The Internet is such a wonderful place

[theloyalplum]

Hey guys!

The Internet truly is.

Earlier today, a wonderful box of goodies appeared at my door delivered by the fedex fairy. Inside it was a not-so-little Renanthera that had been on my wishlist for a while. Now, I did not buy it and I did not order it.

It came from Hilo and from a redditor, Yuzu (not actual name or username; this is the internet, you know).

I imagine it is inordinary that someone sends a stranger an expensive plant with no expectation or assurance of anything in return. But, alas, here we are, and this is the internet...

I know this probably isn't the right place for this post, but I just wanted to put it out there that I appreciate you guys, the internet, everything. If it weren't for this forum and every other website out there featuring our little 'chids, I would probably still be here with just a couple little ones from TJ.

So, all I can say is... talk to people. Ask questions! Find what still needs to be found! Pictures galore! Keep our little (and sometimes too big) hobby alive and share. Maybe someone will stumble in here and get swept away~

Best wishes!

And Yuzu, if you somehow find this, Mahalo!

tl;dr: For all those terrible things you hear about the internet, there are some redeeming qualities. Nice people, orchid vendors, communities, orchid vendors, amazon and orchid vendors.

*Disclaimer: I am not supporting nor am I encouraging giving out addresses to random strangers on the internet. In my case, after considerable amounts of correspondence and careful cost/benefit analysis Yuzu had been deemed relatively trustworthy.

[terracotta7]

Looking forward to seeing pics when it blooms! You made my day with your story...thank!

[katrina]

What a wonderful surprise!

For the record though...I think this generosity happens more than most people realize. I have been on the receiving end of it as well as the giving end of it. Plant people tend to like to share and what an awesome thing it is.

[Subrosa]

Hmmmmmm......makes me think about the plants in my collection that were just straight up given to me the same way. Including my favorite plant, and a bunch of other orchids, tons of carnivores and associated bog plants, etc. Plant people really are the best!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The internet is truly a blessing despite its shortcomings.

Prior to the internet, all I had to go on was orchid growing advice that was from the 1960's - 1970's and I was starting to grow orchids well into the late 1980's and very early 1990's. Thank goodness this is no longer the case. That 20 - 30 years gap in information relevancy is a big, big difference! The problem with publishing information in book form is because it takes too long to publish. By the time the book is published, the information may not be relevant anymore.

The orchid growing hobby has grown dramatically, and very rapidly since the advent of the internet. People no longer have to depend on old defunct information. People can also see what other people from other parts of the world can do and learn from them. People in one country no longer have to depend on information from people in just their own country anymore either. This large amount of information exchange is what has made a huge impact of what is possible to grow for many growers around the world.

I know that most of the advancements I've made in the hobby were the results of information I found on the internet.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Indeed, I too have been on the receiving end of a gift from a member. It gives one some hope for man kind. And I can't tell you where I would be if it weren't for the internet and this forum helping me to grow my orchids better. Yes I still have trouble with some plants but some I am having so much better luck with. Thank you orchid board

[estación seca]

When we approach EVERYBODY with a wide-open heart and the realization they are our sister or brother, the world is a better place.

[Mandy2705]

Since getting into this hobby and having a few successful reblooms and first blooms, I just want to share with everyone around me the joys of growing orchids. I share quite a bit with family and friends and I am ecstatic when I am repotting an orchid and end up with two plants. It means I get to give and share!! I plan to share on my YouTube channel bc there I can still see the progress of a shared orchid. I have a few extras I plan to give away in the next coming year

[theloyalplum]

Thanks guys for posting! I like to think the orchid grower world is nicer than most, minus the poachers. Grrrr poachers. I'd like to share my collection around, but I've only been actively growing for a year, so my divide-ables are slim to none... but when they do. DIVISIONS FOR ALL! Hope the culture in the community never changes!