Gday from new Aussie Orchidboarder!

[tansyflower]

Wow, thanks for the warm welcome!!!

Yes, we Aussies do seem to have some different orchids, although I am always amazed at how many of the same we have to people in other countries (those orchids like to globe-trot).

I have mainly dendrobiums and cattleyas, as well as a handful of phals and oncidiums, and then some odds and sods. I have a mixture of species and hybrids. I'd probably prefer to stick to species, but there are too many pretty hybrids out there, and before I know it I've bought another. Also have a few (too many) noids.

My growing conditions are sub-tropical, which is great as I grow outside year round (whether the orchids like it or not). I have a small green house with another larger green house waiting to be set up. I think my husband is worried I will try and fill the big one with orchids and plants the moment it is set up (it's 4.5 x 9 metres). He knows me well....

And I'm also not sure about NW Qld orchids. I think NW Qld is very dry? Far North Qld is very tropical, and has lots of orchids. Darwin which is in the Northern Territory is also tropical, and grows lovely orchids, but in between is very outback-ish.

[Oscarman]

Welcome to the OB tansyflower! You've come to a great place - so many great people. Have a great time here, share your pics, share your thoughts; we look forward to hearing your insight from your part of the orchid world.

[Tindomul]

Welcome to the orchid board!

[Sotetsu]

Hi there Tansyflower, a big welcome from England!

I love your part of the world, best bit of Australia in my option. Not too hot, not too cold and no crazy extremes like Melbourne; and you’ve got the beautiful Gold Coast, nice.

What are your lowest temps for winter? I’ve been there around Surfers Paradise and the Hinterland in January, and loved the tropical and humid weather, and wondered how cold it gets in winter if you’ve got your orchids outside all year? It must be wonderful to grow them outside there, you are very fortunate.

[tansyflower]

Thanks again for the welcome.

Sotetsu, I am a couple of hours north of the Gold Coast, just inland of the Moreton Coast.

I'm hopeless with temps, I always have to ask my husband for temp estimates, but from memory we get down to about 10 degrees on the coldest winter night.

We are very lucky, as we live on the side of a mountain, so it doesn't get as cold here as it does on the flats (about 5 degrees warmer), and also doesn't get as hot in summer (about 5 degrees cooler). The orchids seem to like it, and it really cuts down on their care requirements. Which is a good thing, as I like neglect-tolerant orchids.

[Sotetsu]

Hi again Tansyflower,

Do you have any pictures of your orchids? Would be great to see them some time.

[trdyl]

Welcome to OB!

[tansyflower]

Ok, well, twist my arm!!

[tansyflower]

And some more!!!

I posted the last one, as someone asked about C aurantiaca today (actually from the pic, I think it was 4 not 5 flowers).

[trdyl]

That is a wondrful group of blooms you have. I particularly like your Den. signatum.