Howdy from Orlando!

[SeanJS]

Hey everyone! Figured Id take a moment to introduce myself before I take the dive into the forums. Im a 2nd year horticulture student at Valencia in Orlando. I am taking Intro to Orchidology this semester and in looking for resources to assist me with the several projects I will be required to do this semester, I stumbled upon orchidboard, and this seems like the right place to be!

My first introduction to orchids came about 6 years ago when I received a Phaius tankervilliae. Ive been dividing it every year since and have at least a few dozen pots now. After being amazed by the blooms and my success with Phaius, my collection quickly expanded to include Spathoglottis, Blettila, and Arundina representatives. After visiting a park down in Miami, I was really taken away by the mounted orchids and quickly acquired a bunch from different websites and home improvement stores with the intent to mount them. I had no real understanding of non terrestrial orchid care, and really didnt understand the care needed with mounted orchids in central florida. Several hundred dollars later, I am left with only my mounted Phal's and tons of small chunks of cypress wood and cork. We live, we learn, right?

My most 2 most recent acquisitions are a Vanilla planifolia cutting and some type of pendant Dendrobium, I am not sure of the name right now. The vanilla was a small cutting, which was supposed to be rooted, however, the roots that were there upon arrival were dead, so it is slowly working on taking root. *fingers crossed*

Some of the projects for school include a writeup on a tribe, a genus, a species, a hybrid, a disease or insect and finally a presentation on an orchid topic of my choosing. For the presentation I have decided to go with Florida native orchids and any conservation efforts involving them. If anyone has any links, suggested reading or expertise on those 2 topics I would greatly appreciate any support provided! I think the most pressing question I have right now is, exactly how many native orchid species are currently recognized in Florida? A google search tells me anywhere from 80something to about 100.

Thanks for reading!
Sean

I promise Ill make use of the forum's search feature once I post this

[Jkelee]

Hey hey Sean!! Welcome to the Super Duper OB!!! Where you can find ANYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR CHIDS, and thensome The GREATEST place on earth!!

I'm in O'town too, so maybe I'll see ya around, and you can teach me what you've learned at Valencia on Chids

[tuvoc]

Sean,welcome to the most informative, entertaining, and sometimes downright silly place on the web. We know a bit about orchids too.

Kim

[elitebettas]

Welcome Sean,
I'm also in Orlando, a graduate of UCF and an orchid Fanatic lol

[Chubidubi]

Sean. It looks like you have your hands full with all your school projects
to the OB. Have fun learning

[Ross]

Sean, you're doing everything right. Studying to get the correct info, getting experience in a controlled environment, etc. Glad to have you here and expect some educated responses from time to time

[Dorothy]

Welcome Sean
Glad to have you on 'board'
If you are looking for Florida native orchids .. just search for Ghost Orchid - you might even find someone here that will drag you through the 'swamps' with them
We have a whole forum on Pests & Diseases, Scientific Matters and most if not all Orchid Alliances ..
Check out Member's Galleries, Member's Projects and Contests, Articles, even Classifieds ..
You came to the right place
If you need help navigating the forum .. don't hesitate to ask

[SeanJS]

Wow! That was quite a warm welcome! Thanks!