Hello from Virginia

[cirillonb]

Hi Lilivate, welcome from a neighbor up the turnpike in Fairfax City. If you haven't already done so, consider joining orchid groups. We have a small informal one that meets in Annandale. Hollin Hills Orchid Society of Northern Virginia. Several very experienced growers but no intimidation.
Nick

[Lilavati]

Originally Posted by cirillonb

Hi Lilivate, welcome from a neighbor up the turnpike in Fairfax City. If you haven't already done so, consider joining orchid groups. We have a small informal one that meets in Annandale. Hollin Hills Orchid Society of Northern Virginia. Several very experienced growers but no intimidation.
Nick

Do you have a website I can look at?

[dgenovese1]

Hi Lilavati,

Welcome to the OB!

You really had me laughing when I read your opening post. Thanks!

I actually grew up and lived most of my life across the river in Montgomery County, Maryland. I'm a long way from there now...and my chid addiction has also gone a long way too...from a mere 6 plants in Maryland...give or take...to over 400 now.

But don't worry...there's always room for one...two..or even a dozen more orchids.

I'm looking forward to your pics when you get them. Have fun here.

[cirillonb]

Originally Posted by Lilavati

Do you have a website I can look at?

Hollin Hills Orchid Society - Northern Virginia
hit the link and hopefully it will bring you to their home page.
Nick

[Lilavati]

Originally Posted by cirillonb

Hollin Hills Orchid Society - Northern Virginia
hit the link and hopefully it will bring you to their home page.
Nick

I'll have to try to make it sometime! Unfortunately, the firm usually doesn't let me escape until pretty late on weekdays . . . I'll have to sneak out a window or something!

[greenbean]

18 months and already 25-30 chids! I know that's probably pretty common, but I've had to control myself (teen living with parents who aren't entirely thrilled about their home being converted into a greenhouse ) so with all my other plants, I've only gotten 7 in 3 years .

Isn't it wonderful when you are just getting your first reblooms? Like a the orchids are saying: "we're happy, so we'll make you happy too!"

I wish I could grow rex begonias. I've tried twice and failed. In contrast I've brought 4 orchids back from near-death. Just goes to show, orchids are easy! and have a great time on the Orchid Board!

[Lilavati]

Originally Posted by greenbean

18 months and already 25-30 chids! I know that's probably pretty common, but I've had to control myself (teen living with parents who aren't entirely thrilled about their home being converted into a greenhouse ) so with all my other plants, I've only gotten 7 in 3 years .

Isn't it wonderful when you are just getting your first reblooms? Like a the orchids are saying: "we're happy, so we'll make you happy too!"

I wish I could grow rex begonias. I've tried twice and failed. In contrast I've brought 4 orchids back from near-death. Just goes to show, orchids are easy! and have a great time on the Orchid Board!

Honestly, I've killed more Rexs and Africian violets than Orchids. I've been pretty successful with Rexs and AVs, but they are much trickier than most of the orchids . . . I find it so funny when people come into my office and are like "Wow! Those must be really hard to grow!" or tell me that someone gave them an orchid and its sick and could I look at it.

After protesting that I don't know much, I usually look at it, and end up with one of three answers: "Have you tried watering it?", "Its burning to death pressed up against that south-facing window in a sky-scraper", or "Orchids are not aquatic plants." Or, on one occasion, for a fourth response: "Its deciduous." "What?" "Decidious. Like a tree. It goes dormant in the winter." "How did you know that?" "I took the name on its tag and Googled it."

Yep, Orchids are pretty easy!

As for the number . . . well, my office is now the unoffical bontanical garden of the firm . . . I have a reputation to uphold! Oh, and I'm hooked.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Lilavati

As for the number . . . well, my office is now the unoffical bontanical garden of the firm . . . I have a reputation to uphold! Oh, and I'm hooked.

I would love to see your office! I do cleaning jobs after class to earn some money, and boy do the Dutch love their plants. Every single office I clean has large window sills absolutely overflowing with plants!

People also come to me asking for advice. Ever since my mom told her work buddies that I'm an orchid addict, they have been asking for care sheets and I even babysat neglected phals from four different people over the summer. They sure were happy when I gave them back their plants late august and theyall had spikes just starting to show! Maybe I should open an orchid sitting business.....

[greenbean]

Originally Posted by Lilavati

Honestly, I've killed more Rexs and Africian violets than Orchids. I've been pretty successful with Rexs and AVs, but they are much trickier than most of the orchids . . . I find it so funny when people come into my office and are like "Wow! Those must be really hard to grow!" or tell me that someone gave them an orchid and its sick and could I look at it.

After protesting that I don't know much, I usually look at it, and end up with one of three answers: "Have you tried watering it?", "Its burning to death pressed up against that south-facing window in a sky-scraper", or "Orchids are not aquatic plants." Or, on one occasion, for a fourth response: "Its deciduous." "What?" "Decidious. Like a tree. It goes dormant in the winter." "How did you know that?" "I took the name on its tag and Googled it."

Yep, Orchids are pretty easy!

As for the number . . . well, my office is now the unoffical bontanical garden of the firm . . . I have a reputation to uphold! Oh, and I'm hooked.

Hehehe, yes Orchids are very addictive. But it just feels so good to give in! I work at a local nursery and noticed an odd little plant sitting under a bench in the back. My boss had gotten it at the Saturday market and didn't even know what it was! Turned out to be (tentatively, as it has yet to bloom) a reed-stemmed epidendrum. In my boss's defense, it was sort've stunted at the time and didn't look like the usual orchids. I'll have to educate them It's just sort've funny what some people do with chids.

And Camille, an orchid-sitting business would be awesome! I wouldn't mind doing that myself. You could charge money or divisions (when possible) as payment!