Orchid Spread Sheet General Care

[Stargazer997]

Hi,
So going from 2 orchids this past fall to 60 presently, all indoors, I've found it necessary to put the care for each Orchid onto an .xl spread sheet. It works, but constant updating and printing, as new Orchids are brought home. I'm wondering if anyone has another tip as to keeping track of when to H20, fertilize, light requirements etc etc etc etc! Is there something online? Also keeping in mind you Apple geeks (Hello, Anton!).

It's my life these days, just want to try to keep track! If that's even possible at this point in my orchid mania, to be polite.

[kmarch]

Hi Stargazer,

I used to colour code my orchids to assist with remembering to water. I went to an office supply store and bought 3 different colour adhesive dots and colour pens to match. Green was every 3 days, yellow was every 5 days, blue was every 7 days. If a plant needed watering every 3 days it got a green dot stuck on its pot, and so forth with all plants and dots. Using the cooresponding colour pens I mapped out on a calendar when each watering for each frequency was to cycle around. Eveyr morning I'd get up and look at the calendar, I'd see (for example) thast today is a 3-day and a 5-day watering and i'd go water all the plants wiht green and yellow dots on their pots. I had approximately 200 orchids when i used this method.

These days i use Excel but I have stopped printing it all out. Just too many changes, too much wasted paper, and too much picking up a sheet and wondering if it is the latest one. My orchid records are pretty much paperless now.

[Anton]

Filed in RAM Kevin ?

Watch out though, RAM is VOLATILE MEMORY.

[Stargazer997]

Evening to All to those around the Globe,
I appreciate the color coding, but I think I'm becoming so aware of the various light requirements, fertilizing requirements (should I be?, think so). I was hoping some IT geek on this forum would have devised a 'tell all, see all' solution that would be available to us all - we who are fastly accumulating too many Orchids to keep track of. Mine are all in a Southern (Minnesota exposure). Maybe it's up to me to perfect that site. Any takers?
Ya gotta love 'em.
A Scandanavian from MinnEEsoda.

[pikevi]

I think Stargazer997 is right on track .

I think it is a very important for some of us, the novices, to keep records of all plants , their needs, and other relevant info regarding their growth and performance.

I have simply numbered the 'pots' and listed them with the respective orchid names and the basic requirement for each of them. I don't, however , print the info out: just that it is there for 'online' reference only.

I wonder if anyone is savvy enough to come up with a database to accomodate all the relevant info?. This may allow one to look at them individually or collectively.

I will ask around , outside of our group, if there is anyone who could help us with a DB/IMS program.

[mayres]

If you guys have Microsoft Access as part of your Microsoft Office Suite I have worked a ton with this and could set you up with a database for collecting and visualizing and printing data - just let me know and we could star trek a little together potentially! mike

[kmarch]

Yes, my coloured dots method only was meant to cover one aspect of their care. FileMaker Pro is a reasonably proced database software that is very easy to configure to your needs. Its has a wysiwyg programing feature that is very easy for those who do not know a database programing language. It would be quite easy to create a FileMaker Pro database that contained fields deliniating the cultural requirements for each perameter (light, water, humidity, etc., etc). You could then search according to cultural requirement or any combination thereof (high light, low water, intermediate temp, for example). You can also export to or import from an Excel spreadsheet.

I have used FileMaker to create a number of different databases for work, some of them quite large with thousands of records. It is available in both Mac and PC versions. It also has multiple user and relational capabilities. Let me know if you have questions about it.

-Kevin

[pikevi]

I do have MS-access but have never used it .I will see if I can use it (if it does not need too much brain-power )

mayres: Is it very hard to use access?

Thanks for that suggestion.

Googled the Filemaker pro. Seems good. But for that price I'd rather buy more orchids and forget about the record/reference keeping

[mayres]

Pikevi - it is VERY easy to "use" microsoft Access once someone goes through the setup process and prepares the database for you to use. It does take a certain amount of effort to train yourself to go through the setup process. I have both self-trained myself by utilizing an excellent tutorial book and taken a few daily classes - plus I have worked for a few years as a "pseudo" computer geek. I'm actually mostly a wannabe and enjoy it as a hobby. mike

[Stargazer997]

Sorry for not jumping back into my own question, but busy H20'ing!
YES!! This is great! Thank you Pikevi, whomever you are.
I also have access. I do QA work by profession, though I feel I know nothing.

I get up an hour prior than needing to, before going to work, just to 'tend'. And I have more on the way! Other than hiring an Orchid Tender, which, god knows, I can't afford. I need relief!

