Orchid Weirdos Unite!

[JonnyBravo]

Hooray! My Prosthechea cochleata, which I've raised from an established seedling, just cracked open her first bloom! It's still not fully open, but it looks reeeeally dark in there- almost black on the lip!

When I saw it I found myself wanting to dance, and then singing to her-- "You make me feel like dancing, wanna dance the night away!" And then I found myself doing my happy orchid jig right there in the shade hut. It's improvised, nothing choreographed, but it is definitely a happy orchid jig (and coincidentally looks a LOT like the dancing banana below).

Which made me wonder- what other weirdness do my fellow orchid fanciers get up to? Do you sing to your plants? Talk to them, tell them stories, dance for them? Pray for them? Pray TO them? Take them for walks?

Come on folks, I laid it out on the line and told you my embarassing activities, and I'd love to hear what zany things you guys do because of the obsession we share for our photosynthetic friends. Let 'er rip!

[RosieC]

I've recently caught myself talking to them. I know, I know, lots of people talk to plants, but I never have until just recently and it's definately only the orchids which get talked to.

[Angurek]

I don't sing to my orchids, but I do name them depending on the way they behave or the way they look. Ninja to Blackbeard and everything in between. I won't go into detail as to which is which, but...

[camille1585]

I'm also guilty of talking to my orchids, ususally when I'm watering them. The worst is when I get up in the morning and pull back he curtain, I actually ask them if they had a nice night, and if the mounted ones would like some water! I was away yesterday and today, and when I got back this evening I found myself saying sorry to the mounted ones for letting them go thirsty. This is real bad...

[nenella]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I'm also guilty of talking to my orchids, ususally when I'm watering them. The worst is when I get up in the morning and pull back he curtain, I actually ask them if they had a nice night, and if the mounted ones would like some water! I was away yesterday and today, and when I got back this evening I found myself saying sorry to the mounted ones for letting them go thirsty. This is real bad...

Yes, I can relate to that.. I even find myself 'blowing' on them!!! After all that's where 'talking' to plants comes from?
they 'grow' better!

[Blueszz]

Oh my, I talk to them too! Telling them not to worry and that I will take good care of them when they are new purchases and for instance today I had to cut 2 spikes from a Phal that I got as a gift... I said sorry to the plant and did it quickly... as I wanted to avoid pain. In fact it was incredibly hard to do for myself - and I explained the plant it better could use it's energy for growing better roots and maybe a leaf or two this season. Sigh.

Or like I told another Phal today: "I'll make some extra holes in your pot, it's better for your roots".

When I take care of the orchids outdoors, I'm silent, very silent... if only the neighbors would hear me talking to them... them witnessing "sniffing" (feel with my upper lip) skewers is bad enough

Besides, some plants seem to be a "he" and others are a "she" LOL

Nicole

[kiki-do]

Well, each morning when I go out into the sunroom, I always say, "Good Morning Ladies!" (I swear they perk up and look gorgeous when I do that).
Hmmm, embarrassing moments.... I was at a gathering recently when someone asked me how I was coming with my orchids. I answered good. Someone else asked how many I have, and I answered them. Then I heard someone else saying something about blooms and fertilizing, so excitedly I began to tell her how I get my orchids to bloom and my fertilizing routine.....then she looked at me all weird and all went quiet, and then she said, "I'm talking about my perennial garden blooms!"
I keep forgetting there are other plants in the world.

[WhiteRabbit]

Yes I talk to mine as well

I praise them and thank them for new growth and spikes

they get a 'woo hoo you go!' when I first see spikes or when a failing plant gets new growth

Now! we need someone to do an experiment - to determine if talking to them nicely and encouragingly has any positive effect!

[Matt]

Maybe I have you all beat on weirdness, but it wouldnt surprise any of my friends.... Yea I talk to them... cuss at them for dropping leaves and roots, give a lil praise when they grow and bloom..Never have danced, but have brought vandas in the bathroom when I shower (Michigan winters are dry) and I leave music on for them when I leave for work. (Mythbusters recommends metal music, which is a plus because that mostly what I listen to anyway) Thats not really too weird, right???? HAHA

[dgenovese1]

Ummm...what weirdnesses come out of me with regards to my orchid obsession...er, passion...no, no, no, say it like it is, OBSESSION!!!!

Each day, after I water them, I sit with them and do some meditation to start my day in the right mood.

Also, like many other folks, I talk to mine too...sometimes I play rock and roll to them and sing along, especially if I'm spending time at the potting bench or re-arranging benches. I think they like The Who, Pink Floyd and Led Zepplin most!

I've been involved in lengthy conversations with some, especially if I'm grooming them for a show or just to display around the patio.

Usually when I'm fertilizing them...actually when I'm getting ready to fertilize them, I ask them if they are hungry...and after I soak them with the enriched water, I say.."Eat up everyone...grow strong roots and beautiful blooms!" I've even been nknown to threaten one every now and again, especially if it hasn't bloomed for a year or two.

Sometimes I just sit in the shade house and soak it all in, at all times of day and night...have you ever sat amongst your plants at 2 am under a full moon! It is intoxicating!!!

That's about it....or is it?