Do you choose orchids wisely?

[Austinerd]

I was bitten by the orchid bug over a year ago now, but I don't think it "took" right away....then I made a few impulse purchases at a local orchid nursery, and then a couple of impulse mini-catt "baggie" purchases at Lowe's....without any idea that I didn't have the right growing conditions. I was just like "ooh pretty red!" THEN I started looking at the Orchidboard forums and it kicked into high gear. So now, until I am able to get the T5 lighting fixtures I want, I am being very selective and sticking to phals. I do have a wish list on Big Leaf Orchids, and plan on going to the Alamo Orchid Society show in San Antonio later this month so I will probably pick up a couple more there. I have 17 orchids now but have actually only rebloomed 3 or 4 of them, so I want to do it right. I really appreciate all the kindness and advice I've received on the Orchidboard so I'm VERY GRATEFUL to all of the orchid peeps! Thanks!
Dan in Austin

[Grandma M]

I was bitten by the Psychopsis bug when I saw one on OB by Jasen last fall. I took a walk on the wild side and Jasen found me one just like his.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, that bug hit hard. I found I could rebloom that one and now I have 8, all different. 3 are in bloom right now. It was a wild step for me to go out on a limb on an Oncidiium type because I have always thought I could not grow them. I repotted them into S/H, they took off, and they are all showing new roots.

I like the wild side...... once in a blue moon.

Marilyn

[camille1585]

I usually try to research plants before I get them since I can't afford to spend money on plants that I can't grow, but that doesn't stop me from impulse shopping! The worst was the orchidshow I went to. I went there with a list of plants I like, and ended up coming home with one of those, as well as 5 other ones! They are doing pretty good, now I just have to see if I can rebloom them!

Now that I'll have a decent light setup, I have many more possibilities to explore, and I can't wait!

[Beverly]

I dont choose wisely. I like a big variety of them. I'm sure I'm going to be jumping through hoops trying to keep them all healthy and happy.
Beverly

[PleuroPal]

I'm trying to get a little more prudent about this issue, but I have been known to take a walk on the wild side as it were. Another way of putting it would be to say I've been known to be a fool rushing in where angels fear to tread.

Several years ago I bought my first Masdie (a Masd. Mendozae) based purely on the cool picture of it at Andy's, and proceeded to kill it within several weeks. I hadn't done the proper research and I left it in direct sunlight and let the medium dry out frequently. Needless to say, it didn't take long for this little baby to expire.

Around the same time I got a Dracula houtteana, and although it is still alive, it has not been happy at all. I think it's starting to recover, but for the longest time - even though I knew it needed shade - I still didn't give it enough water, plus the water I was giving it was high in dissolved salts and we all know what draculas think of that.

I've learned a lot since then, but I've still ocassionaly thrown caution to the wind and bought more masdies, pleurothals and bulbos, because they're some of my favorites. So far everybody seems happy although there have been no flowers. My biggest concern is the onset of summer. I have no A/C and usually don't need it. But there are a couple of weeks out of the year when I sorely wish I did have it, and I think some of these babies will be wishing for it even more than I will. But we'll see.

[penguin66]

I'm an impulsive buyer for orchids. I might think about culture requirements after the fact. Since I'm new to having orchids survive, I'm still trying to find out which ones like my growing area. Until I find out, I'm all up for experimentation!

[Andrew]

The options were a little tricky for me to choose from. I don't buy orchids with temperature or humidity requirements that I can't maintain. However, I will still try very difficult orchids who's requirements are still similar to orchids I currently grow, ie those that have similar requirements to the ones I'm already growing but are much more demanding that you get it right first time and everytime.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Grandma M

I was bitten by the Psychopsis bug when I saw one on OB by Jasen last fall. I took

I found I could rebloom that one and now I have 8, all different. 3 are in bloom right now.
Marilyn

Marilyn, out of curiosity, have you found any of the ones you have to remain a bit smaller in stature? That's been the main thing holding me back from Psychops -- I love the flower form but with those spikes they're just too tall.

[Bolero]

Yes well I think everyone takes a walk on the wild side occasionally. I know I have bought plants I really shouldn't be growing.

For instance those niveum and bellatulum don't really go well in this cool climate......((SIGH)). But we all dream of growing the things we really shouldn't.

[Roy]

After too many years of having plants sitting in the green house filling up space and doing nothing or dying etc, I only buy plants I know I can get to grow and flower. Its just a waste of time, money and space. Yes, I buy the odd plant "at the right price though" to see if it will grow in my conditions but I do study up & make a note of the plants that should, then and only then will I buy.