Another step towards obsession!

[Kimbubbley]

Hi Guys! Please take a look at my album Im in the UK... any help and suggestions will be greatly received! Ive had my first Phal orchid about 3-4years and apart from the first winter, its never been out of bloom!

I bought a pair of dwarf Phals from a local supermarket, thinking they would be just as easy, and had terrible trouble... pics of each are in the album. I could keep them dry, so repotted them both and found they were wrapped in sphagum moss and then in a really dense commercial orchid 'compost' and most the roots were rotted so now they are a work in progress!

At the time i was trying to save the mini Phals, i went overboard on research and have suddenly become orchid OBSESSED!! Hence joining the forum being another step closer to obsession I bought "flowering age" Oncidium Ornithorhynchum and Sophornitis Purpurata in April this year (also in the album) and have been bringing them up in the home, i dont have a greenhouse or a grow room.... YET! lol. Descriptions of how im growing them both are with the images (start at end of album and work your way forwards). The Onc. has grown 2 pseudobulbs and shot 2 spikes from the most developed new growth, the 2nd pseudobulb isnt quite developed enough to shoot yet. The Soph has developed a PB on the leading leaf and the sheath on the PB is JUST beginning to yellow and dry, but the bulb is firm and fattening.... im soooo hoping i will see my first flowers this year so ANY advice on what to look for and flowering conditions (to back up the sweet talking and admiring it 10 times a day!) in a UK climate without a greenhouse would be WONDERFUL!

Thankyou!!!!

[Eyebabe]

Welcome!

After six years I was able to swing a greenhouse and can tell you that if you ever hit that point you are certainly doomed to orchid poverty

You are in good company here!

[RosieC]

to Orchid Board.

I've had problems with these Mini Phals from UK supermarkets as well. The only one I've managed to keep alive is one I bought when I knew they were fresh at the supermarket and I then re-potted the same day.

Like you I became addicted when I had problems and came here for help. You are in good company here

[WhiteRabbit]

glad you found us!
hehe, unfortunately we are fantastic enablers in the obsession!

[Kimbubbley]

Thanks for the lovely welcomes! the more I've looked around the net, and images, and forums... The more wild ideas I keep getting... mounting my own orchids... turning the old fish tank into a terrarium... finding different species that will thrive in every room of the house... how to hang them from my skylights!

I guess the hardest thing at the moment, to be patient I need to see my Soph (or is it Catt?) and Onc through their first year and figure them out, before I go rushing in head-long

[Jennyfleur]

Hello Nice to have another from the UK What I'm wondering is what supermarkets you and Rosie have?! ... I've never seen mini phals in any of mine down here

[RosieC]

It's mostly Sainsburys that I've seen them in. They always have phals in the entrance of ours and usually have both standard size and minis. The standard size are always in bark, and the minis are always in moss. I've seen the same in other shops around here like Tescos and Asda as well.

[Jennyfleur]

Hmmm, I use both Sainsbury's and Tesco, I must either look harder or mount a petition! Thanks Rosie

[Kimbubbley]

Same for me... Asda always has some, but i pick and choose more carefully now to make sure theyre nice and 'fresh'. Also Llidls have recently started offering more than Phals... Dendrobiums, and others that im not familiar with... which just made me even more cautious to be honest! I dont want to pick one up, then watch it slowly die cos its been shoved from pillar to post for weeks, or isnt suited to my home environment... dont know how long my resolve with last tho!! LOL

[cday2inflorida]