What got you hooked growing orchids?

[Barbara]

I first got 'the bug' when I went to Canada Blooms and beheld the Orchids In Our Tropics' display. I bought my first slipper that day, and it lived for a whole year and a half before I killed it by overwatering it on a cool, damp autumn night. That was around 6 years ago). The things you do when your new. Now we have somewhere around 60 different plants, many of which are slippers who have survived. And we have propagated several and given a few away. Over the past year, we have really gotten more interested, especially now that I have found this board.

We have always been a horticultural family. Our small town property has many gardens packed full of hardwoods and perennials. I would post pictures of them too, if any anyone is interested. Thanks for reading this lengthy story.

[LizT]

My father cross pollinated Azaleas and grew them. I always wanted to be able to grow plants like him. Several years ago I tried my hand at African Violets and found they liked what I was doing and where they were. Somewhere I read if you can grow African Violets than you could grow Orchids. My friend's had a couple of plants for years and I remembered how neat they were with all those roots growing around the pot (the plants never bloomed but boy did the plants grow). So I bought a couple of Den. at the grocery store and proceeded to slowly kill them. While trying to figure out what I was doing wrong I found an orchid nursery close by. They have been a wonderful source of help and support. However they did get me hooked on the Pluer. family, more plants for your space!! I am very sorry to say that I have killed some (more than I care to think admit to), and have had most killed by plagues. However to date (2 years later) I have 96(!! I really got to stop going to the nursery!!) healthy happy plants and 7 plants still deciding if it's worth it to continue to grow after last spring's plague. Well actually my Keferstein has a new growth so I guess it's decided that it wants to live. Addicted nope not me!!!!!!!!!

[Marco]

paphs

[Bolero]

Cymbidiums.

They are widespread and grown better here than just about anywhere else.......well I think so anyway.

[Bolero]

Well I'm not gardner at all and never tried growing plants. Well I married someone from Wisconsin (Sheboygan) and I wanted her to feel welcome in Australia and see what wonderful things we can grow here (she was a gardner). Anyway we went to an orchid show, me thinking that someone from Wisconsin wouldn't have seen orchids before......;-)

Anyway she liked them but was never really interested, I on the other hand got sucked in to it big time. Now I'm growing orchids.........and she has gone back to Wisconsin........lol.

Oh well.

[justatypn]

Bolero...that's your story and your sticking to it

[Dendrohon]

In the summer of 2002, instead of continuing buying beautiful orchids and killing them, my wife and I decided to buy three very neglected and sad looking orchids (with no labels) from 'Home Depot' for experiment. We had no idea what the flowers would look like. We read all we could from the internet and library on orchids. With a lot of luck, the three bloomed the next year. They were phalaenopsis. From then on, we were hooked!

[bodaciousbonsai]

Yeah I know! orchids can be evil little things..they can also be home wreckers..I know two couples that had seperated because of orchids
Clay

[bodaciousbonsai]

Good for you! I personaly will not buy orchids from home depot they are the killers of the innonence plants. they get them in them and just abuse the hell out of them.usually they do not get watered for weeks at a time.
Clayton

[hamizao]

My maternal grandma, aunties and my mum they all had a hand at planting orchids for their homes. I guess the female siblings were indeed very close and they'd share the same interest as far as I can remember - home decor, clothes...you name it ......!

When I got my first home, starting an orchid collection was I guess a natural thing to do. I remember my mum and I going orchid hunting and we would also get similar orchid stands. I learned a number tips from her but due to my busy schedule then, I only had a little time for all the plants I had. Some died due to prolonged neglect. However, many tips were actually learned through trial and error and asking questions whenever I visited nurseries.

When my mum passed on I took over most of her collection, but the choiest ones had gone to my younger bro whose wife also has an interest in orchids. They had made the first selection.....Well I hope they enjoy tending to them!