My name is Catpainter, and I live in Castle Rock, Colorado. I have been reading here and learning from so many of you (Ray, Estacion, and so many others, thank you so much for sharing your expertise!)... so I felt it was time to say Hi!
Just spent this morning watering and potting up two Vanda's in the semi-hydro setup. Fingers crossed! It is SO DRY here and I can't always be home to mist these girls every couple hours.
I bought my first orchid (pink Phal) from the grocery store in July of last year. I literally thought that was what all orchids looked like. Went online to learn how to care for her, sadly failed but learned a lot. And what an amazing new world I found with so much variety and beauty that I never ever knew existed. In the intervening months, I have bought up to around 45 orchids. I have some that are hanging around not doing too much, some that are healthy and growing well, and a few strugglers. That's why I came here to learn. I am already implementing much of the advice from you all.
And what really prompted me to post was a brand new flower spike I found this morning, starting on my Ascocentrum ampullaceum. Not sure if I am eligible to post pix yet, maybe by the time she blooms! It's so tiny and looks like maybe about 15ish buds (just dots right now but can't wait!). She is also starting a new leaf, maybe started 1-2 weeks ago but still small. Hopefully she can do all that at once!
Well anyway, thank you all again and