If I knew then what I know now...

[PitcherASAMD]

I definitely wished I would have signed up for OB sooner, knew how expensive this hobby was before embarking on it (that said, i still would have joined), to always repot my chids into a clear pot so I can see the roots!

[quietmorning]

If I knew what I knew now, I wouldn't have given my phal and cane orchids to a neighbor when I thought they weren't thriving. They were just wintering.

Pft.

[cb977]

Originally Posted by quietmorning

If I knew what I knew now, I wouldn't have given my phal and cane orchids to a neighbor when I thought they weren't thriving. They were just wintering.

Pft.

[quietmorning]

Originally Posted by cb977

My one consultation is that they are now living in one of the 'posh' mansions down the street. Heh. . .bet they have pretty foofoo collars.

[Judi]

I've learned that there is no such thing as having just one orchid

[Kath]

I definitely agree about knowing about OB before! I'd probably not have lost the last selection that went into the bin thanks to bad growing conditions which caused a mealy bug infestation

Also I wish I'd known more about growing a phal with no roots! That is my biggest distress. It was a phal gigantea, and now that you other orchid growers have told me what I did wrong, I could start again with another one, but I have to save up first.

I have learnt about repotting, but honestly, without OB, I'm definitly lost!

Thanks for your precious help!

[AThoele]

I'm also a newbie and don't know too much yet, but the most important thing I wish I had known was that I need to move plants out of moss immediately. Moss and I just don't mix! If I had known about that, I would not be trying to get my first orchids to grow at least one actual root right now.

Great thread Susanne and beautiful picture! What kind of orchid is that?

[cb977]

Originally Posted by AThoele

I'm also a newbie and don't know too much yet, but the most important thing I wish I had known was that I need to move plants out of moss immediately. Moss and I just don't mix! If I had known about that, I would not be trying to get my first orchids to grow at least one actual root right now.

Great thread Susanne and beautiful picture! What kind of orchid is that?

The picture in this avatar is a closeup of the three spikes on my Rhynchostylis coelestis. I just took some new pictures, I'll post a pic of the plant separately later

Thanks

The answers people are coming up with in this thread are really cool...keep 'em comin folks

[Blueszz]

If I knew then what I know now...

I would have stayed far far away from orchids and OB! (kidding, I'm hooked on OB and don't want to miss you!)

Orchids are very addictive once you are bitten by the orchid bug and you guys make it very difficult not to fall in love with so many species/hybrids. You show me too many beautiful plants!
Very often I see pictures and I start doing research on how to take care for such a species and I'm in danger of buying them! You make that possible because this is a great place to learn and ask!

[Royal]

Here's a big one for me:

...I would not have divided any orchids as early or as often. I've learned that they really do much better as a bigger plant and will reward you with more and better blooms. I'm a propagation junkie so keeping my hands off is an ongoing struggle.