Hello everyone! - Orchid Board

Ms T · #1 07-30-2011, 01:06 PM

Hit a few bumps but now I can finally post! Hi!

I'm Ms T, and this past April was the first time I really took notice of the orchids in my big box stores. I went home and researched furiously to see whether or not I was capable of keeping these lovely plants in my home. Currently I'm still not sure if I am, but I'm sure trying!

As expected, I mostly have NOIDs rescued from the discount rack, and I've mostly succeeded in rotting off roots as I learned the different ways of potting them. :P Most are recovering in bags at the moment, but they're also growing roots and leaves! (Now, if I could stop picking off dying leaves because each time I do, I knock off a new root!)

I do have a few orchids with names, though. I have a little Phal. Zumas Pixie, although it came to me dehydrated and is one of the ones in the 'medical bay'. I have: two tolumnias, a Genting Angel and an orange Jairak Rainbow, three Ludisia discolor and a bitty baby seedling, and on the way are a Phal. Ponkan Rose des Sables and a Vanda Bangkok Blue. I'm on a limited budget, so I mostly take advantage of ebay deals to get those named ones, though my jewel orchids were given by my neighbor.

I've been reading the posts and articles here for quite some time, so I must say thank you to everyone here. So far, I've only killed one NOID phal, but otherwise I feel I'm well on my way to becoming a competent grower. I'm fulfilling not only my desire to have blooming plants in the home, but to bring color here as well, for the sake of my recovering mother who was recently discharged from the army.

I look forward to talking with you all and learning even more!

vandagirl · #2 07-30-2011, 01:21 PM

Hello and welcome here. This is a great forum. You sure will learn a lot here. I also have a Vanda Bangkok blue, but it is a seedling. So it is not blooming yet. I only have Vandaceous orchids from tiny just deflasked ones till vanda's in spike.

Ms T · #3 07-30-2011, 01:26 PM

Hello vandagirl, and thank you!

I didn't realize until after I purchased it that my vanda is a seedling, too. I suppose my reward for taking good care of it will be blooms in a few years, and I get to enjoy its compact size for a while. I didn't realize that these grow to be rather big!

dounoharm · #4 07-30-2011, 01:43 PM

hi and welcome to the board!! enjoy your stay and chip right in, we love pictures too, so be sure to include some pics for us all to view! welcome!

vandagirl · #5 07-30-2011, 01:44 PM

Vanda's sure can get big, but they also have pretty blooms. So a few seedlings sure are nice. They still are small, and with a bit of luck it will not last to long before they bloom.

Ms T · #6 07-30-2011, 01:44 PM

Thank you.

As soon as I am able and can get this camera working, I'll be sure to photograph my collection!

Ms T · #7 07-30-2011, 01:51 PM

I sure hope it won't be too long before my little vanda blooms. In the meantime, I have the perfect little bottle for it.

I kept seeing how difficult vandas are to grow, but once I saw the article on vase culture here, I figured I could try, too.

vandagirl · #8 07-30-2011, 01:58 PM

So you're also growing vase culture. That's nice.
I also use vase culture for all of my vanda's, Asco's and Vasco. It is really working well for me.

Ms T · #9 07-30-2011, 02:04 PM

I hope the vase culture goes well! I think it's a little too soon for me to be considering mounting, as I don't know if it's suitable for my conditions. And I also have a 6 year old niece to consider, haha.

vandagirl · #10 07-30-2011, 02:17 PM

It's better to be safe than sorry with children.
I'm not working with mounting as well. Vandaceous orchids are not really suitable for that. Vase culture is really perfect for me. I only have a windowsill and a small garden. So this is the best way to have them. More orchids in a little space.