Amateur mistakes--got one to share?

[kindrag23]

Mine has been over/under watering causing near or absolute death. Oh and Frying my leaves in the sun on accident due to sun direction change. Whoops...

[My Green Pets]

Originally Posted by billc

I think the biggest mistake most of us make whether new to orchids or experienced is changing our culture practices too often and/or too radically.

Testify!

[nenella]

[QUOTE=silken;624781]Overwatering. For me that was my biggest newbie problem and I lost a good number of orchids because of it. Something looked limp or wrinkled, so I would hover over it and water and fuss. When really it was the roots were in trouble because I was already watering too much! I have learned that they are better off being a bit too dry than the risk of too wet. Of course there are a few exceptions to this rule but not many in my growing area.[/QUOTE]

best lesson I ever learned too!

[kindrag23]

O gosh...my gramm wallisii was a goof. I had no idea that they are such huge growing orchids!

[Troythediver]

My first Paph, which was fairly expensive since it was like 15 years ago, came with six fans. Because I was super wise and intent on turning my 50 dollar investment into much more, I split it into six plants and put them each into their own separate pots.

Of course they all promptly died... except the one I gave to a friend as a gift. It was an expensive way to learn about the leading growth habit, the rule of three, and that back growths need extra love.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Probably the biggest mistake I've made was buying orchids that I'm not completely in love with! If you don't love it, you won't water, feed, or care for it as well as something you do love. So make sure you absolutely love it before you buy it! No doubt, the more you love a plant, the better you'll care for it, the better you'll be at watering, and the better it will grow.

[MattWoelfsen]

The biggest lesson I've learned: the more orchids you own the less inclined you are to worry over any specific plant.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Biggest mistake ever- Not adding at least 2 travelling companions for every orchid I order! For an orchid to travel alone, it's basically the worst thing that can happen.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

Biggest mistake ever- Not adding at least 2 travelling companions for every orchid I order! For an orchid to travel alone, it's basically the worst thing that can happen.

Definitely! I made that mistake once, and the plant arrived so beat up, I thought it was a goner. It was packed well enough. Ever since that experience, I always buy two additional plants--one to drive, one to play with the GPS, and the third to back seat drive, complain, and ask, are we there yet?

[Dendy83]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

The biggest lesson I've learned: the more orchids you own the less inclined you are to worry over any specific plant.

Gaaah I have just figured this out myself. I tend to be a fusser...but it took me over an hour last night to soak all my orchids. I now have 11, which is a lot for a small computer desk, but now I don't fuss over the one or two I used to have.