My life with orchids, so far

[slippery_biscuit]

I just thought to put out a few words of my brief orchid experience. Just think of this as a "feel good" story and many of you have had a hand in it whether you know it or not. I'm listing it under cultivation as this is sort of what is driving this little ditty.

From one phal last fall, I bought thru the winter; I think I've around 80 plants now. And check this out... haven't bought any for 2-3 months! Broke the chain. Thought they had the most interesting blooms out there; the variety! A lot of what I bought was budding or flowering, some are mature, and a bunch of little starters.

I've had several plants flowering at any one time. The encyclia cochleata has been blooming for 3 months and shows no sign of stopping. Paph pinnocchio has been in bloom for a month or more, still going strong, and a second bloom about to open up before the first is done. A little yellow paph is on its third bloom and another forming up to follow. I spent a little coin to get a big psycopsis kalihi and it was in bud, with a second spike. It popped one big flower, then a second (still there), then two months after I was screwing around with the second spike and broke the top off, it has sprouted a bit down the stalk and is budding out.

A friend asked me a couple of months ago if I had any reflower. At that time I had to say "no". But now three catts are budding from new growth since I've owned them. A couple of paphs I pulled from the trash are sending secondary stalks out geting ready to bloom. Some of the plants I've received had pretty much dead roots. Thanks to advice here, they have all come back, roots all over the place. New growth popping out even as the roots develop. Probably the time of season, but the amount of new growth I'm seeing on most everything is, amazing, I guess. I'm not used to growing plants that do not involve dirt. Plant, add stick or rock, then add water. Taa Daa!

Some are in the house on water trays (mostly those flowering for display) and the rest are in the small greenhouse. I'm lucky to work at home and can mist a few times a day. Recent obtained a short-duration timer/valve and will install this into the greenhouse for even better humidity and temp control. Will be migrating to more and more mounted plants. Again, given my dirt farming background, I get a kick out of seeing those roots wrapped around things, without any dirt. I have been thinking way outside the box for mounts... old picture frames, tools, most anything on the way to the garbage I have a look at...hmmm.

A few weeks ago I was wondering if this would be a short term fad for me. I guess it still could be, but I do have sustained interest now. The plant cultivation is beginning to be as much if not more of a draw than the flowers.

Thanks for your help. Happy growing to all.
Jeff

[charleyismydog]

Thanks for that great story. I'm so happy for you. Orchids really are so fulfilling.

[fred]

Yes thank you for a wonderful insight of your thoughts.

We here at orchidgeeks are glad that we could guide and help you with all your orchid care needs.

Jeff I thought that this is a mighty fine story that i decided to make the thread Sticky for all to see.

thank you
Happy Growing

[G_THUMBS]

Nice story,orchidgeeks is the orchid information highway Nice, and smart folks here on this site.

[Vivienne]

Jeff, this is wonderful. Thank you for sharing it with us. I know I can relate!

Continued Happy Growing!

[sandra]

Originally Posted by slippery_biscuit

The plant cultivation is beginning to be as much if not more of a draw than the flowers.Jeff

Jeff, my feelings exactly too. I have a feeling you're hooked. The entire cultivation and amazement of these plants and the beauty they produce is what has sustained my interest since February. I find it all so fascinating. It's not the destination, it's the journey.....

As Jerry (forum moderator) said to me in another thread, referencing the entire sum, "this is nature at its finest and enjoy the marvel."

Keep on enjoying!

[snowballsarebad]

good job! It always feels great when everything is healthy and happy and new blooms are on the way, at least for me! Hope your green thumb sticks around for a while!
I think your picture frame mounting idea sounds awesome. So creative, and antique sounding. I'm picturing a frame hanging slanted from the wall, with something growing right in the bottom corner, and maybe another plant on the upper side of it. If that makes sense... ANyways, I think its a great idea!

[BillC]

Hi SB, enjoyed your experience; nice happy ending. Once it gets you, you're got!!!

Bill

[Tobi]

Jeff,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story with us. Glad to see someone basically
starting out growing orchids have the good success you are having. The great
part of growing and collecting is that not only are you rewarded with beautiful
flowers, but it's also an enlighting and wonderful learning experience. Every
day I try to share this enjoyment with a new person. The more people that
are introduced to the joy of orchid growing, the better this world will be!!

[Ellen]

Once you start appreciating the plants even when they're not flowering, you can be sure you're hooked.

[tizzycat]

I don't have anywhere near 80 plants - being in the Uk means that all my plants are kept indoors - but like you I'm trapped, there is no escape the phrase hook, line and sinker comes to mind.

Thank you for sharing your story.

[alice]

Thanks for this wonderful tale about orchid. Orchid really gives nice feelings to people.

[articuno75]

Love the tale Jeff. Sounds like you got hooked around the same time I did, I bought mine a little later though. Don't you love how the addiction works? It starts with one.

[sanja28]

Beautiful story!

[bonnober]

Ummm. Isn't anybody jealous? Sheesh, Jeff. I've had orchids for three years and still have trouble getting them to bloom! Kidding aside - welcome to the addiction. I like your Cattitude.

[myorchid]

Jeff

What a great story! I started my addiction in Aug 2007, and now have 30 plants. I think we are so lucky to have all the orchidgeeks to help us!

Keep growing!!

