Another intro...!

[MandarinAlone]

Hullo folks, I saw another intro thread, but it looked like it had become more interpersonal, so I decided not to butt-in, as it were... So yeah, new here, looking to absorb as much info as my add-wridden brain possibly can before I up and make the move to pick up my future "testicle" plant! I have a tendency to jump into things without looking too well first, and even though I do alright, Im taking a different approach here, preemtively educating myself and all. One question I got though, 'cause its fresh on my mind; I saw a Google add on the first page I saw for this forum, and it was for this dude here: htp://w w. sunshine-4u.com/orchid/ . Question is, anyone ever try that stuff? Does it work/not work/cause undue catastrophe/explosive growth? Thought that was interesting, a potential way to bolster my noob-tactics on the way to a succesful orchid, but Im wary of miracle potions and clever ad schemes...

Anywho, if typing my name out gets to be too much of a chore, you can just call me Dan, and the name refers to what I consider to be the orchid of the sea: Synchiropus splendidus! Google it.

[mayres]

Hello Dan -
May I suggest your local orchid society as a GREAT way to learn about orchids and learn lots of useful information. They meet the fourth friday of every month and they have their own web site - http://www.napavalleyorchidsociety.org/
mike

[MandarinAlone]

Originally Posted by mayres

Hello Dan -
May I suggest your local orchid society as a GREAT way to learn about orchids and learn lots of useful information. They meet the fourth friday of every month and they have their own web site - [THE KIND OF BB CODE I CANT EVEN QUOTE]URL removed because of this obnoxious URL posting restriction, causing me to hit the freaking back button three times because I cant even quote one for crap's sake. Retarded.[/GUESS WHAT KIND OF CODE THAT IS.]
mike

Hey Mike! Thanks for that, already looking at how Im going to show up at that dealio, as Ive never attended something like that before; am I supposed to bring something, like a notebook? And thanks for the reply as well, I was going to check back on this one of these days and remark that I probably had more thread views alone than letters in the scientific name of the Oncidium Ive got about now! Im thinking this society will have the breakdown for me though, so I suspect I wont be around here for while yet at least. Cheers!

By the way, admins or mods reading, that URL post restriction is supremely annoying, and I can imagine you guys having nearly 1/8th the spammers of other special interest forums like aquaculture and whatnot, and therefor its also kinda useless.

[mayres]

Hi again Dan -
Sorry about the URL posting restriction - I don't know why they do that? Must be some annoyances that it helps to deal with - folks that are not really particpating for the good of the group? Anyway, you don't need to do anything to attend an orchid society meeting other than show up. Of course every group will be somewhat different depending upon the makeup of the individual members - but you will most certainly find fellow orchid enthusiasts and lots of great information. I have only been to my local society here in Oregon, but in reading I get the impression that they are mostly of a similar format - members bring plants to sell or trade, members bring plants to "show off", raffle plants are available at each meeting, good one on one conversation with members before, during and after the meetings, goodies of some kind, and a presentation of some kind by either one of the group or sometimes they bring an expert in to speak to the group. Good luck - hope you find it enjoyable. mike

[Sara]

Welcome Dan!
I see you are a salty lover. I used to have saltwater fish for a while, then I had a case of Ich.
Kudos to you for doing some research before jumping in.
You'll find everyone here very friendly and helpful. You'll love your new addiction... I mean HOBBY. lol

[orchidsinjersey]

Hi Dan,
I asked the same question about that website on another orchids forum. The reply was it's a big-time scam; the guy makes the same claims for bonsai, lawns, roses, and dog food (I am not kidding).

[MandarinAlone]

Hullo folks! Wow, replies?! Sweet, Im just biding my time till the 25th when the Orchid Society here in wino-land meets! Ive already aquired some sort of Oncidium that I cant really identify 100% positively, but its a pretty common one of that genus it appears (bought it in Trader Joes, looked spectacular with a vigorous bloom [inflorescence?] going on! ), and my mother already has some long-standing experience with orchids, so Ive picked up some tips from her as it were. Then threw myself into Wikipedia, following all the imbedded links as best I could, learning about the root structures and symbiotes, etc.! Holy calzone, Ive always heard that theyre some of the most highly evovled of all the plant kingdom, but MAN! This is some hardcore stuff, not "my first house plant kit" crap! So yeah, been looking at photos of all the different species and genus' at this site here (URL not complete to fool the board; its legit): ttp://w ww.orchidphotos.org/index.html . All it needs is the "h".

So yeah, I was way into the reef scene for about a year there Sara, but for some reason I decided to move on to the little white demon Ive got on my shoulder right now; from the seas to the skies! LOL (image restrictions too eh?) Cockatiel named Mel; I loved and still miss my reef tank, dont know what made me up and change like that, but it turned out for the better, since Ive moved once since then, and looks like Im about to move again, and Ill tell ya right now; a cockatiel is a sight more transportable than a 29 gallon with LPS and other softies! Someday in the future, when Im more settled down, Ill go for the gold, build myself a 1000 galloner with its own maintenance room and generators and all that! I tried uploading an avatar of the fish from my screen name too, actually; my favorite fish of all time! But there was some sort of PHP-puke that leaves a white screen after I supposedly uploaded, and it doesnt... Sigh... This board is pretty funky, but then I guess its not your average group of forum-goers either, lol. I had a mated pair living happily in my tank way back when...

[MandarinAlone]

Originally Posted by orchidsinjersey

Hi Dan,
I asked the same question about that website on another orchids forum. The reply was it's a big-time scam; the guy makes the same claims for bonsai, lawns, roses, and dog food (I am not kidding).

I see, but if its one guy, or at least an easily identifiable group, why dont they just IP ban those guys and/or deal with whatever number of spammers get by that manually? I mean this restriction is just plain nuts.

[Sara]

Sounds like you had a pretty cool setup Dan! The only fish I have now are a couple of bettas.
Ah yes, I'm familar with the little feathered demons. I have a couple of them myself. lol Both turned 5 years old this month. Bird cages are definetly much easier to move than a fish tank. lol
That's nice that your mum knows a thing or two about orchids. Enjoy your new Oncidium! Can't wait to see some pics!

[arleneg]

Hi Dan,

Welcome!

I googled Synchiropus splendidus. It's a beautiful fish! I've never seen one before.

Am I correct in reading that you're moving? Well, if you are and still within the bay area, there's an annual Pacific Orchid Expo in San Francisco held during the 3rd weekend in February. I've gone the last two years and always end up going home with one orchid, at least.

[MandarinAlone]

Originally Posted by Sara

Sounds like you had a pretty cool setup Dan! The only fish I have now are a couple of bettas.
Ah yes, I'm familar with the little feathered demons. I have a couple of them myself. lol Both turned 5 years old this month. Bird cages are definetly much easier to move than a fish tank. lol
That's nice that your mum knows a thing or two about orchids. Enjoy your new Oncidium! Can't wait to see some pics!

Yeah, hes a cool little bugger, as they all are, as you know! MY setup was actually kinda rudimentary for a reef setup; just compact flourescents to support the LPS and softies and your basic skimmer + HOB filter, live rock/substrate and a couple powerheads! But it was really just a school project at the time that I went farther with than was academically necessary! lol

Id like to take photos, but I dont have those lovely backgrounds everyone else seems to have! Dont want to see an orchid still in the potter from the store (was advised not to transplant/repot during bloom)with my kitchen in the backrgound!