I might be catching the orchid bug...

[Inara]

So it's been a couple months since I posted (I tend to lurk when first joining a message board) but I wanted to thank you all for the advice you gave me then (when my first two orchids arrived and had bud blast). Couple months after the blast and I got...



Yesterday, my sweetheart sent me another phal (though he meant to send a dendrobium... florist screwed it up)


So now my collection... (so far)... latest addition in the middle


That window faces east and I rarely pull up the blinds... even though my apartment has experienced some very strange temperatures over the past month (from hot and stuffy to very chilly... Wisconsin seasons are ridiculous and the apartment radiators have taken some getting used to).. the phals still thrived... hopefully the new addition will do as well.

I water them once a week with some orchid food mixed into the water (read the directions and diluted it for weekly fertilization instead of monthy which I might forget)

So... where do I go next?

And dang... I can't believe the cost of these orchids from the florist... $80 for one plant including the pot... wouldn't my sweetie be better off ordering from an orchid supplier? Any suggestions?

[MARIAOB]

Inara,

Those prices are way too much for those orchids.
I got my two below from WalMart @ $13.00 each and Home Depot sells the ones you have @ $ 25.00 each
I work there and I'm thinking of getting some for my Mom on Mothers Day.

Beautiful orchids though.
Enjoy.

[Inara]

Yeah that's what I thought! Home Depot sells them for like $16 last I remember.

Thuy is in California though (I'm in Wisconsin)... he wanted flowers delivered to me... so he went with a florist. The upside is that at least I'm getting some life out of them... instead of cut flowers which die within a week but still cost nearly as much.

Mmmm ... he really likes picking them out and sending them... maybe an online wholesaler is the way to go?

[MARIAOB]

There are lots and lots of online wholesalers and retailers.
A great site i found was THE ORCHID MALL that lists all available vendors on the net.
Give it a try.
The Orchid Mall - Everything in Orchids

[cb977]

Hi Inara,
Your phals are looking lovely

The florist is definitely not the way to go when building an orchid collection. For a one-time special gift, sure...but you have many other choices to feed your new addiction

As Maria said, Orchidmall is a start. You should also check out our sponsors here on OB, we've got some great folks growing wonderful 'chids

Off the top of my head...Andy's, Oak Hill & Parkside are first class

[Inara]

Thanks so much for the suggestions!

Hey.. do you think I need to repot these?

Was thinking about getting a humidity tray and leaving the ones on the sides just in their clear plastic container... but the one in the center is elevated in that huge ceramic pot so I'm not sure what to do with it.

Yeah... I'm convincing him now to not order any more from this florist... the florist even had the nerve to say "she got dendrobiums"...

[quiltergal]

Inara, they look very happy. Unless the medium is breaking down I'd leave them alone. Whatever you're doing keep doing it. They like you!

[justatypn]

You've done well..they look very happy. I would go to the HD and get a bag of pea pebbles and place them in the bottom of the clear plastic pots for water run-off as well as keeping this reservoir just at pebble level will help with the humidity, not a whole heck of a lot but enough to show your love

The phal (dendrobium center pot) is this a stand alone in the pot or is there a plastic pot inserted inside. If there is a plastic pot, thats a good thing so water can flow out freely, if the pot does not have a plastic container holding the medium than does the ceramic pot have a hole in the bottom for free-flowing water. You do not want them to sit in water. These type of containers like to hold moisture and slow drying so remember when watering if your not sure if it needs water wait a day.

For a variety of orchids our sponsors here on the OB as well as the ones Sue named above...you are limited when purchased from the HD and other local nurseries/boxstores.

[Dorothy]

UH OH!
The Orchid Bug !
Join the family !!!

You Have Been Infected!

[Ross]

Well, this is girly talk to be sure I think that you are worth every penny your honey is willing to spend on you. He's got the right idea just not the right source. For $80 you could get 4 really nice Dendrobiums (oops cancel that, they'd just die anyway) rather 4 really nice Phals at Home Depot.

Seriously, at some point you need to do as others suggest and set up an area just for your 'chids and decide how many and what kind you are able to keep. My climate is just like yours only next day. I grow mostly in south window and Phals are part of the family. There are lots you can grow, if you choose to. Welcome aboard and welcome to the dark side