Orchid Project Suggestion

[sandra]

I'd like to make a suggestion that I know could be a lot of fun, an excellent way to learn more about orchid culture and would involve member participation. An orchid growing project in which members would first vote by poll, on an orchid to grow. We can put together a list of orchids first for consideration before the vote. It would have to be purchased then, not one that's already in our possessions but a new plant. The objective could be in getting it to flower but it's overall progress because of our vast growing differences, I think, would be prove quite interesting to all of us. Members would post updates with pictures, include their growing spaces and the culture they're providing, etc., etc., etc. Perhaps an entirely separate category in the forum could be implemented for this.

Would members here be interested in participating in something like this?

[articuno75]

I have many questions.

1. Would it be only one species that everyone would work on or a multitude? For instance one group say work on Phals while others do Dens?

2. Would the plants be bought from a specific grower so that we know that there are no variants in the control for this experiment? We know the plants are coming from the same place so that all plants are pretty much equal.

3. What is the final achievement and goal that we are trying to accomplish? Will all results be posted so that others may see and learn?

4. Starting out seedlings or NBS?

Okay I think I've gone beyond now. I'm game. It's a new orchid to baby for me. I just need details.

[Vivienne]

Count me in! Sounds like lots of fun and learning once we get all the details worked out. Perhaps - since high light plants would be a struggle - we could have 2-3 different groups

[exasperatus2002]

That sounds interesting. I'd be interested in participating. I'd like to suggest nbs plants since, waiting for a seedling will take several years to bloom. Or, if any of us have had something just out of flask (or we all chip in for a flask then have someone divide it), we can divide it up and see what difference we all make in its maturation.

[Vivienne]

I'd vote for the NBS plants. Perhaps we can locate a grower who would like to help us out by selecting plants that are similar in status?? Oak Hill comes to mind as do several others.

Now if we can pull this off so that our fellow Geeks around the world can participate as well - that would be very interesting!

[Hummer344]

Count me in. I vote for the NBS.

[sandra]

Great!

Nothing is set in stone as far as rules, Jenny.

Response to your
1: I think concentrating on one particular orchid at a time would be the way, what do you think? Hybrid or species, doesn't matter. I was thinking along the lines of doing a preliminary list that would be compiled by everyone here on what they'd like to grow, do a vote/poll.

2: An orchid, easily found here in the U.S. and internationally. This would be in the list of consideration when final votes are cast. Full disclosure on where it's purchased, etc. A pic of the plant upon arrival, what it's potted in, where we're placing it, etc.

3: There's really no final achievement. The objective could be in which member can get it to flower first, perhaps? But I think it's a case of "it's not in the destination but in the journey" attitude.

4: Whooops, don't know what NBS stands for but if you mean a flowering sized plant, Yup!

Vivienne, I agree about high light plants, after my struggles with my catts.

Sorry these comments aren't indexed in any order at the moment. We can all get more defining by further and future input to get this off the ground!!!

[mayres]

Many of us read with interest about the large plant that was divided and sent out to a number of members around the first of the year - and the interest of all the recipients in comparing notes as their section grows (or doesn't) compared to other recipients.
How about a similar (yet different) challenge where members (that are so inclined to participate) all purchase the same plant (or even 2-3 if desired) and all grow in their area and then periodically we compare notes and pics and see what conditions, environment and culture has the most success? If we could figure out the logistics I would be willing to secure plants (or anyone else could too for that matter if they were so inclined).
If so, what kind of plants would you all be inclined to try this on? My preference would be phals, paphs, or catts.
Our local orchid society does this periodically - we all start with the same plant - and then a year later we all bring them in and compare. It is amazing to see the difference.
What do you all think??????

[kellyincville]

I think that's a great idea! My plants are growing and many are blooming regularly but are they doing as well as they could?

A Paph. or a Phal. would be great with me. Many of the BS paphs can be quite pricey (but if that's what everyone wants I'm fine with it). Could we do a fun phal? Maybe a species? I've never been a fan of catts.

[brookn]

I'm in, but nothing too high light or too large please. I think it is a great idea. Could we be a little budget conscious on it as well? I think Oak Hill is a great place to look. A new plant, what could be wrong with that?

[kellyincville]

Looks like great minds think alike! I just replied to the thread that mayres posted with the same idea!

I would love to participate. I think I would learn a lot. Oak Hill jumped to my mind as well. I also agree with Brook's comments concerning light and size.

[brookn]

I've never grown a Paph. but I replied to Sandra's post about this as well. I am totally in. There are some nice Paphs at Oak Hill for pretty decent prices also. Of course, I prefer Phals, but I am totally game. I agree with Kelly (we seem to keep crossing over each other hee hee) I like species as well. There is a couple of new species Phals offered at Oak Hill I saw the other day.

[Vivienne]

How about something different - not Phal or Paph? Something out there can probably be grown in high light and medium light. Aerides, Aerangis.

Just my feebly sick brain thinking out loud.

[Vivienne]

Small world. Sandra just started the same topic earlier today. I'm still in!

[kellyincville]

If we all agree on Oak Hill can everyone go look at their website and bring back a suggestion or two of something that caught their eye? Then have a poll?

[mayres]

Good for Sandra - I actually had been thinking of something on this vein earlier and was also to some degree reacting to information from Sandra - not knowing that she had started a like thread - doesn't matter to me who takes the ball and rolls with it - but once we find out who the players are maybe we can get something going. Super - glad there is interest. Maybe one of the moderators can combine these two threads if they are on the same topic?

[Sharyn]

Count me in! Since I have so many phals., I'd like to try another Paph. Still on a learning-curve with the catts, but I'm game to whatever you guys would like to try.

I think the "key" will be selecting an orchid, not too difficult to grow under many different conditions and geographical locations. Once we decide on an orchid, perhaps we can find vendors willing to supply all of us with our "experiment" orchid so we're all growing the exact same specimen.

I think this would be a fun project.

Sandra: Maybe Fred will combine your thread with Mike's so we're all on the same page with an orchid project.

[articuno75]

Count me in too.

[articuno75]

How about an Oncidium? They practically grow every where.

[Vivienne]

How about Encyclia cochleata