Getting organised as a beginner

[Moody2]

I don’t think anyone has mentioned the Orchid Album app. It’s portable ( both iOS and Android) and allows you to easily photo document your notes, and offers a fair amount of flexibility in what you choose to keep track of.

[Roberta]

Can you sort and search the data? I'd consider that more important than the photos from the point of view of keeping track of one's collection. The "gotcha" is that (at least we hope) the plant will bloom multiple times (and one might want to note when that happened, since it varies somewhat from year to year, sometimes happens more than once a year), it gets repotted every few years (and one needs to be able to at least note that last time that happened even if all the pottings aren't tracked.

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by Roberta

The early stages of an orchid collection (relatively few plants) give an opportunity to add another bit of information - Assign each plant a unique number that you write on the tag along with the name, and put that number in your spreadsheet/database/document.

Roberta's advice is right on. I use a photo of the plant in my document rather than a number, but the principle is exactly the same.

If you don't keep a log book or something detailing where the plant came from, what it looked like, what the seller said, when you divided it, and what you learned from successes and mistakes, you won't remember it a few years from now. If you lose a tag, you should have records that you can use to identify the plant.

-Keith

---------- Post added at 11:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:14 PM ----------

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Originally Posted by Shadeflower

Hey Helen, some good questions there. You just have to see what works for others. In the UK without a greenhouse or additional lighting I find it is quite challenging to grow some orchids.
The ones that do well in the uk are odontoglossums, phalaenopsis, paphiodeliums and cymbidiums. Those will do best for you long term in the conditions we have.

You've pointed out the importance of considering local conditions before making the purchase. I have trouble giving many of my orchids enough light during mid--summer in Mississippi. Daytime temperatures approaching 100F can easily result in burned leaves if an optimal amount of sunlight it given. I also can't grow cool growing orchids in the genera Shadeflower mentioned.

-Keith

[Liodoro]

Oh, dear, I've lost the answer that I had started to write. There seem to be all sorts of messages popping up. It is very interesting and helpful.

As to not forgetting to water my plants!!!

You should see me. I am running around stroking, staring, misting, hoping and generally obsessing about my babies.

I'll take a look at the app and try refining my input. Actually, I'm of the paper and fountain pen generation. That might be the best way forward! I doubt I'll have too many more than the 30 odd for a few years, anyway.

Thanks for all the advice. It's great fun on this board and very helpful. x

Helen

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[Shadeflower]

I'm still in the pest fighting mode unfortunately.

It will be a 2 year battle I think. Doing my best but I definetely bought too much at once and the pests were left to spread too much.

All new plants should be placed in quarantine for one month. I bought too many at once and thought I could get away with it which has left me in this mess.

Lesson learnt? Not really lol.

If there was a special offer I'd do it all again but I'd be more prepared to quarantine new arrivals more.

To top it off I dropped my spray bottle and snapped off the handle, I can't find my repotting tweezers so have had to order new ones and my repotting torch has gone missing too.

[Moody2]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Can you sort and search the data? I'd consider that more important than the photos from the point of view of keeping track of one's collection. The "gotcha" is that (at least we hope) the plant will bloom multiple times (and one might want to note when that happened, since it varies somewhat from year to year, sometimes happens more than once a year), it gets repotted every few years (and one needs to be able to at least note that last time that happened even if all the pottings aren't tracked.

You can search or browse plant names, which will bring up the plant and all related notes and info, but notes on flowering, repotting, dividing etc are chronological and not searchable.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Liodoro

I doubt I'll have too many more than the 30 odd for a few years, anyway.

Famous last words... Don't count on THAT!

[Liodoro]

Ha, ha! I am under the crazy illusion that if I write it, it just might be true! In fact I can't pass any supermarkets without checking for reduced Phals! 😊

[Diane56Victor]

Originally Posted by Moody2

I don’t think anyone has mentioned the Orchid Album app. It’s portable ( both iOS and Android) and allows you to easily photo document your notes, and offers a fair amount of flexibility in what you choose to keep track of.

Do you have a link for the Android version?

I did look at this a few years ago after I came across an Android download.
After several tries to get it to open I reached out the creator Andrew Nicolle. After a few emails back and forth it turns out that there wasn't an Android version. It seems that someone was copying his download link and directing traffic somewhere else.
Andrew went on to explain that with so many different versions of Android he wouldn't be releasing one unless he won the lottery!
He said creating and upgrading the Apple version takes all his time and he would be lucky to see any profit from it for many years as it is a niche product.

I have thought of getting an old iphone and installing the program, just not sure about updates on an older phone.

[Moody2]

Originally Posted by Diane56Victor

Do you have a link for the Android version?

I did look at this a few years ago after I came across an Android download.
After several tries to get it to open I reached out the creator Andrew Nicolle. After a few emails back and forth it turns out that there wasn't an Android version. It seems that someone was copying his download link and directing traffic somewhere else.
Andrew went on to explain that with so many different versions of Android he wouldn't be releasing one unless he won the lottery!
He said creating and upgrading the Apple version takes all his time and he would be lucky to see any profit from it for many years as it is a niche product.

I have thought of getting an old iphone and installing the program, just not sure about updates on an older phone.

Sorry, my mistake. I went back and checked the link for the Android version and you are right, it was not supported by the developer.