How healthy is my Phalaenopsis?

[Ordphien]

That bright pink lip! Gorgeous!

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[PaxTea]

Sorry to bump this back up to the top, but I'm excited! I got my purple phal over a month ago, and I thought it was done blooming. Everything was open except for the last bud, which I assumed was never going to open.

It's opening!!!

I saw it tonight, and my first thought was that it was a wilting bloom. I said "aww, oh no," and walked over to the plant. I was sure that this was the beginning of the blooms dropping, so when I realize that the bud was actually opening for me, it was a huge excitement!

It's not the best quality picture, but you can see that the bud is opening!

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by PaxTea

Oh dear, it hasn't even been two weeks, has it? WELL I got a third orchid today, and she's a beauty!

This Orchid is a NoID Phal from Home Depot. Some of the plants there were in a sorry state, but this one looked okay, and I fell in love with the blooms.

I think she's got some Fuller's Sunset in her, but the blooms are more pastel and have a hint of green. I just *love* the fuschia on the ends of her lips.

You are DEFINITELY hooked. I started with 2 plants 4 years ago and have about 80- not counting the ones I killed or gave away.

[PaxTea]

It might be too early to say. I tend to get *really* into things and then drop them. Some things cycle back into my life on a regular basis, and other things only pass through one time.

This time last year I was *obsessed* with birdwatching, but I haven't done much of that since late October...

If they survive the spring and summer (birds) and November (national novel writing month) and catch my full attention again next winter... then it will be safe to say I'm hooked.

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by PaxTea

It might be too early to say. I tend to get *really* into things and then drop them. Some things cycle back into my life on a regular basis, and other things only pass through one time.

This time last year I was *obsessed* with birdwatching, but I haven't done much of that since late October...

If they survive the spring and summer (birds) and November (national novel writing month) and catch my full attention again next winter... then it will be safe to say I'm hooked.

Don't give up the birding! I am heavily into both. There is both an orchid society and a bird club in my town and it's amazing how many people belong to both. I think when you like living things and science in general you are interested in all of the natural world. I'm still planning to learn more about astronomy.
I'm also into photography which goes very nicely with both orchids and birding.
However I haven't figured out a way to include another hobby, knitting. Orchid cozies, anyone?

---------- Post added at 10:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:11 AM ----------

PS- I think I'm probably older than you are (63) and I've had a long time to accumulate hobbies. I'm planning to retire soon and then I will have time for them.

[PaxTea]

Or bird cozies: A good yarn: Knitters make sweaters for penguins after oil spill - TODAY.com

I'm 26, and a "young" 26. I could be married with a house and kids, but I'm not quite there yet.

I think you're right about an interest in science and nature bringing people towards both hobbies. I had noticed that both FirstRays and Repotme sell bird feeders. I think that part of my interest in both is that I'm feeling intellectually bored now that I'm not in school, and I need something to study.

If you have a smartphone, you should check out the free app "Google Sky Map." Once you calibrate it, you can point your phone in any direction and it will tell you which stars you're looking at. It's fun to use in bed at night, because it sort of gives you a window up through the ceiling, and you can know which constellations are overhead.

Another good app is iBird Pro, which has a database of bird calls, with a selection of different sounds for each bird.