Orchidophile

[JungleWriter]

I just want to say hi and profess my love of orchids. I've been lucky enough to travel to places where beautiful orchids grow in profusion. Some of my photos of wild and cultivated photos in the Amazon region of South America are on my website Jungle Photos, which has been online since 2000. Please let me know if any of the identifications are wrong!

I presently have four orchids in my collection. Puny by most standards, I am sure, but they get lots of TLC! I am looking to grow my collection, but just want to be sure I have the right conditions for them.

Glad to meet you all!

[Bud]

Welcome and hello ! Sit back and relax...read some postings of other members and learn from their wealth of experience through years of growing orchids...
it is advisable to put your location or your growing zone so we can advice you accurately on how to care for your orchids.

[JungleWriter]

Oh, thanks Bud. I am in North Carolina. I daren't risk growing outside because the summer temperatures are brutal. I guess orchids would do okay in spring and fall. The orchids I have right now are on a window sill. I have one that is three years old and is just a trooper. It has had flowers nearly all that time.

[Bud]

What kind of orchids are they? If your plants are used to being indoors and happy, theres no need to bring them outdoors.

[JungleWriter]

The tag on the oldest one is a bit cryptic. It says Dtps. Taida Salu "Taida" HCC/AOS. I figure AOS is American Orchid Society. But the other words don't mean much. I also have three miniature orchids (it's a small windowsill!): LC Tropical Pointer Cheetah Spots, Onc. Jairaj Rainbow Freckle Face and LC Tropical Pointer Cheetah BM/Joga - White w/red spots. They seem to be growing fine. They get some morning sun and then light shade/filtered light the rest of the day. I water them with purified water just when they seem to be drying out.

[Bud]

Its supposed to be Doritaenopsis 'Taida Salu', do not repeat the 'taida". its a bright red Phalaenopsis alliance
You have two cattleya alliance thats spotted beautifully
Your oncidium is also beautiful...do not cut the spike on this unless it turns brown and dies because they can bloom again on the same spike
they will all survive on your windowsill ...you can look up on many stickies on all your alliance.
your tap water is bad? if your plants are used to bottled drinking water then they are divas!

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

I would love to see places where they grow like you have. Wonderful!

[JungleWriter]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I would love to see places where they grow like you have.

Yes, I have been very lucky. It was my Amazon travels that sparked my interest in orchids. I'd always loved house plants but thought that orchids were too difficult. Actually, they're among the easiest plants IMO!

Here's a photo of my current collection on the windowsill.

I usually don't cut the dead flower spikes until they are completely withered. And I don't give them bottled water! Tap water is fine, but from a well, so I don't know what impurities are in it. I have a water filter (Pur) which I use for drinking water and occasionally give my orchids a sip.