I have sinned!

[Rosiefuture]

Although I have 'had' orchids for a few years I haven't really 'grown' them. The poor things were left to their own devices and if they lived it was through sheer determination on their part.

I would buy them, stick them outside on a bench and expect the poor things to flower beautifully with no help from me. Some survived.........a lot didn't.

Then I had a major life change........I lost about 90lbs of excess weight...........and I got a new lease on life.

Now I want to 'grow' orchids.........my collection has about doubled in the last 6 months to about 120 plants.

At the moment I am in the process of repotting them into new pots with proper orchid mix. (Don't shout at me) I used ordinary potting compost on them all in my previous existance.

Not only did the old me not take care of them but she also lost most of the labels from their pots. So I how have a lot of noid dendrobiums, cattleya's, (maybe) oncidiums, (maybe) vanda and other orchids that I don't know what they are. I'm hoping that if I manage to get them to forgive me and they flower I can ask for help here to try to identify them.

Marion

[Shadow]

I'm glad to hear that you are going to change your approach to orchid growing. Keep us informed. We will be watching you not to change your approach back.

[justatypn]

Orchids for the most part are very forgiving and some are just bratty and go away. Sounds like you've now been bitten by the orchid bug and we are here to help in any way we can...when they blooms no tag, take a and we will come to the rescue.

First off there is nothing written that you can not only use the medium of choice its merely in how you take it from the point on repotting and helping it on it's way to being I always remember one thing...I hate the dark, I hate to dehydrate and I hate not having nurishment and oh yeah the best of all...talk to them, nothing more boring than a long day without a nice voice telling ya how great you look...

[Lagoon]

I'm thrilled for you Marion, sounds like some new adventures headed your way, It's wonderful!!!
With some orchids no matter what you do with them, some just seem to sorta spit back at you. We all have to learn how to grow these fun and beautiful plants, it's a hobby.

You will come across orchids that will just not do well for you, no matter what. Don't fret - get them out of the way and continue on with all that do well for you.

I grow my paphs in peatmoss and my catts in sphag moss, I've heard from many others that this will be the death to orchids, simply NOT TRUE, they are doing better then ever.

It's all about taking some chances and learning from them - Once you know ..... You know!

Happy Growing

[Ross]

I want to join the bunch here in welcoming you to the board. I can testify that weight loss is a real "gain" health-wise. It can lead to longer life and many fewer health problems. Similarly, when you set your mind to caring for your orchids properly (or as best you can ) you'll realize a new satisfaction. I look forward to seeing pics of your 'chids.

[Tindomul]

Welcome to the Board. SOme orchids do better when ignored. So you just weeded out the weak ones. Hehe, congrats on the weight loss!

[Djarum Black]

Originally Posted by Rosiefuture

Although I have 'had' orchids for a few years I haven't really 'grown' them. The poor things were left to their own devices and if they lived it was through sheer determination on their part.

I would buy them, stick them outside on a bench and expect the poor things to flower beautifully with no help from me. Some survived.........a lot didn't.

Then I had a major life change........I lost about 90lbs of excess weight...........and I got a new lease on life.

Now I want to 'grow' orchids.........my collection has about doubled in the last 6 months to about 120 plants.

At the moment I am in the process of repotting them into new pots with proper orchid mix. (Don't shout at me) I used ordinary potting compost on them all in my previous existance.

Not only did the old me not take care of them but she also lost most of the labels from their pots. So I how have a lot of noid dendrobiums, cattleya's, (maybe) oncidiums, (maybe) vanda and other orchids that I don't know what they are. I'm hoping that if I manage to get them to forgive me and they flower I can ask for help here to try to identify them.

Marion

Awww I don't think that’s sinning. Sounds more like you just crash coursed yourself in the "do's and do nots". At the very least now, you have gotten a whole new amount of information. You know what plants will tolerate limited care and what won't. If nothing else, it has made your personal growing experiences stronger.
I did stuff similar at the beginning. Just threw stuff in pots on my back patio. If they survived winter and summer great if they didn't then..well they didn't.
I still in fact have half those old plants now in my green house. Some have battle scars yes, but they are part of my overall growing "story".
Personally, I think all learning is positive in the end no matter how you get there.

[cb977]

Hi Marion
Congrats on your successes!!!
You should be very proud of what you've accomplished

When your NOIDS start to bloom, you may or may not figure out their names but it won't really matter
Enjoy them for what they will be...beautiful reminders of another successful chapter in your life

[DebsC]

Marion, I am so very proud for you! Your strength of character is to be admired. I have faith in your ability to nurture your orchids, whoever they may be, back to life and health.

I can hardly wait to see pictures of their smiling faces.

Debs

[SARA A]

i hope for the best