I celebrated with a trip to two Drs. in one day

[chefatplay]

Hi, everyone. I have been doing a lot more reading than talking lately. I have had a medical issue to deal with. Today, however, I went to the medical Dr. and found out the density found in my mammogram is only a cyst, two to be exact. Nothing to worry about!!! It feels great to be healthy!!!

Then I went directly to the orchid Dr. and ended up with:

1. Paph. Supersuk x Paph Raisin Pie, in bud
2. Paph. Macabre 'Magic Wings' BM/TOGA x Paph. Hsingying Web 'Red Wizard'. Already bloomed, 1/2 price.
3. Paph, NOID. Already bloomed, free, since it was a NOID
4. Onc. Mendenhall 'Giant'. It has two stalks, one in bloom, one in bulb both over 2 feet tall.
5. Dtps. Lonnie Morrie 'Nationwide' AM/AOS The neatest red I have seen.
6. Phal Texas Spots 'Odom's' My grower is Odom's. Love the yellow and red.
7. Vanda Malibu Aristocrat 'Vermillion' This one keeps blooming. When one blooms out another stalk comes out.

I look forward to many hours of joy from these. I know I went a little overboard, but, I was celebrating. The orchid doc is tops!!! I have no idea what paph #2 and 3 will look like. I tried to Google #2 last night without much success. Looks like I have to wait..... This is my first experience with Paphs. I have read the sticky on them and look forward to caring for my new babies. It's great to be back.

[Tobi]

Ellen,
I so happy that everything turned out O.K.!! Couln't be more happier for you
and your new additions. Good growing and we'll be waiting to see pics of the
blooms.

[sandra]

If you've got your health, you've got everything, words we sometimes don't think about and lose the meaning of. More than glad that this is behind you Ellen.

Beautiful selection there, especially pic #2. I want one also....very envious here! Paphs are so cool, all orchids are cool, you're cool, we're all cool, life is groovy again and worth everything!

I missed you! Glad you're back!

[NancyG]

Congrats on everything!

Gorgeous orchids too.

NancyG

[chefatplay]

Sandra, do you like my alligator planter? Different, I think.

Tobi and NancyG, thank you so much. The events of the day have made me feel wonderful!

[kmarch]

chef,

You've got good cause to celebrate and it looks like you've done some serious celebration! The Paphs should be nice Maudiae-types with the Macabre hybrid possibly being a farily dark vinicolour.

The red Phal is a firecracker! I love these heavy, fleshy reds. And the Vanda...yum.

Great choices!

[prisana]

Ellen, Welcome back!! Those are some nice plants and the Onc. is to die for. I've been wanting to get my hands on one of it's parents for a while now...sorry it's been that long , I forgot it's name...kahili or something like that..oh well. Good to hear you are okay...

[fred]

Ellen I am so pleased that you got the all clear from the doctor.
you must have went through hell
I am pleased all them thoughts were wrong.

congrantulations and I am please you are back with us.

oh yes I love your new orchids as well

I am over the moon for you

[PhalPal]

I am so sorry you had to go through such a scare Ellen. Really puts things in perspective in a jiffy, doesn't it?? Hugs to you and your family.

[chefatplay]

Thank you all so much. Yes, it has been hell. But all is well now. It talked me into reading the book "Ageless" by Suzanne Somers. Very interesting reading. Anyone else read it?

[pikevi]

We are glad they are only cysts. What else could you do to celebrate except going to the other doctor?

They look great.

Congratulations on both.

[Buttercup]

Ellen, I'm so happy for you! What a scare. I remember your picture from the other post because of your beautiful grandson Maximo Best wishes to you. I was just thinking today that of all my orchids, my paph is responding the best. I think you will love them.

[chefatplay]

Paphs are brand new to me, so I'm a little nervous. I;m wondering if I should keep them a little more wet than my phals? Since they are terrestrial, I'm thinking I should. Any suggestions?

[tizzycat]

You must have been to hell and back - I'm so pleased for you, congratulations on the good news.

[chefatplay]

Thank you, Tizzykat. I felt wonderful when I was given the good news, but I have been doubly blessed by all the good wishes I have gotten here.

[pikevi]

I think kmarch mentioned that the Paphs like moisture. I am keeping the medium moist all the time. They are outside in a mini GH and I hose them down almost daily.

They are doing very well with new growth popping up in many of them.

Good luck, chefatplay.

[Vivienne]

Ellen - that is awesome news to hear! And you certainly did a great job celebrating!!!

[chefatplay]

Viv- I am constantly amazed at your ability to rebound. How is your leg? Thank you very much, too.

Pikevi, I have two in four inch pots and the one in bud is in a two inch pot, how often should I water them, every other day? I would imagine I wouldn't want to soak them for a long time, I appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.

[pikevi]

chefatplay: I remember reading that Paphs. need the medium to be moist. Basically I spray water on them daily since they are outside. The mix is always moist to the touch.

I am not sure if it means anything but I occasionally poke my little finger into the drain hole to assess the extent of water retention in the pot.

So far water does not drip down my finger. If it does then I think it is too much watering. There may be other efficient ways to determine the moisture content.

I will post some pix of mine soon.