I also want to state, that living in Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes, the weather is so variable, I do not want to put them outside. A tornado one day, a blizzard next, a hail storm the following. Kind of kidding, but..

This again would be GREAT if we can come up with a fairly easy means of keeping track. I am IN! And I'll TEST IT if need be!

Martha

[Stargazer997]

Update, I guess I mean Thank You, Mayres, Whomever YOU are!

[PhalPal]

Hey everyone - My husband is an engineer and is great with computers and excel programs. One of our missions this weekend is to set up a spreadsheet to keep track of re-potting, fertilizing, PROBLEMS (and what I did about it.....)
I can upload it when we are done if anyone is interested.

[Stargazer997]

Interested! Very.
Thank you!
I tried uploading my spread sheet as is, which I think is good, but bombed.
I guess I'm looking for a brain implant that will tell all!

[pikevi]

I am really very excited about the prospect of having all the info at fingertips!!.

I can't offer much help in setting up the DB but I am sure many will be benefiting from it.

Thanks mayres, I will try to work with Access, this weekend if I get some free time. But I have to go to an orchid show as well.

And thanks , Stargazer997 and PhalPal.

BTW, Stargazer: No need to go that far .. just get some supplements, viz.,vitaminB6, B9,B12 and lots of essential fatty acids

[mayres]

A small world it is Stargazer! I have also been in QA for 33 years! (except for a brief side journey into information services for a few years) There are advantages and disadvantages of using Excel vs. Access. I used to use Excel a lot until I learned Access. Over the years I have converted nearly everything I ever did in Excel into Access. At least for the kind of work that I do Access is FAR superior. I do plan on putting together a simple database in Access in the near future and would not mind working with a few others on developing it. If you all choose to go with Excel or some other program that is OK too. Anyone who is interested in test driving Access with me for documenting orchid information just pm me with what information you would want to see documented and any other issues that you would like to see included and I will add that to my own concepts and see what we can develop together. I will need to know what version of Access you have so I can email you a copy in a version that you can use. For example, 2003, XP, or 2000. You can always utilize older version that what you have but never the reverse. We could also continue on this thread or start another one with ideas for documentation if you all want to try that.........Lots of options!

[PhalPal]

Hi Everyone - My brand new computer does not have Access. With an Engineer for a husband of course it has all the other bells and whistles. Is Access a program I can purchase? Cost?

[pikevi]

Hi PhalPal,

I am not sure if you can purchase it as Access. It is part of microsoft's Office software. But if you have ,word or powerpoint or excel, you probably has the licence and hence can install the access. You may need an install disk , though.

May be other's can help you more.

I think the application SF will cost around $500cdn.. and I am not sure if it is worth it.

Ask your husband if he can get a copy of the install disk. And if it asks for the 'key' you may have it at the back of the PC housing(case). If you don't have it, it will be under the :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components

And it will be in one of those long hexadecimal-named folders. If you need it I will find out the right folder that contains MSOffice key.

Good luck.

[PhalPal]

Thanks pikevi - I will loook a little deeper!

[butt0n]

MS Access is a pain in the arse program if you ask me! I admire those who can successfully dabble in it since it was pretty confusing for me when I had to take a computer class in college. I'm not sure either if you can buy it alone, but if you can, it'll probably be expensive. Wouldn't Excel work?

[Stargazer997]

Mayres, Thanks again so much for taking the "lead" Perhaps we should start another thread. You pick! Get as much feedback as possible, and then put some heads together and see what we can come up with. I think the possibilities are vast. However, I'd think that we would want to keep it somewhat simple, as isn't that the point? User Friendly as they say.

I think there is much potential, and various programs out there. I do have Access, though have never used it. I'm open to talking to you over the phone, and whomever else may be interested. Maybe it's already out there. Not sure.

We could become famous, win some Nobel prize over this endeavor!
Feel free to pm me aussi!

Martha

[pikevi]

Nobel prize is too vague( except for the financial reward!)

I am sure you can count on a bigger and better award from OGF:- A BIG THANK YOU

Perhaps finanancial rewards will come from outside the OGF?!

[mayres]

Just a few words about Microsoft Access for those who may not know.
1. Yes, it is part of the microsoft office professional suite. It doesn't come with the basic version. It can be purchased as an add on, but yes it is relatively expensive - would be money you could be directing towards orchids!
2. Regarding Access being difficult to use. Designing a database and putting together queries and reports would be a challenge for anyone who didn't take some significant time to learn the process - either through self-taught books or through classes. HOWEVER, using a database that someone else has set up is as easy as it comes. I have essentially taken people off the street and had them entering data and running reports with virtually no training at all - in minutes.
3. Yes you could use Excel - in fact I have my 90 plants listed in excel currently. However, Access would have so many more possibilities in diplaying the data and ease of entering the data.

