Beginner, phase 2: happy and sad

[Val]

Well, today my 6 months experience with orchids expanded dramatically, and now includes both extremes.

The good news is that the first Phalaenopsis flower 100% home-grown (on a new spike) opened today. I already had reblooms on old spikes and reblooms on new side-spikes, but for this one I can take all the credit, especially considering that all the new spike - buds - flowers process took place during winter months, on a Northern exposure windowsill. The flower is nothing out of the ordinary (solid white petals and sepals with a solid pink lip), but it's a first for me and I'm happy. (Remember YOUR first 100% home-grown bloom? ).

Also on the good side (hopefully): during the last three weeks I gathered all my confidence and bought two species: Phal. cornu-cervi and bellina. Let's see if I can take them to blooming.

On the sad side: today it became obvious that my first (and probably last) Miltoniopsis died on me. It all started when I went on vacation in October, and it was accidentally left with it's feet wet for two weeks. Repotted it, but too late. You win some, you loose some. On my way to becoming an expert, I gained my first 50 grams or so of killed orchids.

Between the new flower and the lost orchid, it's barely worth mentioning my first encounter of the 3rd degree with a mealy bug, yesterday. But I'm prepared

Who said winter is boring??

[WhiteRabbit]

Congrats on the rebloom! Yes, the first rebloom is awesome, and I'm always excited by my first rebloom of any plant.

Sorry bout your Milt ... it happens, even when you have more experience, there are still losses.

Mealy bugs! yikes! hope there weren't many, and you got rid of them!

[Zoi2]

Congrats on your reblooms
Joann

[RosieC]

Congtats on the re-bloom

Don't give up on miltoniopsis, but I would advise if you get another to repot straight away. They seem to be sold in Europe with horrid moss core inside the bark. I killed my first by not repotting it straight away, my second has re-bloomed this year for me though

[CTB]

Sounds like you have leaned a lot in 6 months. Congrats!!!!!!!!!

[Phal_NooB]

Congratz with the bloom, I hope in the next couple of months I also will get a flower on my own

[tucker85]

Congratulations on the re-bloom. I disagree with you that there's nothing special about a white phal.. I think a classic white phalaenopsis is one of the most beautiful orchids around. Also as far as the orchid you lost. I was talking with a commercial grower with a PHD in horticulture and 30 years of experience who was complaining that he's killing too many orchids lately. I think I'll choose to focus on the successes. Good luck.

[Val]

@ WhiteRabbit: Thanks!
There was just one mealy bug - big, round and fluffy, as if it was their Godfather Got rid of it on the spot, but there couldn't be only one. I've isolated the plant, and it's now under constant supervision.

@ Joann: Thanks!

@ Rosie: Thanks!

Originally Posted by RosieC

... They seem to be sold in Europe with horrid moss core inside the bark...

Thats' exactly what hapened with one Phal. But I bought it right after I started keeping track of waterings, and I noticed that it stayed wet for a suspiciously long time. I repotted it, and now it's in IC.

@Carol: Yes, I've learned a lot. But one needs both knowledge and experience, and the later usually takes a lot of time and mistakes. Fortunately for me, I benefitted from the huge collective experience of the OrchidBoard community. THANKS everybody

@Phal_NooB: Fingers crossed for your first rebloom!
If any problem or question, search the OB forum and don't hesitate to ask! I did - and it payed off. Great community!

@tucker85: Thanks!
A white Phalaenopsis was my first love in the orchid world
I will focus on the successes, that's for sure. Growing orchids is all about enjoying outmost beauty and being positive. And I believe that admitting one's failures (and learning from them) is bound to increase the success rate.