Hi from a newbie in Ohio

[RonCo]

Hi

I'm Ron in Columbus Ohio. I've been browsing the forum for a few weeks and thought I would join up and enjoy the fun.

A little background. Actually I'm not all that new to orchids but its been a while....would you believe about 47 years.

Back in 1960 my mom bought me three orchids for Christmas and I built a small basement window greenhouse to winter them over. In the summer of '61 my dad and I built a 12 x 14 greenhouse attached to the garage and it didn't take too long to fill it with orchids. I had almost 200 plants which were mostly "foundlings" and "hand-me-downs". Back then, I was in high school, the greenhouse was a nice "cash cow" for pocket money. I used to sell lavender cattleyas for $2.50 and white ones for $5.00 to the local florist. I was home every Friday afternoon waiting for the phone to ring.

My dad made me a deal, he would provide the water and electricity for free, but I had to pay the gas bill. It usually ran about $10/month.

I really enjoyed the orchids and greenhouse till my parents moved in 1967 and I went in the Army. After that it was get a job, get married and buy a house and and all the other stuff that makes life fun.

I recently retired after 35 years in the science and engineering field and the "itch" to grow orchids is starting to return. I have one blooming in the sunroom right now and hope to expand the collection. Maybe even a greenhouse. Maybe......