What got you hooked growing orchids?

[kiki-do]

Junebug, I send you hugs and caring thoughts. I'm so glad that you are finding joy in nature and are healing. I believe with all my heart that our loved ones do not truly leave us. We have our memories to keep them forever in our hearts.

[Royal]

The Challenge. To me, all gardening is delayed gratification. When some of the slowest growing plants in my garden bloom or form massive clumps or specimens, it is so rewarding. Trees are the same way for me. The beauty of a mature old oak is a sight to behold. But it didn't happen overnight. A mature old oak that YOU planted when it was a baby is even more special!
Steady plotting is rewarded for those with patience. Only the most patient (or very rich) are able to experience the joy of a giant orchid specimens blooming in full glory. I'm not rich, so I'm investing my time and energy knowing that I shall reap great rewards (one day). He who plants a garden, believes in the future.


Also, if I didn't grow and bloom these awesome plants, the chances of me ever seeing one in person is very slim. Life is short - too short to not fully appreciate every single thing on earth as possible! If I didn't grow orchids, I would never be able to see a Stanhopea or Bulbophyllum in person. Ever seen an Amorphophallus titanum bloom in real life? Put that on your list, life is too short!

[DGabriel10]

I walked by many orchids at local stores and marveled at their beauty but thought they were "difficult". I finally purchased a few, and being uneducated, let them prove my thinking right. Yet a few survived... even bloomed again. Then my daughter picked up the orchid habit. Through research and education she started having success with orchids. Her new success rubbed off on me and I purchased a few more orchids and the rest is history.

[Nita M]

Originally Posted by Ray

* I now know, from orchid growing, that I'm actually really good at killing plants, but that's OK, as you're not an orchid growing "expert" until you've killed your weight in them!

Ohhhh, thank you, thank you for that wonderful insight!! I haven't done that yet, but then I only own 15 orchids. I managed to kill all the ones I had years ago, so am well on my way.

Nita

[kiki-do]

Someone once said to me, "I've never killed an orchid. Many have died along the way, but I didn't kill them."
I prefer to look at it this way. You?

[Nita M]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Someone once said to me, "I've never killed an orchid. Many have died along the way, but I didn't kill them."
I prefer to look at it this way. You?

Ohhhhhh, Kiki, I like your philosophy too. I'll have to try to remember that.

Nita

[LocktownDog]

As a fan of vintage culture and entertainment, I kinda fell into the whole orchid thing during a short obsession with Nero Wolfe novels.

Richard

[katierkincaid]

Everyone in my family loves plants, mostly outdoors. I am the first to buy orchids though. I got into orchids because no one else I knew was into it, maybe a trend setter? I also was attracted to how there was so many of them and diffrent colors and what not. Its rewarding to see them bloom and taking care of them is actually kinda fun

[sucuz]

Shortly after our local botanical gardens opened in 1995, I began volunteering in the horticulture area. One day my assignment was to work on the 'Orchid Wall' display. I removed plants that were past peak, spruced up the area, brought out display ready orchids, and arranged the display. The man in charge of the orchid collection liked the way the display looked, so that became my regular Saturday job.
Discovered that when I was out messing around with the orchids, people assumed that I knew something about them. Bombarded with questions, I would run back to the orchid greenhouse, find the 'Orchid Man', relay the questions to him, then bring the answers back to the guest. Had the crash course in Orchid 101.
The 'Orchid Man" gave me my first oncinium noid and I was hooked. Collection now is 30-something and is expected to remain on the small side as they are kept on window sills which they must share with 2 cats. By the way, oncinium leaves do not seem to be toxic to cats. One cat keeps my mini-oncinium leaves somewhat raggedly trimmed. Cat is fine. Orchid is fine. So it goes.

[quiltingwacko]

You might try getting the cat some wheat grass, available in produce depts usually. If I don't have some here, our cat eats the plants around the house too. He is a house cat. If there is wheat grass for him to eat, he leaves all the other plants alone.