Is anyone actually my age?

[Queenslander]

Welcome, I wish I had started when i was 13. I started too late, that's why I don't buy seedlings any more, don't have the time to see them grow.
I hope you enjoy this OB, they are great people.

[AonghusD]

Originally Posted by prc11

and now I have over 40 orchids of all kinds. I have visited many greenhouses and the members at my local orchid society have been very generous giving me info and plants.

You are so lucky that you can visit greenhouses and talk to people because I live in Ireland which is one of the worst places ever to grow orchids and the closest (Good) orchid greenhouse is over in America.


Plus all my friends laugh when I tell them what my hobby is but apart from one who is an understanding person but I just say to them I want to be a Doctor.

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Well AonghusD, I myself have been interested in orchids since I was your age, though I am not much older now, just turned 15 in August! You should look around and see if there is any orchid societies in your area! I am currently a member of one now and they are really friendly and excited to see a person so young interested in orchids! And about your friends, though I do not know them I do know this, a true friend would NOT make fun of your hobby! And you should also ask around about greenhouses, because I am sure people would know of multiple greenhouses that have CITES permits and would ship to Ireland! So, WELCOME to the board!

[Hedge]

I know from the experience of my own teenage children that having your friends' approval is more important than anything else; but it is something that we all discover that what matters to you is what is important and as others have said, true friends will respect your interests and see for themselves how much this hobby means to you.

You say you tell them you want to be a doctor - well, why not a doctor of plant sciences ? I hope that your friends will find this an acceptable career choice

[RosieC]

There are lots of nursaries in Europe (The Netherlands is big on orchids) and you don't need CITES or any other paperwork to ship them anywhere within the EU.

I'm pretty sure Ireland is in the EU because you guys use the € as currency. (I should know for certain of course, but I'm rather useless on those types of things). You should have no problems buying orchids from Europe and I'm sure many UK nursaries will ship there as well.

Of course visiting one is another matter if you don't have any near you.

[Hedge]

There is an Irish orchid Society which operates out the national Botanic Garden in Glasnevin, check out this link (if you haven't already) Orchid Information, Tips & Advice for Beginners - Irish Orchid Society

[SewPretty]

i'm 26 and my friends think my "old lady hobbies" are silly. but that's fine. i think they are silly too. :P

[Tindomul]

Orchids are not old people hobbies. Neither is bird watching for that matter! I know, cause I do them both, and I am NOT OLD.

hehe. I really don't think there is any age limit or requirement to love orchids. The only reason I started at 25 was because my mother always told me that they would die on me and not to waste my money. But around the house I was always the person to take care of the plants from age 9.
Welcome to the Orchid Board, all of you teens!

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Orchids are not old people hobbies. Neither is bird watching for that matter! I know, cause I do them both, and I am NOT OLD.

Age is mind over matter... If you don't mind, it doesn't matter!

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

Age is mind over matter... If you don't mind, it doesn't matter!

I like that!!!