Grow means there are lot of facts underneath.
Because they grow/bloom without any help from us in jungles. Normally we just plant them on a tree trunk and wait for blooms, even here we seldom water them .
Some growers never pour any fertilizer .
But pigeon orchids bloom thousand flowers .
By this method I got many years of experience with my aunts and myself.
But on the other hand with applying fertilizer method
I have only two years and I shall announce at the moment I got 10 flower spikes in my garden.
Actually I am proud and satisfied with my orchids.
I shall upload my pics soon.
I got my first orchid in 2004, so I'm in my 7th year growing - but I only started doing well after joining orchid board in 2008, and it's also been since then that I have expanded the types I grow
I got my first greenhouse when I was 14 (I convinced my parents to put money for 2 XMas'es, 2 birthdays and my confirmation together such that I could get the greenhouse) and started off with insect eating plants, but soon diversified into orchids. When I moved to London, I had to give up orchid growing for a few years (except on a small scale in a wardian case) and started again when I bought my own place.
There's so much diversity in the growing times you all reported! It's really REALLY cool that there is a place where we can all come together and learn, relish, share, cheer on one another. I, for one, am a grateful orchid killer/learner/grower going on 16 years! You guys rock!
I would like to thank everyone for taking part in this poll. I agree with vmax in that it is great to see that there are many people with many different years of experience!