First timer greetings

[Vinnieman]

Hi. I've never used a forum before, but love orchids so here goes. I have a collection of 60 intermediate culture orchids. I've been growing on a windowsill (East and South)since 2005 and have bloomed paphs, phals, catts, and have a dendrobium and an angraecum in spike. Love to try getting seedlings on the cheap and get them to bloom, so about 1/3 of my collections is plants that I've never seen bloom. Hate bark mixes now, because I am the plants worse enemy and knock them over constantly. I use sphagnum and clay aggregate on everything I can get away with. My first question is on Cattleyas; if you sunburn a sheath, is the bloom history?

[kiki-do]

Hi Vinnieman ! Welcome!
We are so glad to have you join all of us addicts...oops, I mean orchid enthusiasts.
Is the sheathe burned or is it just dark? Sometimes they are just dark. If the leaves are okay and not burned, then I would not worry about it. If you could snap a picture of it and post it, that might help us to answer. I've had buds develop from very dark sheathes, so that is why I ask.
Again, welcome!!!!

[Vinnieman]

Hi Kiki-do,

Here's a pic of the burnt sheath, or I think it is a sheath. It's in a south window and the leaves have a purple cast to them as well. February, who knew? It is Blc Ocone 'Mendenhall' AM/AOS x C Chocolate Drop 'Kodama'. Any idea what season it would bloom?

[cb977]

That's actually not a sheath...your plant is fine. If the leaves are tinged, it may be getting a little too much light so just ease up on that a little.

I always remove the papery stuff you're showing here, it's a great place for pests to hide and multiply

If you need any help with anything, let us know...we've got the best folks in the world right here

We'd love to see some pictures and sine you are not familiar with working within forums, here are some tips for you:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...chidboard.html

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...u-started.html

[Don Perusse]

Hey Vinnieman, welcome to the OB. Wow, 60 orchids for an windowsill grower? That's quite a collection for such little space. But you must be doing something right. This is the best OB I've seen. A lot of experienced members, good advice, lots of pics in the galleries, and divided into a lot of categories which serve your interest. You plant looks healthy enough, but I agree with the light.

[Vinnieman]

Thanks Don. Hoping to get some orchid culture questions answered, and learn some of this internet technology in the process.