How long have you been growing orchids?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I've been growing orchids since I was about 15 yrs old. That puts my experience at roughly 18 yrs.

But the last 7 yrs have been the biggest learning curve. This was the period of time when the most current and the most scientific information has been available to me. Ironically, it coincides with the time frame when the internet started to become much more easily accessible to a lot more people than it had been, and became easier and easier for people to use.

I've only been aware of and been able to obtain many of the lesser known orchids in the trade, within that 7 year time frame.

I can also attribute it to asking the questions "why", "what", and "how".

[peeweelovesbooks]

since May 2007!

[susiep]

I started growing orchids in 1973 when I moved from Miami to Homestead, Florida. The old house I was renting had a very old wooden slat house with a sprinkler system (of sorts). The landlord gave me permission to use it so I rescued all the scaley, mealy bug infested orchids from the dumpsters at the local orchid growers. Seems like it was mostly catts back then, but I had some Florida natives, too. There is such a big variety of species now and so easy to acquire! I have about 200 plants now, a little of everything.

[trdyl]

I started when I was 10 in 1976. Several plants later and just when I was about to give up had my first Phal rebloom in 1981 followed by my first Cattleya blooming the following year. Had a good size collection roughly 130 plants by 1987. Then my work kept me on the move until recently. I really started getting heavily back in to it in 2004. Now I am back up to about 50 to 60 plants and loving every minute. I grow on windowsills for now, but should be getting some lights this year.

[Tindomul]

Since Fall of 2005. I remember joining the orchid board before I had any orchids and not even knowing what the difference was between a Phal and Paph. Thanks Orchid Board!!!!! I wanted to learn about orchids to see if I could grow them in my vivariums. Then a few months later a botany professor bought A NOID Dend, Phal and a Sharry Baby Oncidium to show his class a little about orchid morphology. When he was done he gave them to me as a gift and I have been hooked ever since. It was like he knew I wanted to grow some orchids.
By the way, I still have that first Phal. Still have not gotten it to rebloom
You guys with the 25+ years and up of experience astound me. Just awesome!!!!

[fishmommy]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

You left out 2-3 years, which is how long I've been growing. 2 years, 1 month and 1 week to be precise.

I'm the same! not to the day, but close enough!

[Amanda L]

I'm actually closer to 3 years, but since you didn't have 2-3 I chose to say 1-2 years. I started growing them because they fascinated me. After killing a lot of phals and a couple dens I joined the OB and got the required information to be successful. I have since killed the phal that brought me to this board, I also killed the keiki that it was growing. Crown rot is an awful thing!
I also have a catt and onc under my killing orchid belt. I have gotten better at growing so I don't kill so many these days. I'm sure I will kill more as I become more adventurous and dive into new types of orchids and try my hand at species plants. I blame the OB for my addiction.

[bethanyarmstrong]

I have been growing a Phal. for about 7 or 8 years now, but I didn't become completely addicted to orchids until about five months ago. I voted 5-7 years, though, because I have kept that orchid as well as many other plants alive and healthy for years. I will be growing for the rest of my life, I'm sure. My dream is to have my own greenhouse someday and maybe even my own business.

[Blueszz]

I think I started about 5 years ago, I can't exactly remember. Could be a bit longer, or shorter... It all started when everyone bought Phalaenopsis hybrids and put them in front of their windows. I liked them but I didn't want to join the hype... until my Mom got a few as a present. Dang, they bloomed so beautifully and I got myself also 2. Then my Mom accidentally over watered one of hers and I brought the almost rootless plant back to life... that is when I became hooked.
I tried several sorts of orchids and found out I like Phals, Catt's and Catt. crosses the best... even have a few Vanda's and I adore them. If I had more growing space I would add more of them to my collection. I have to be very selective now(lack of space) because I also love other houseplants.

[vandagirl]

I did vote about 2-3 months. I had orchids before, but I mostly like Vandeaceos orchids. And now we have a sunny room and a garden. So now I'm growing Vandeaceos orchids. They are really my favourite.

Willeke