Greetings...from a New Orchid Addict

[Pete]

Hello All,

My name is Pete and I live in Philadelphia,PA. I have recently taken a fancy to Orchids and think that I am already addicted. The past several weekends have been spent researching the various types of orchids and determining what genus will work best for my windowsill culture.

I have concluded that I will initially grow phal hybrids and species. I have a very large East facing bay window that from what I understand is "ideal" for growing Phals. Only yesterday, I ordered a Baldan's Kalidescope "Golden Treasure" from Norman's Orchids and a Phal Violacea var. coerulea from Kawamoto (E-Bay). Those two are going to be my first introduction to the Phals.


Well, I'm sure that I will have a million questions for you good folks so please bear with this newbie.

Best,

Pete

[Grandma M]

Pete, good choices. Welcome to OB. This is a good place to learn about growing orchids....and we are great enablers. Don't you think just 2 plants will get lonesome? They may want company in that window ledge.

Marilyn

[dounoharm]

yes, welcome and think about increasing your collection...lol....lady slippers will probably work well for you too

[cabbo]

Welcome Pete, if you ever get down to the S. Jersey shore check out Waldor Orchids in Linwood. Also on the web but alot more available in person. Cant recommend them enough.

[Connie Star]

Welcome!
You'll be up to 20-30 in no time and you'll be very happy.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

Welcome!
You'll be up to 20-30 in no time and you'll be very happy.

many oncidiums and oncidium alliance inter-generic hybrids, as well as many dendrobiums also do well on windowsills

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB.
Two window sil phals will definately be lonely
Joann

[trdyl]

Welcome to OB!

You'll be up to over 10 in no time.

[Pete]

First, let me say thanks to all for the welcome! Truly an amazing amount of knowledge on this board.

My interest in orchids first began when I was about 7 or 8 and I saw an picture of a large blue cattleya flower in a book. My folks told me that the flower was an "orchid" and that they only grew in greenhouses! I borrowed several books on orchids from the library and was simply astonished to find the beauty and variety in orchid flowers as well as the environment in which they grow. The books at that time (late 70's) pretty much supported what my folks had told me...the orchid was a hot house flower. I never did convince my folks to buy me that Cattleya!

Originally Posted by Grandma M

Pete, good choices. Welcome to OB. This is a good place to learn about growing orchids....and we are great enablers. Don't you think just 2 plants will get lonesome? They may want company in that window ledge.

Marilyn

Ok, ok....perhaps two is somewhat of a modest number...but it is a start! Based upon the number of orchids that I looked at on the internet, especially those on the BigLeafOrchids site, I could see that number growing a bit...


Pete

[orchidlvr2]

Welcome to OB! A great site to learn about our favorite plants. I doubt you will stay at 2 plants for very long. They are absolutely addicting. Always need to have something in bloom! You might want to try compact cattleyas. Another good choice.