Tongue-in-Cheek Question

[Maty]

I now have 42 little orchids and 9 more coming. With the last order I received a medium-sized orchid and only then realized they will all grow up some day.

I feel like the little old lady that lived in the shoe.

My question, what was I thinking?

Whoops. I missed one, little Brassia.

[fred]

dont let that bother you because when the plants do grow into large plants you can always divide them.

Keep the mother plant and sell or give away the other division or even trade the division to get another orchid for yourself.


thats what i do

[Vivienne]

Maty - I'm rapidly realizing that as well! Now I'm trying to pick miniatures or at least plants with a compact growth habit. Not easy I'm finding. I keep getting big plants.

You could always divide and gift when the time comes!

[janet_a]

me three; i have two fairly monster dens and two fairly monster phals at the moment; was able to give away another one that was threatening to grow to monster status (someone who's been growing for literally as long as i've been alive and who works with the orchid collection at the smithsonian said the plant was "very well grown" -pats self on back- ); and now only buy little things that are going to stay little.

i'd definitely recommend joining a local orchid group; it gives you a ready source of people to give plants to when they get out of hand, if you're like me and can't stand the thought of simply throwing them out.

[prisana]

Or you can give them broth and no bread and they won't grow..a little spanking will probably do the job..

No, sorry ..that was my story.

I end up being a parent of 75 orchids in less than 3 years, and I find that they come very handy when I have a birthday or other special occations coming up and I don't know what to get them...orchids always make good gifts.

[BillC]

Maty, you will not have any problems with space when your plants grow up, not with this lot waiting in the wings when you decide to reduce the number you have. I hope they all grow very well and give you much pleasure.

Bill

[DDS2007]

or you can always send some of your orchids to me

[chefatplay]

Maty, the only thing I'm disappointed in is you are in California and I'm in Florida. My orchids are relatively new, but I am accumulating fast. Eight orchids in 3 months. I have a small house, but the view is well worth it. They're so enjoyable aren't they???

[Maty]

I don't know when a hobby has given me more pleasure. I go to another place when I am caring for them. I hope you know what I mean. It is very relaxing. I always remember my Dad. He would have loved it, too.

So, I'm glad I'm giving it a try and I'm glad I found all of you!

Orchids Rule!

[jerrymeola]

The trend in commercial orchid growing is to smaller plants while retaining large flowers and flowering young. We hear what our customers want.

C walkeriana is an orchid known to produce these results in its hybrid offspring. Here is one with multiple crosses to walkeriana. The flowers are 5 inches and the plant is only 8 inches high. It grew flowered from a one inch plug to this plant in 18 months.



And here is a true miniature - 3 1/2 inch fragrant flowers on a 3 inch plant

[fred]

awesome pics Jerry If i was living near you i would be one of your customers

pretty quickly.

wonderful

[Maty]

Yes Jerry,
I love your little recommends with pictures. I wonder if we could have a Jerry column with suggestions and pictures all in one place. Since I've been a member I know you have made suggestions of orchids to keep in mind one other place, but I don't remember where and I didn't jot them down.

I guess it should be open to other growers as well.

I'm sure the super-geeks at this site can figure out something.