New to this obsession...I mean hobby

[JerseyWendy]

Jeff, AWESOME tip about keeping a log. THANK YOU for that! I'll start one today. All my phals are NOIDS, but I do have names for the 4 catts. I kept the plant labels in their pots, too. As for repotting, I already repotted 2 of them as I couldn't stand the medium they were in. But I think I'll make some labels for the NOIDS, so I can keep track on what bloomed when, and who was repotted at what time.

The "Black Market micro-climate comment made me spit my coffee all over the monitor. Hilarious, but oh so true.

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Wendy

[Zoi2]

"Black Market" micro-climate. OMG...I've been doing this for years and didn't know there was a name for it.
Joann

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

Great story about how you got started.

[jeffg]

Glad the "Black Market" thing rang true.

I have surrendered, as has my wife inadvertently, that we can always make room for one more. It took me 2 months of selling her that we were not "giving plants away", rather "boarding" them at a friends greenhouse before she let one go. She claimed "separation anxiety". This from a woman who told me to slow down...

We have plants at "Boarding School". This happened because, early on, I was "flower shopping" rather than looking at the plant size. God, the Catts that I brought home not knowing they were such leggy beasts. I have a (good) friend who agreed to take them into her greenhouse and then calls when they are budding. Now, I ignore (mostly) flowers and look at the plant. Can I manage it's growth and does it justify the room? I love all of them, and get richly rewarded from our relationships, but, ultimately, size does matter...

[JerseyWendy]

Originally Posted by jeffg

.... I love all of them, and get richly rewarded from our relationships, but, ultimately, size does matter...

For sure. When I bought my baby cattleyas, I was simply smitten because they were so...cute. Then I ordered 2 more out of Hawaii and my jaw hit the floor when they arrived and I saw how big they were. And I seriously thought I had room for quite a few more in that location. Not. That means having to find a new location.

But first I'll try and slow down a bit to see how my inital group of orchids will do for me.

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Wendy

[jkhom]

Welcome Wendy.
You were right the first time, it is an obsession!
Where in central NJ do you live? I live in Wall.

[Tropicgirl]

Hi there! Welcome to the OB! Great story about your start!

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by JerseyWendy

But first I'll try and slow down a bit to see how my inital group of orchids will do for me.

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Wendy

Slow down? Slow down! Betcha can't

There's always room for one more

The best way to avoid the "black market" syndrome is to have so many orchids that hubby (or wifey, this is a unisex disease) can't tell when there is one more! Works for me

[JerseyWendy]

OMG, Connie, I really have to make sure NOT to have any liquids in my mouth when I read the replies, otherwise my monitor is likely to suffer.

jkhom, I'm in Howell. Yay...we are neighbors for sure!

You are all SO super nice. I'm loving it!!

[trdyl]

Hello Wendy. Welcome to OB!