A crowded windowsill in Portland, OR - Orchid Board

plantluvver · #1 08-13-2011, 10:14 AM

Hi,

Today I bought my first Cymbidium (or I think it is, anyway.) It is out of bloom. Between that and realizing that I have several out of bloom "supermarket" orchids that I have not killed (yet), I have decided that I really ought to learn how to rebloom my orchid menagerie.

My main interest is in fragrant, EASY orchids. In general, I find the Genus Oncidium to be the most appealing.

Right now I have 2 Phalenopsis. These are still in bloom, one purchased in approximately April, the other earlier this week. Neither came with a tag.

I also have:
Oncidium Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance'
'Kilauea Karma'
Cymbidium mentioned above.

What I hope to get from this forum is some confidence in dealing with orchids (I have never repotted or fed any of these.) and also help in developing a routine for caring for these plants that will bring them up to their potential.

nutgirl · #2 08-13-2011, 10:23 AM

Welcome, it sounds like you're on your way.

You'll find lots of info here.

Hope you don't run out of windows.

Maureen

dounoharm · #3 08-13-2011, 10:58 AM

hi and welcome! remember light is essential in blooming orchids, along with a proper watering routine....clear your windows, lol.....

Zoi2 · #4 08-13-2011, 11:54 PM

Hello and welcome to the OB!
Joann

RosieC · #5 08-14-2011, 11:14 AM

Welcome to Orchid Board

Sounds like you've got some great orchids. I love Oncidium Sharry Baby, one of my favourites.

'Kilauea Karma' does not sound like the full name of that one. Generally a name in quotes is the cultivar name of a specific plant and all the clones/divisions of that one. Does it look like this one ?Odontocidium Catatante 'Kilauea Karma' AM/AOS

If so it's likely an Odontocidium Catatante with the cultivar name 'Kilauea Karma'. Another really nice one

plantluvver · #6 08-14-2011, 06:20 PM

It has been a long time since KK was in bloom, but that could very well be the flower. Hopefully, I will get her to bloom again soon.

I was reluctant to include more information than was on the original tag that came with the plant.

WhiteRabbit · #7 08-14-2011, 07:02 PM

Glad you found us!

If you are able to post a pic of the plant you believe to be a cym, I am sure we will be able to confirm, or if it appears to not be a cym, hopefully get at least an alliance id for you.

If it is a cym, it's best to grow outside - they like a good deal of light, and most also require a period of cool nights, late summer-fall, to initiate spikes.

plantluvver · #8 08-16-2011, 08:49 PM

Thanks, I posted a pic in the Identification section, and it is a cymbidium. It is a confidence builder to realize that I can recognize a Cymbidium on my own!

Now I am thinking of going out to look for more rescues!

vandagirl · #9 08-19-2011, 02:49 PM

Welcome. It sounds as if you're well on your way to get addicted. It happened to all of us. Nothing special. There are more worse things.

RJSquirrel · #10 08-19-2011, 10:24 PM

We all start out with crowded windowsills.Then with crowded houses, then we build crowded greenhouses. Yes thats right they are crowded when they get built to get the crowded stuff off the patios bathrooms, overhangs, and embankments from your dog Spots Gold mine encroachment. Then we move up to the OVER crowding aspect. OVER crowding is genuinely referred to by orchid lovers as "Collecting". I didnt even know I was collecting orchids 'til I was...,OVER crowded.

Hi