Supply shopping list suggestions for newbies

[OttPam]

Hi all;
Since I seem to be jumping into orchid-love with both feet and our local annual OS is coming up in a couple of weeks, I was hoping for suggestions for "must-have or nice-to-have" supplies for the beginner orchid enthusiast. My shopping list so far contains:

1. Light meter
2. SuperThrive root stimulant
3. fir bark in various sizes
4. charcoal, perlite and clay pellets
5. Worm Tea Extract (if I'm lucky enough to have a vendor at the show who carries it)

Could I ask for suggestions about what other items would be useful for a new orchid geek? For example, other than the standard 20-20-20 fertilizer, what others should I look for?
Thanks in advance

[Anton]

Pots would be handy.

It pays to have a variety of shapes and sizes to cover any eventuality. For example you may want to use some flowering orchids inside as decorations, so you want a pot that is asthetically pleasing, or you may have to "pot on" so then you'll need some pots 2 to 3" larger than the one your taking the plant from.

I have a myriad of sizes inpots to cover all eventualities.

Another MUST HAVE is a packet of the famous "Schnitz's Water Skewers" (look up it up in "Search" ) under the heading skewers.

Cynthia may be able to tell you what pest eradication liquids to get in the States.

That's a start.

[arleneg]

In addition to the above suggestions, have some sphagnum moss, plant shears, razor blades and extra spray bottles in your inventory.

[turkeytaker]

Along with the other suggestions:

Physan, malathion for pests and disease.

Depending on what kinda plants you're going to have, you may need to get r/o water so that more sensitive plants don't get burned and die from the salts in the water.

Drip pans, supplemental lighting (if needed), shelving...

and most importantly...a FAT wallet.

Good luck.

[Lin]

A max-min thermometer so you know how far the temp is dropping at night, or how hot it gets while you're at work.

A good orchid book.

[jerrymeola]

A suggestion on bark is not to buy a mix too large. I like fine to medium mixes for pots up to 4 inches. Large bark I reserve for 6-8 inch old plants.

I am very into organic these days. I have a commercial nursery and I do not use Physan, malathion, Captan, RD-20 or any of the other common or not so common poisons. I do use Worm Tea.

I do like Charcoal, pumice, perlite and clay pellets in my mixes.

Take your time. I still do not own a light meter (you can use a camera) and never got around to hook thermometer. You do not need everything at once.

Pots, mixes fertilizer and water make for healthy plants.

[Julie_M]

Hi Pam,

All of the above recommendations are very good, but I would add Neem oil, an all around good and organic bug spray. And welcome to the wonderful world of orchids. I strongly encourage you to join the Ottawa Orchid Society... as program chair, I am admittedly biased, but... This month's meeting (April 15) will be all about the show, including an intro to all the activities that will be taking place at the show. We usually also have a few vendors there and you could pick up some of those materials already.

A couple of specific tips: Lee Valley has started getting in some nice orchid supplies. The sphag they carry is especially good. I've been disappointed by what was available in terms of supplies from show vendors in previous years. Be sure to see Angel Orchids - she stocks various sizes of bark and carries MSU fertilizer. I don't know the exact proportions offhand, but my orchids really took off when I started using it. Brite Lite, a local hydroponics store, is also a great source.

Good growing.

Julie

[kmarch]

We all are a product of our unique orchid growing experience and so all have a very different take on what we find necessary and helpful for starting out. Enjoying and growing orchids doesn't require a big commitment in time and money unless you want it to. When I was a newbie, the complete list of supplies I bought with my first orchid consisted of:
1. clay pot with saucer ($1.05)
2. one small bag of fine orchid mix - make sure it is appropriate for the kind of orchid you have - ($4.95)
3. one small package of fertilizer ($6.95)
4. Ortho's All About Orchids ($11.95)
5. membership in a local orchid society - An odd thing for a shopping list? Not really. "Buying" a membership in my local orchid society was some of the best spent orchid money i ever shelled out. I learned so much so fast: what kinds of orchids to grow in my house, how to water, how to repot, what works for others (and therefore what might work for me), how much light, how much humidity, how to adjust your conditions, etc., etc. in addition to things like the latest breeding trends and species orchids from around the world. ($15/yr.)

Total cost: $40.89 (in 1995 US dollars including sales tax)

With only a few orchids in my care, and growing only in my windowsill, that basic list was sufficient for a couple of years. Later, as i got more plants, I also bought:

6. a small pair of shears to trim dead leaves and roots ($12.95)
7. something to sterilize the shears (I can't now remember the brand name) ($?)
8. plastic pots (which i didn't have towater as much) (maybe 60-80 cents each)
9. a humidity tray (homemade with a shallow pan and aquarium gravel) (about $5)
10. a small oscilating fan - for better air circulation ($19.95)
11. a bottle of Safer Soap - mild detergent insecticide safe for use in your house ($7.99)
12. a thermometer - I bought a cheap one with a small humidity gauge at the bottom ($7.99)

Total additional cost: approximately $56

Not until much later, and well after I could no longer be called a "newbie" did I start buying stands and lights and humidifiers and mounting materials, etc., etc., etc.

I believe, as a newbie, you really only need a few very basic things to start. If you're growing in your home (which probably 99% of newbies are) you don't need industrial strength commercial greenhouse chemicals, expensive equipment, or an elaborate set up. Enjoying orchids doesn't have to break your bank. There are lots of gagets and things that some people find helpful but that are not essential. Like anything, this hobby can be as simple and economical or as elaborate and expensive as you like or can allow. Start small and grow as you learn. And ENJOY!

[PhalPal]

Newbie to Newbie- Welcome! I have been all over the internet (and I do mean ALL over) and a very basic site gave me lots of insight at good prices. Try www.orchid-depot.com for basic equipment. He's a small orchid hobbiest who filtered out some basic equipment so all of us don't go through the terror he did of doing it for ourselves! Besides the Ortho book (excellent!) don't overlook 'Orchids for Dummies'. After reading numerous books, this one answered some basic questions that none of the other more advanced ones did not address. Also - be careful with the Malathon if you have indoor pets. Good Luck!

[pikevi]

A packing of disposable rubber (surgical) gloves may be very useful too, to protect the hands as well as the plants (I guess!!??).

The suggestion for neem oil is a great idea since it seems like a panacea for a variety of problems in Orchids, as per many literatures on the 'net. I am also very cautious, as jerrymeola is, about using 'synthetic chemicals' on plants that I handle or which are kept indoors.

[OttPam]

Thanks everyone for the useful suggestions. I was able to pick up some Neem oil last year and can already attest to its wonderful properties! I do have plans to join the local society in a few weeks, and having been to one or two meetings as a guest can see that it will be a wealth of useful information.

In a sense it's reassuring to hear that the basic supplies are minimal and that leaves me more $$ to spend on plants!