Hello from Chicagoland - Orchid Board

biomechorchid · #1 01-24-2011, 05:02 PM

I have two phalaenopsis orchids that I keep at my desk at work (can't keep plants at home unless they're hung from the ceiling or cacti--I have four cats that won't hesitate to kill greenery!)

My husband bought me the first one nearly two years ago and I've gotten it to re-bloom three times; the last bloom yielded seven buds which made me very happy. I had to learn via a lot of trial and error!

He just got me a second one today so while googling around, I found this website. I would love to learn how to propagate these orchids.

I live in the western 'burbs of Chicago...married, no kids, and have four cats, a horse, and a zillion aquariums

sailortom2 · #2 01-24-2011, 05:37 PM

before long you'll want to change one of those zillion into a grow chamber to have orchids at home safe from the cats...welcome to the board!

biomechorchid · #3 01-24-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailortom2

before long you'll want to change one of those zillion into a grow chamber to have orchids at home safe from the cats...welcome to the board!

Thanks...I wish I could grow the orchids right in the aquariums! I'm sure they would like the water. Our 180-gallon aquarium has two large overflows at the back of the tank; in there the water flows over a rim and cascades down to a standpipe; water level is about 12" vs 24" as with the rest of the tank. I have pothos ivy in there--it grows like wildfire. It uses the aquarium's fluorescent lights as a light source.

CTB · #4 01-24-2011, 06:57 PM

Welcome to the Orchid Board, how to you keep your orchids warm on the weekends., it's cold in Chicago!

biomechorchid · #5 01-24-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTB

Welcome to the Orchid Board, how to you keep your orchids warm on the weekends., it's cold in Chicago!

The office is heated over the weekend, too. People often come in to work on weekends, also there are temperature-sensitive samples here (laboratory)

snappyguy · #6 01-24-2011, 07:05 PM

Welcome to OB!

jim blanford · #7 01-24-2011, 07:25 PM

HI... And WELCOME, I live in Aurora and belong to the Batavia Orchid Society we're about to have our annual Orchid show, I'll be posting all the information about it soon, that would be a great place to get all the information you need to grow your Orchids, it's a great show, watch for my post in the show forum and again WELCOME.... Jim

biomechorchid · #8 01-24-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim blanford

HI... And WELCOME, I live in Aurora and belong to the Batavia Orchid Society we're about to have our annual Orchid show, I'll be posting all the information about it soon, that would be a great place to get all the information you need to grow your Orchids, it's a great show, watch for my post in the show forum and again WELCOME.... Jim

Cool, I'd love to go see that! I'll keep an eye out. Where do you guys purchase your orchid supplies from?

RosieC · #9 01-25-2011, 07:42 AM

Welcome to Orchid Board

I wish I could grow some in my office as I would love to have them arround me as I work. Would probably be a distraction though and anyway there is no natural light.

PinkCloud · #10 01-25-2011, 09:12 AM

Welcome Biomechorchid!
Good to have you with us. You'll soon find that orchids can be very addictive. You'll need a bigger office to fit them all in!