Best resources (or ones to avoid?)

[MojoShoujo]

I've recently become interested in orchids, and for me that means consuming massive amounts of content and learning everything I can about them, mostly via YouTube. In the community as a whole though, are there some growers that are contentious or popular sites I should avoid? I've run into the problem before where I grow to like a user's style and trust their content but later learn that they're a laughingstock or on one side of a community split.
For example I know that despite "ice cube orchids" being widely sold and the site acts like their method is the default, watering with ice cubes risks damage to the plant.
I've been watching a lot of MissOrchidGirl's content and she seems very knowledgeable, but again I wouldn't know what is and isn't widely accepted. Do others in the community have any recommendations or warnings?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Tons of good information at:

St. Augustine Orchid Society - North Florida Orchid Growing

[Ray]

Feel free to check out the free information here, as well.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I would add that, in general, I would get second opinions beforw acting on any advice received online, until you have decided which sources can be relied upon.

This is especially true regarding YouTube videos.

[Roberta]

For specific groups (Cattleya, Catasetinae, Aussie Dendrobiums, Sarcochilus) check out Sunset Valley Orchids Sunset Valley Orchids - Culture

The advice to get second opinions is spot-on. And third ones too... Look for people whose growing conditions are similar to yours. (NO advice that doesn't take your conditions into account can help you evaluate the fine points that may be the difference between success and failure.) That being said, consider finding a local orchid society - that is where you will meet people who grow under real-world conditions similar to yours, and who love to "talk orchids".

[Dollythehun]

There was just an extensive thread on this if you use the maroon box at the upper right. I'd search for YouTube or misddorchidgirl.

[Paul]

No matter who gives you the advice, take that advice with a grain of salt (or even a salt lick). The conditions in your home and yard may not be the same as someone else's. Even within your home or yard the conditions will vary from spot to spot (in what are generallly referred to as 'micro climates'). For example, advice from folks who grow their plants in a greenhouse often has little relevancy for someone growing on a windowsill.

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

What Paul said and further more, the single best thing you can do as an orchid newbie is join a local orchid society and speak with/absorb/question/learn with local growers

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

One thing you can look for to see who knows what they're talking about is if they can verify their sources.

Can they back up their claims with references?

For example, if someone says that Habenaria rhodocheila is actually a lithophyte that grows in between rock crevices of limestone hills, outcrops, or cliffs, and not a true terrestrial, can that person verify this claim with a video, photo, or other resource?

Also, just because someone is wrong with one thing, does not necessarily mean they may be wrong with other information. Healthy skepticism is fine, cynicism gets you nowhere.

You will often find that you will not be sticking to one solid source all the time. You may find several sources to be very reliable.

[Leafmite]

I found two orchid societies in Iowa:

The Central Iowa Orchid Society Welcomes You !
easterniowaorchidsociety.org/

(I hope one of these is close enough for you to visit.)

Orchid societies are a great resource and exist to educate and help people grow orchids as well as to provide support and encouragement. My orchid society has really great people with a variety of knowledge. I know just who to ask for any questions that I have.

With any plant, the best thing to do is to learn as much as possible about the plant's native environment and how it grows in the native environment. How does the plant interact with these conditions? What adaptions help it to survive in these conditions? Once you understand this, you can try adapt your own conditions to give the plant what it needs.

---------- Post added at 02:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:15 PM ----------

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

One thing you can look for to see who knows what they're talking about is if they can verify their sources.

Can they back up their claims with references?

For example, if someone says that Habenaria rhodocheila is actually a lithophyte that grows in between rock crevices of limestone hills, outcrops, or cliffs, and not a true terrestrial, can that person verify this claim with a video, photo, or other resource?

Also, just because someone is wrong with one thing, does not necessarily mean they may be wrong with other information. Healthy skepticism is fine, cynicism gets you nowhere.

You will often find that you will not be sticking to one solid source all the time. You may find several sources to be very reliable.

This is very true.