If I knew then what I know now...

[Amanda L]

What a great thread topic!!

If I knew then what I know now...I would have kept the water out of the crown of my phal, instead of thinking that is a good place for it to go. I mean they get water in there in nature! NOT!

I would have gotten bigger tables with more lamps!!
I would have kept with it when I killed the first 4 orchids I had several years ago!

I'm still learning so this will be on going for me! It's a fun, addictive, wonderful hobby to have and I'm glad I found the Orchid Board! I love the people here and they have helped me grow by leaps and bounds! Not to mention I have met some good friends along the way!

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by quietmorning

**just learned something new... again!!** Rosie, what kind of bark do you use, if you don't mind my asking. . .and what is the difference between the 'good stuff' and the stuff. . . my phal is currently living in purchased from my local garden center?

The stuff from my local garden center was a premixed bark, with varying sizes in the bark, some stones, and some really broken down stuff that was probably once bark.

I soaked it and just used the lumps and left behind the really broken down stuff.

It nearly killed two of my Phals. The two whose roots ever touched it are still strugling and one is still loosing roots a month or so later. It's growing new ones luckily but it seems that the roots which ever touched that bark are still deteriorating even though it's now in the new stuff.

All the (6) orchids I potted staight in the new stuff have never missed a beat after repoting. I use a combination of Large Grade Bark, Small Grade Bark, Medium Grade CHC and perlite from the website below and mix it my self with proportions varying depeding on the orchid.

Orchid Accessories - www.orchidaccessories.co.uk

I'm afraid he's UK based though and I don't think he ships to the states. I've spoken to him on the phone a few times and he knows a lot about the right things to use so I like buying from him.

[quietmorning]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Orchid Accessories - www.orchidaccessories.co.uk

I'm afraid he's UK based though and I don't think he ships to the states. I've spoken to him on the phone a few times and he knows a lot about the right things to use so I like buying from him.

Rosie, I just signed into the site, they do take orders from and ship the the US. **happy dances** I was looking around. . .wow. . .lots of stuff I haven't been able to find over here! Thanks!!

[Royal]

Beth, check out rePotme Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Fertilizer They have a huge variety.

[quietmorning]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

Beth, check out rePotme Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Fertilizer They have a huge variety.

WOW!! You aren't kidding!!! Yay!! Thank you very very much!!

[BikerDoc5968]

Well, I'm back from the GH and after watering, and spraying with RD-20 Physan), I realized some of the important things I now know... most of which is because of all of you on this Board!!!!! As many have talked about the basics of watering, light, air circulation, dry crowns on phals, watch water on new paph spikes, keep flowers dry or deal with the black mold spots, repot, repot, repot! There are so many things we all know now that we didn't when we began.... I guess, if we knew then what we know now, we'd all have to get larger growing areas now!

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by quietmorning

Rosie, I just signed into the site, they do take orders from and ship the the US. **happy dances** I was looking around. . .wow. . .lots of stuff I haven't been able to find over here! Thanks!!

That's great news. I've been pleased with all my purchases from this site, and after speaking to him on the phone I've felt confident in his knowledge.

He also sells Orchids under a different name, but there is no website for that and I havn't tried them.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

Beth, check out rePotme Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Fertilizer They have a huge variety.

Wow, that does look a good site. Better for shipping costs for you guys as well.

[Ranchnanny]

Learning by trail and error can get so expensive so I would read everything I could about orchids THEN start my collection.

Sheridan

[SheilaJ]

I would have started growing in sphag and clear pots a lot sooner. I would have fertilized more regularly. I would have joined my local orchid society sooner.