[solay]

Great story. Love happy endings. I for one have always loved plants and gardening in general but have just recently gotten into orchids. Now the trick is to get to where you are. Blooms and all. Thanks for sharing.

[ryanjoe888]

hahaha once hooked to orchids you will definitely be hooked on and on and on .... i started being hooked to orchids as early as 18 years old, it stopped and continued i think 23 or 24 and it stopped and now im 29 im starting all over again... i can't sleep without going to a plant shop to look for a new orchid... i am really hooked now on strapleafs, i don't know but it removes my stress when i go look at them on the garden....

[davetheorchidaddict]

Our addiction takes many different paths to hook us, it is not that bad, never heard of anyone getting arrested for DUO (Driving Under influench of Orchids) have you?

I got bit and my collection did not grow that fast but it did grow so I built a shade house which needed to be enclosed at times in the winter when the temperature drops in the winter or they were brought in the house. When our daughter was getting married and we realized it would mean borrowing some money my wife made a statement that I will never forget, "Why don't we borrow enough to get you a greenhouse while we are at it." I was driving along a busy highway so all that I did was raise my eyes and say a silent, "Thank You." The only problem is that the seemingly large greenhouse filled all to fast, now I hope she thinks we need a new one.

Have fun, never know where our addiction will take you.

[slippery_biscuit]

Wow, it's been over a year and I never thought this post would hang in there as it has. Here is a short update, 30 words or less. Yikes, how about 130...

The rate of orchid procurement has dramatically slowed, probably due mostly to lack of available space. Haven't lost very many... I could count them on one hand, and most of that mortality occurred shortly after the plants' arrival. I'll blame that on the previous grower and shipping.

The greenhouse is stuffed with timed lighting, two-stage heating, and misting in the summer. Add the plants and at 6x12, there is little room but to walk in, turn around and walk out. To that end, I've been acquiring material for a larger facility. In the range of 12x20, but could easily end up being 20x25. It would be more of a sun room than greenhouse. Couple chairs, small table, water feature, even music. Reggea, of course, given the tropical setting.

Pleased to say I've had several plants re-flower for me. and many flower for their first time. Leaning towards the catts, but will have a good balance of others in the mix. Recently picked up a few bulbos, as the two I have have done well. Next with them is to create a micro climate and try to get blooms.

It's been a hell of a year with many reasons to have dropped this activity, but they have survived the other events and I'm looking forward to even bigger and better things. I gotta admit, when that weird looking Stanhopea bloomed, it was a real shot in the arm.

happy holidays!

[chaidi46]

hi...i am di and i have 5 orchid plants...3 are phals and 2 are dendrobium minis...now 1 large phal i have had for 3 yrs. when i had 7 all the rest died...sadly ...so i have gotten some new babies as holiday gifts ...here i go again.....i am hooked...but i will need help...right now my 3 yr old phal is sprouting a new shoot..!!! and in awhile it should bloom...first time since i got her...i welcome any tips and want to keep my new plants healthy...but i am on a budget like most people these days...thanks ..

[Kayla]

Would you recommend spraying once a day than watering once a week?

[chaidi46]

hey jeff....i am hooked...i only have 5 orchids ...so far...i got pics in the gallery...2 of my phals that i never could get to bloom are sending off shoots !!!! i am happy happy...i mist them once or twice a week ...water when dry...and feed once every 6 weeks..i also talk to them...( silly ) i am so thrilled to have nurtured my orchids so well they are going to give me a show of blooms !!!! thanks for your help... di...

[janeteagle]

Hi Jeff
thanks for your interesting post. Have you thought about growing your orchids up moss covered poles, it would look so nice and easy to mist them.
just a thought.
janet eagle

[mreckner]

I started out with a pink Phal. Now I have a yellow/pink Phal hybrid. Both are stunningly beautiful. I'm totally hooked. Just trying not to be all panicky and paranoid (failing miserably), and trying not to kill them.

[lovely09]

Orchids is like an inspiration to me.It's my first flower plant on my first garden.I made a successful planting and since then i always think of my orchids when planting new crops or flowers.

[davetheorchidaddict]

Getting a plant to rebloom is one of the high points and still thrills me. I had never looked at how many that I have killed over the last 19 years until I decided to make a complete inventory, I have a program that list all the orchids that I have ever purchased. I was really shocked when I saw the member, about 600, I did learn one thing from this project - do not look at the bad side - dead plants. I have almost 400 orchids now and have decided it is time to reduce the collection - let me tell you that is harder than having one die naturally. You can always say that you have to find out what they needed that you did not provide but getting rid of them is like throwing your children or pet out.

[PhalNewbie89]

Originally Posted by mreckner

I started out with a pink Phal. Now I have a yellow/pink Phal hybrid. Both are stunningly beautiful. I'm totally hooked. Just trying not to be all panicky and paranoid (failing miserably), and trying not to kill them.

I just recently acquired a pink phal and I am also trying hard not to be too paranoid. I have never had an orchid before so I am really worried I might kill it, and if I do that I may not have another orchid for a while cuz I just happened to get this one from my aunt. I am too hooked to not have one now :P

[davetheorchidaddict]

slippery_biscuit I just re-read your post about the greenhouse size, I have found that no mater what size you start out with it is never large enough. We fill them then run out of space in a year or two. Good Luck