G'day from Perth, Western Australia - Orchid Board

Rosiefuture · #1 03-22-2007, 06:28 AM

Hello there, I just fell over this site while Googling something on Vanda's.

My name is Marion and I live about 50kms south of Perth in Western Australia.

I have a growing (in number and size) collection of orchids. The largest part would be dendrobiums but I also have cattleya's, vanda's, cymbidiums, oncidiums, epidendrums, sarcochilus, maxillaria and a sprinkling of others.

I used to grow a lot of other potted and hanging plants but I have gotten rid of many of them to concentrate on orchids. I needed the space!

There is one frustrating thing about living where I do and growing orchids. It is often difficult for me to get hold of them. Western Australia has draconian quarantine laws for plants entering the state or the country. There are not may orchid nurseries in WA so I have to look to other nurseries/growers in other states. To be able to send plants to me they have to be licensed and follow all sorts of procedures...........this is very expensive.

I get a lot of my orchids off eBay but miss out on SO MANY because the seller (9 out of 10 of them) are not licensed to send to WA.

Once I find out how to post pics on here I will show you some of my orchids as they flower. I also have some that I don't know what they are so maybe some one can help then.

Nice to be here

Marion

Tindomul · #2 03-22-2007, 10:59 AM

Those are Draconian laws!!! But hey, they are protecting the local flora. Welcome to the Orchid Board!! Glad you found us. We have some other Aussie members, and you guys seem really good and Dendrobiums!! I think that cool as every Dendrobium I look at turns to stone. It stops growing and eventually falls apart. Hehe.

jim blanford · #3 03-22-2007, 07:38 PM

Welcome to the Orchid Board Marion,check out the gallery it's great. Jim.

Toddybear · #4 03-22-2007, 07:54 PM

Welcome Marion. We have laws in Newfoundland about sending OUT plant material (we can't unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate) but thankfully we can import anything we like! We have no local orchid suppliers except supermarkets that periodically bring in Phals. Otherwise, we have to import ALL our orchids..ahh I long for the pleasure of being able to personally pick out my own plants! SIGH!

cb977 · #5 03-22-2007, 09:17 PM

Hi Marion

Glad you stumbled across our site...it's the best trip you'll ever take!

Sounds like you've got a great collection going, we'd love to see it

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask...you've just made LOTS of new friends

Lagoon · #6 03-22-2007, 09:29 PM

Hi ya Marion, Welcome aboard!
You grow a various assortment of orchids for sure. Looking forward to the photos

justatypn · #7 03-23-2007, 12:38 AM

Aboard Marion, sounds like you have made a great decision to register here at the OB...so much fun and so many different growing enviroments. Can't wait for you to post a few

s of your collection. Stinks that you can't have free rein of buying but it is totally understandable. Sit back and enjoy our gallery, read a few posts answer as well...glad you stumbled upon us

Rosiefuture · #8 03-23-2007, 01:11 AM

Hi everyone, thanks for such a warm welcome. Not many of my orchids are in bloom at the moment, just a couple of epidendrums and one soft cane dendrobium but the flower on that is passed it's best. I have a couple of cattleya's that are in sheath so I'll snap them and I have lovely white soft cane dendrobium in bud. Is it easy to post pics on here? I've done it on a few boards so I can probably work it out. Marion

Oscarman · #9 03-24-2007, 08:25 PM

Hi Marion welcome to the OB!

I see that you have set up some pictures in the Gallery already. When I saw them, I thought wow this person must live in a warm place to have so many plants outdoors. Looks like nice stuff! Enjoy all our features, especially the people.

Rosiefuture · #10 03-25-2007, 03:27 AM

Hi Dave, yes I live 50kms south of Perth on the coast. It never gets to freezing here so we have no problem with frost. It tends to be fairly mild and there is more rain in the winter. I've now found out that I should move my dendrobiums to an area where they won't get rained on during the winter. I'm hoping it will mean that they will have more blooms next spring.

Seems like a nice friendly place here and people only too pleased to help.............I need it. Although I have a lot of orchids I have a lot to learn.

Marion