Greetings From Alabama - Orchid Board

rmack5 · #1 08-07-2008, 04:44 PM

I am new to this forum. I have grown orchids in the past. The best success I had was about 6 years ago. I had the orchids set up in a third bedroom of my apartment. The orchids had lights, a humidifier and a fan set to a timer. My wife and I watered and fertilized every Wednesday. We called it water Wednesdays. The orchids did great there. I purchased most of the orchids I had from Lowes or Wal-Mart on the discount tables. Nevertheless, we had to move to New Orleans. Our apartment there was only 585 sq feet so the orchids had to live outside on the deck. With the demands of school and work, the orchids took a back seat. When we moved back to Alabama, the orchids did not last long. We had a new family (little girl), new job and a new life. But now things are settled down and I want to try my hand at orchids again. My wife and I loved having orchids in bloom and want to experience that again. Needless to say, I have never tried anything aquaponicaly but I want to try. As a result of my daughter’s allergies and her eczema, we have been gardening organically and making most of her baby food. The idea of aquaponics came as a result of researching the best way or organic gardening.

All that to say, I want to try it out. Our local Lowes has several orchids they are trying to kill with neglect and I want to try my had at restoring them to their beauty. I have read most of the threads on the sh method of growing. However, I want to try a more aquaponic method.

Richard

Ross · #2 08-07-2008, 05:20 PM

Richard, let me be the first to welcome you here! Nothing like going back to an old hobby, eh? If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and also feel free to check out the whole board. There's enough here to keep any person busy for weeks!

dgenovese1 · #3 08-07-2008, 05:35 PM

Hi Richard,

Welcome to the OB, and back to the world of orchids. I don't know anything about growing orchids aquaponically, but I'm sure that there are folks here that can make suggestions/advise you appropriately.

I had to laugh about your comment regarding the chids at Lowes that they were "trying to kill with neglect". Your Lowes must be managed by the same team that manages the one here in Naples.

sucuz · #4 08-07-2008, 05:40 PM

Greetings Richard. Welcome to the Orchid Board. I'm sure that you will enjoy getting back into orchid growing. If you are looking for something more aquaponic, there are several threads and discussions from people who grow orchids in vases with the roots suspended in water. These may pique your interest. If you are so inclined to try this...go for it. At any rate, welcome to our ever increasing community.