Hi there from South Africa - Orchid Board

anneries · #1 04-06-2009, 10:40 AM

Hi there
I have been here a couple of times, and enjoy reading through all the posts.
Since I had some small orchids while still in school and my girlfriend just adores them, I decided to join this forum to learn from all of you.
I recently started getting into terrariums and done two bottle terrariums and while browsing all the nurseries today I found a little orchid haven! A place close by with a WIDE variety of orchids, spent almost half an hour just looking and could not decide what to get so here goes ...
I know I can hit the search function and browse through all the posts but a quick question. What would you consider a nice first Orchid? Something that isnt to fussy?
Thank you for reading and thank you in advance for everything that I will learn from you all.
Andries

tuvoc · #2 04-06-2009, 10:56 AM

Hi Andries. Welcome aboard. A small Phaleanopsis would be a good first plant. Not too fussy, and pretty easy to grow and bloom. Have fun.

Kim

LauraN · #3 04-06-2009, 11:05 AM

Welcome to Orchid Board,
I am not sure which orchids would be available in South Africa...
Do you have a list of ones that you were interested in ?

kinknstein · #4 04-06-2009, 11:41 AM

WELCOME TO THE OB!

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #5 04-06-2009, 01:15 PM

Hi and welcome to Orchid Board!

I agree, phals are great starter plants. Good luck!

Craig Gibbon · #6 04-06-2009, 03:11 PM

Hi Andries,

Welcome from a fellow South African!!!! Where do you stay, that would help immensly!! If you are looking for a good beginners orchid for Terrarium, you must try some Ludisia discolor, they have the most fantastic black leaves with red patterning. They will do well in the closed humid atmosphere of a terrarium.

Regards,

Craig Gibbon,
Richards Bay, KZN.

RosieC · #7 04-06-2009, 04:56 PM

Hi Andries and Welcome

:

I like Phaleanopsis as well as good starter orchid but I've never tried one in a terrarium so I'm not sure about that.

anneries · #8 04-06-2009, 05:09 PM

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I forgot to take a list of the available plants they had today.
I live in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa.
For my first Orchid I don't think I will use a terrarium, I want to see if I can get a decent terrarium running with normal, not so expensive, plants, hehe.
Will definitely look into the Phaleanopsis, sure I saw some today.
Thank you all again.

learning2letgo · #9 04-06-2009, 09:25 PM

Welcome aboard to the Orchid Board!

Hope you enjoy your stay....

orchideric · #10 04-06-2009, 10:25 PM

Hey Andries,

Ignoring all the conventional wisdom - and the closed space of a terrarium - my recommendation for a beginner is always an Ascofinetia hybrid (they are all +/- interchangeable). Forget the Phalaenopsis recommendation and the Paph. Maudiae, Ascofinetia are free blooming and because they have a downright compulsuion to branch from the base if you screw up the main plant basal keikis will pop up and save the day. Given decent light they can't help but bloom. A great window sill/under lights plant.

Hope that helps, Eric