Martha - hopefully sometime in the next few weeks I will start a new thread for star treking a little and see what we might be able to come up with.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

My excel file is going to 11 pages single line per plant. Each has its culture data, but I need it constantly available, so have adapted a code system and have the info on the tag in the plants pot. But with 700+ plants that is still not good enough, so have added: yellow tages on plants that should get very dry (like in winter for Dens), green tags for those that should not dry out. Then I have a red tag with the month written in big letters at the top in a pot that needs a change in culture coming up, like almost all my Dens get a culture change sometime in fall, and again in spring. This helps loads. Currently have blue tags in those that are having a wilt problem and need a steady repeat spraying with Phyton 27, and have a pink tag in those that have recently been found to harbor spider mites. These tags will be left in the pot to tell me that these are the plants that mites like and should be checked regularly with a jewelers loop for a repeat invasion. Those that the mites don't like can be ignored for spraying and for inspection.

[PhalPal]

Cynthia - good idea with the various colored tags. I do something like it but on a much more basic level; the only pots with a decorative 'pot sticker' are the ones that I need to check carefully every day for whatever ails them. I am thinking of going to a number system, that is give each plant a tag with a number on it and enter it's information on a spreadsheet. I have a small collection now but know it will grow and I want a good system in place before it gets out of hand!

[Julie_M]

Another alternative for the stickers are cheap colored straws.

As for databases. I have an Access database I designed a couple of years ago. It was a relatively time-intensive task, and includes a form for easy data entry and several queries and reports. Among others, it can track species, primary hybrids, parentage, fragrance, flower descriptions, pictures, growing conditions (light, temps, watering, mount vs pots), remarks, progress, blooming time and length, purchase info, repotting (with the option of creating a report to tell what needs repotting when), divisions, etc. I've tried simplifying it, but even then, I've found the low tech ways work best. Yes, do keep a list of your orchids. But orchids with similar requirements works much better, IMHO. If anyone is interested, e-mail me and I can send it on to you this weekend.

Julie

[Julie_M]

Woops, re-read that last bit. GROUPING orchids with similar requirements works best.

J

[boxerfan]

For those who don't have MS Office/Access and would rather not invest in either, check out Openoffice.org (you may have to Google Open Office). This is a free alternative to Office and my understanding is that it can read/write to Office files. It is a sweet suite . Lisa

[jadenson2000]

Has anyone used a dedicated orchid database to help track their collection. I think I recall seeing one for sale on e-bay from a user called Prof. Pam. It is a PC application that allows you to enter data about your plants.

Has anyone used this?

[fred]

Hi jadenson200

welcome to the forum


I hope that you enjoy your stay here with us.

please feel free to tell us all about your orchids.

I am sure we all would love to hear about them

[CathyG]

I am also looking for a database tool. Did a quick google search for "orchid data base" and came up with an interesting sounding all in one computer tracking tool at http://www.mohltimedia.com/index.html . Cost on this is about $55 including shipping. Check it out. Also looks like it might be a source to identify all of my no tag, out of bloom bargains.

Found a review of the software here http://orchids.bellaonline.com/articles/art5763.asp

I went ahead and ordered a copy of the software. Will let you know what I think when I have it and time to play with it a bit. I have a MS in Computer Info Systems, but that was a while back and I couldn't build an interactive database to save my life, at least not in this lifetime.

More searching and came up with this database for $29 electronic delivery and free trial
http://mpwsoft.8m.com/orchids.html

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Well, after my last inventory, I have decided to keep up the info on my excel spread sheet so that I have a current inventory at any time. This means carrying the paper idea even further. I take a copy, 13 pages, with me to the GH, and am using a paper that is water proof to help. When a plant dies or goes severly down hill, I make a note on my paper version, then update my file when I get a chance. No need to print out a new copy real often, as I can cross off my changes as soon as the file is updated. Since I am now repotting everything once a year, I have a half red tag in pots that need repotting at about the half year point, and full red tags for repotting very soon. Some are waiting for a certain point in developement to be divided. Half yellow tags tell me that a plant is surplus and ready for a new home. One of the reasons for keeping the inventory up to date, is to be able to tell if I have duplicates when a plant blooms, as that is the time I want to dig them out and put then on the silent auction. Being able to see a blooming division really stirs the interest.