Greetings from cold, snowy New England

[jrodpad]

This seems like the closest thing to an on-line orchid addict’s support group, so I think I’m in the right place. I’ve been slowly collecting orchids for the past year or so and becoming more and more engrossed in collecting and caring for orchids.

At this point they’re fairly distributed throughout all of the east, south and west facing windows of the house (oh, for the want of a greenhouse… even a small one). I’ve got a four very different phals, the tiniest of which I’m told is a species orchid, a pair of oncidiums (what is the plural of oncidium?), one of which is a mini, and just the most amazing mini masdie, my newest acquisition. I just stuffed the mini masdie in a terrarium because of the high humidity requirement - we’ll see how that goes. I put the oncidiums under a growlight in the winter to augment the low daylight we get here in the north-east. Occasionally during particularly drab weeks I’ll rotate the phals under the light as well just to give them a boost. Humidity control is a bit of a challenge as I have forced hot air heat in the house, but my manic misting seems to be staving off mummification, at least for now.

I’m lucky enough to live in the same town as a historic greenhouse that imports all sorts of orchids from all over - so I have constant access to a whole host of new plants. They also offer continuing education classes so I’ve taken a class or two on orchid care, repotting and dividing, etc. They also have an orchid doc on hand to diagnose ailing plants. The doc has brought one of my phals back from the dead, and seems to really know her stuff. I know where to go if I want to be enabled.

I will try to jump back on this post and upload a picture or two, I have a kaleidoscope phal that is super flashy and has put out 22 blooms on two spikes. I’d love to share but I’m sans camera at the moment. Happy holidays.

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[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

Well we're certainly all orchid addicts, but if you want a support group to help you quit you won't find it here... here we support you in deepening your addiction

My Phals get low daylight just now because when our Christmas Tree is up the curtains are not able to open at that end of the room, so they just get the bit of light that comes in from the east. Last year I only had a few on the windowledge, now I have loads and I think I'm going to have to keep rotating which are on the windowledge so they can get some more light. Like you I long for a green house.

[quiltingwacko]

Welcome to the board, home of many many orchid addicts. You will never be lonely again for another addict. Carol

[Connie Star]

Welcome jrod
I'm up here in snowy NE, too. in Amherst MA
I'm curious as to where you are- sounds like you have nice resources available to you.
I've been growing orchids for less than a year and I am seriously hooked. This is a really great group and you will learn a lot.

[Country Gramma]

Hi Jrodpad, I am in central MA and know the problems the weather gives us.

We love photos. This group rocks!!!

Welcome, Karen

[jrodpad]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I'm not quite sure how to post pics, as I'm a web forum newbie, but if this works I will have posted a few representative photos.

I'm in Waltham, MA and the greenhouse is the Lyman Estates Greenhouse - it's a property that is part of the Historic New England properties. Every time I visit the Lyman Estates Greenhouse - I desperately want a greenhouse at my place. I'm just not sure that I can justify heating a greenhouse in the winter . . . we'll see.

Well, thanks again for the replies, and I hope to be posting regularly.

[Country Gramma]

I think the MOS (Mass Orchid Society) meets somewhere in or near Waltham. I met some of their members at an orchid show. You could check that out.

What are the names of the first and fourth orchid you posted. I love Masdies and my dear husband loves orange

Beautiful by the way, Karen

[jrodpad]

Thanks Karen,

I have the names written down at home. I'll follow up with the names some time on Monday after I return.

I'm a big fan of Masdies too.

- Jrod

[etex]

Welcome to the forum! Your blooms look beautiful!

[Grandma M]

I'm also a rather new fan of Masd. Right now they are doing well but summer may be a problem with the heat in Michigan.

No worries about the heat now. It's cold, snow, sleet, and difficult to drive.

The last pic of the Masda is fantastic. I'm waiting for a name.

Marilyn