Your Orchid phases...

[Optimist]

My first phase, long ago, was buying a few orchids, killing them within a few months and then giving up.

My second phase was rescue phals, then cattleyas. I still have a few left. I have all the rescue catts left, making me understand I was better with catts than with the phals, even though I can now get phals to grow and bloom without dying.

With the orchids came thoughts of terrariums, and aquariums. I started a few aquariums, thinking they would add some humidity to the orchid area. I also rescued 2 dogs and 1 kitten in that time.

I've put collecting to the side for a time, limiting myself to an occasional purchase of an unusual looking, or sounding orchid because I am in grad school, and plan on moving cross country in a year or two. I guess with the fish and the orchids in a youhaul, I get a bit worried.

I think my 3rd phase, is in understanding that I can "like" orchids without being obsessed.

I certainly have a wish list, but I want to also get a decent living space before expanding my collection much.

And since I am moving to an area where deer and bunnies eat your gardens, I need to wait until I have some good fencing!

[NYCorchidman]

Well, I don't really have phases. Ok, I have buying phase and not buying phase. lol

I buy whatever I find good as long as space allows.

With that said, I got rid of most of my large phals for the fact that they are highly replaceable and take up too much space.

I got rid of almost all the oncidiums and related hybrids because their leaves get "dirty" so easily and that just freaks me out and takes the fun out of the hobby. lol
These are also highly replaceable.

I am also in the process of getting rid of tall dendrobiums, keeping only shorter ones.

My paphs, well most of them, continue to stay with me, and I will be getting more and more babies and flasks instead of spending money on mature plants whose flower most of the time come out not up to my liking. So I'm going to grow my own crops.

I love to see them grow and the excitement of seeing them flower and seeing the variations among the plants are fascinating!!!

I have a bunch of some other orhcids as well, both speices and hybrids, although I'm more of a hybrid person.
Again, I buy whatever I find good.

I really need a large growing area. Sigh~

[va.orchids]

Started out with phals that I bought on sale in the grocery store. Killed several of those. Still have mostly phals, 3 oncidiums, 1 cattleya, 1 cymbidium and 1 jewel orchid. 20 in all. Mostly noids.

[ddivey36]

Well, I don't really have phases. Ok, I have buying phase and not buying phase. lol

Well Said NYCorchidman!!!!

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by va.orchids

Started out with phals that I bought on sale in the grocery store. Killed several of those. Still have mostly phals, 3 oncidiums, 1 cattleya, 1 cymbidium and 1 jewel orchid. 20 in all. Mostly noids.

Welcome to OrchidBoard va.orchids!

[va.orchids]

Thanks.

[lotis146]

A buying and not-buying phase! Very good, this has happened to me but then I always seem to have an exception to the not-buying phase.

Ramonypony, btw if you're looking for some other Zygos check out Sunset Valley Orchids.

NYC I can understand your love for watching them bloom out and witnessing all the variation. I've got some crosses in the mix already, I'm so excited I'm not sure how to deal with the patience I need to have for this to happen! YEARS! That's the fact that almost kept me from breeding in the first place but I'm such a NERD I couldn't help myself.

Really love hearing about everyone's "phases", thanks for sharing everybody. It's interesting to know what draws people in and then sometimes what kicks them out. I found I sort of quickly lost interest in Phals when it seemed like there were so many of the same out there. But then you get to looking around on the internet and discover their magnificence all over again. Plus I just love that they don't grow into humongous plants (though I do love the idea of this in others) but if you're good they can have impressive displays of flowers. I'd like to improve on my growing to make this happen.

I too Optimist wouldn't mind being able to "like" Orchids and not feel the urge to buy one every time I see them. I was proud after my first show so far this year because I practiced buying restraint. Now hopefully the next show will be just as easy even if they have more plants that I like. *biting my nails!*