awed by people who has that kind of talent. What type of music do you play? Kevin, I didn't know you are a musician. What do you play? The piano?
__________________ Solay |
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08-31-2008, 11:08 AM
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| Welcome to OrchidGeeks SuZCC. This is a great place to make friends and learn. Awesome people here... including music loving orchid growers!! |
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08-31-2008, 07:09 PM
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| Welcome welcome nice to meet you. |
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09-01-2008, 10:20 AM
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| Hello and welcome I'm new myself think you will like these guy's. They have been good to me. I say if you really want to do a certain thing with you're life set you're mind and make it work. While that is happening keep an eye right here and learn from some educated folks I sure have!! Nice pictures, good job-Martin |
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09-01-2008, 12:00 PM
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| Hello and welcome to the forum. I look forward to hearing more about your orchids. Thanks for the pictures.  |
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09-01-2008, 10:45 PM
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| Hi Pattycake, My dad used to teach at UConn (go Huskies!) :-) He is retired now but was in the English Dept. at Storrs. A very popular professor! Would love to meet your Mass. connections. And if you are ever down this way, you must come over to my place! |
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09-01-2008, 10:46 PM
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| Quote:
I am indeed an orchid lunatic musician. A jazz pianist and composer. I have a show coming up on Friday with my band, The Angry Bees. I also teach at Berklee College of Music in Boston. |
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09-02-2008, 01:47 AM
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| Quote:
__________________ Patti |
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09-02-2008, 02:38 AM
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| Quote:
__________________  |
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09-08-2008, 06:39 PM
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| Quote:
 But to answer your question: I generally give a concert once a year at Berklee during KeysFest, which is the first week of March. I also play at various nightclubs around Boston. Some names: (you may not be familiar with these clubs--they are hardly the Blue Note or Village Vanguard (I have played in NYC but not at the most famous clubs) The Acton Jazz Cafe Z Square Vernissage My House Amazing Things Gallery/Concert space I play every week (or used to before their business tanked) at Marcellino's Restaurant in Waltham, which is 5 minutes from my house. That's the main reason I do the gig--it's been almost 2 years. I basically play solo piano background music on a baby grand which is more or less in tune (usually less) It's a combination of jazz standards with a few of my originals thrown in (though most of what I write is too way out for the average dinner crowd) and Italian music (which runs the gamut from Dean Martin to Andrea Bocelli to Italian opera arias and Neopolitan songs.) It's not a bad gig--just does not pay well tho people are nice and on a good night I can make $40 in tips or so. Usually I play Thursday and Friday nights, buut the owner has said to check in week by week and the past few weeks there have not been enough dinner reservations to justify having music. For 19 years (1985-2004) I played with my jazz trio at The Four Seasons Hotel in Boston every Fri. and Sat. Then I finally lost the gig because the new managers didn't like me and I don't play Elton John and Billy Joel songs. (I have nothing against them--I just don't play rock music, which is what they eventually wanted in the lounge.) I even met Billy Joel at the Four Seasons bar--he's a very nice guy and was very complimentary about my playing. We had a conversation about how artists have to do more touring and live shows because we are losing money due to lack of CD sales and downloading online. Anyway, this is really long winded, didn't intend it to be. One last thing: if you are on the Cape Sept. 21, you can hear me play in Hyannis at a place called The Island Merchant from 4-7 pm. It's with the Bart Weisman Group (not my own band.) It's a lot of fun--it's a jam session where singers and horn players, and some guitarists and drummers, come to sit in. If you'd like, I can put you on my email list to notify you about gigs. |
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