Breaking the Ice, As instructed =D

[6ByAccident]

Hello,
I am mom to 6 kitchen countertop orchids - all phals. Though I had absolutely zero interest in orchids, a friend gave me a lush, healthy, beautiful one as a housewarming gift in 2019. I was able to keep it healthy enough and fell in love with the beauty of it, so when I had the opportunity to rescue a couple more bedraggled, dying orchids, I jumped at it. They became very healthy (no blooms, though), and three was plenty for my counter, but someone gave my m-in-law a small one for her birthday, and then later that month, I fell and broke my hip, and the same person gave me a huge one. By now, my husband was complaining about the takeover of the workspace in our kitchen, but what can you do? =)
Then, this past May, my mother-in-law had a medical problem, and the same friend gave her ANOTHER big orchid, bringing our total to 6, all of which I am the primary caregiver of...
(We have now politely informed that friend, NO MORE, PLEASE! =D )

[nemesis]

Welcome! And if you think you have come to a place where people will help you take care of your 6, nice orchids, you are wrong. We are all enablers who will encourage you to exponentially gather more varieties til there is no more kitchen countertop. You have been warned. Abandon hope all ye who enter here.
Kelly

[Dimples]

Welcome! That friend sounds like they may be the type that enjoys the blooms and then tosses the plant once the flowers fall. Not a bad friend to have around when you like orchids! Space does eventually become the deciding factor for most of us. Haha

If the plants are healthy (putting out new leaves and roots occasionally), but still aren’t blooming, it’s likely because they’re not getting enough light (duration or intensity, or both). They flower best with at least 11 hours of light exposure and typically need to be within a few feet of a E/W/S facing window. If you’re far north they’ll appreciate a little supplemental lighting in the winter.

[Relemitty]

Welcome!
I, too, recently joined this site.
A lot of good knowledge here.
I have 18 phals that are all from a friend that likes the blooms and throws em out when they stop.
And yes they are addictive.

[Diane56Victor]

What a lovely friend! Just get more counter space, believe us, its just easier that way!

[6ByAccident]

Hoping this will show up on Nemisis' reply only...
You are hilarious! I read it to my husband, who said "There IS no more counter space!" (He likes to spread out when cooking...) =D
In case this comes up at the bottom of all of the replies- Thanks for the advice, Dimples! They usually do bloom there, at least once. My first one has rebloomed every year (so, 3 more times), and all of them have bloomed at least once except one of my mystery, bedraggled ones. They are in front of a very big north-facing window, and most of them have bloomed there, surprisingly.
Diane56Victor, I sure wish I could! I love them now!
Relemitty, The same friend who gave us 3 as gifts also passes her spent amaryllis bulbs to me.

[rbarata]

Welcome!

[6ByAccident]

Thank you, rbarata! =)

[Louis_W]

Hey welcome! I hope your hip healed up ok!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Where do you live? Might be able to put the Amaryllis outside in the ground.