Orchid Novice

[patricia]

Originally Posted by Marty

Should you feel the need to introduce yourself, this is the place to do it. It is not manditory by any means, but if you want to, go for it.

I guess I'm feeling rather powerless in my new love of orchids. I have all sorts of questions, all sorts of fears, but this new pursuit, one which I hope to enlarge in my retirement in several years, has really captured me for life!

[shakkai]

Welcome, Patricia! You definitely come to the right place... we are all in various stages of orchid addiction - the common factor is our love of orchids. The other common factor is everyone's willingness to share what they learn and try to help answer questions that anyone may have.

It sounds like an excellent fit to me! Please feel free to ask any questions you might have. No fear needed, we've all had to begin somewhere at sometime, and the questions that you ask will surely help other people who visit who may have the same question.

We love questions... and we love photos!

Now, here's a question (or two) for you: is there a particular type of orchid that you love? What kinds do you have already?

[cb977]

Hi Patricia and to Orchidboard!

I've moved your thread to the Introductions Forum so more of our members can give you the Orchidboard greetings

You'll find many great folks here sharing the ups and down and ins and outs of growing orchids

Where are you located? What types of 'chids are you growing now? Indoors? Outdoors?

Too many questions? I can't help myself

If you need help with anything, fell free to ask. You've just made lots of new friends

[Candice]

Hi Patricia!!!! Welcome to the OB!
Please ask away, the only thing to be feared is all the answers that you will receive and then have to choose between them!!!! You will get plenty of information, advice, and wisdom here on this forum. Can't wait to hear what kind of questions you have, I will most likely learn form them also!

[patricia]

Oh, my gosh! You are all so kind to respond! I hope I'm doing this right! (My computer skills aren't my best virtue!) I'm hoping this goes to all three of you.
Well, I have lost track of the number of orchids that own me. I know it's in the teens somewhere. Orchids enticed me for the first time at the Philadelphia Flower Show several years ago. The show was all orchids. I brought ONE home. Now, if I go to an orchid grower or a "fest" I seem to come home accompanied by three or four.
I have more Phals than anything else. I have two Oncidium and two Cattelayas(sp?).
I have met with enough success to keep my spirits high, but I recently brought home the two Oncidiums (as well as several miniature Phals. from an area Orchidfest, and I am worried that something's wrong with the Oncidiums. Brown spots on the leaves...corrugated leaves. I don't know! All I do know is that I am in a panic, thinking that I should stop buying and focus on becoming more of an expert on whtat I have. I am an eighth grade English teacher, and in several weeks the bulk of my life will be reading novels and grading essays. I simply don't know what I'll do if I have pests or disease.
Hmmm, I do go on, don't I? It's just that I am the only person I know who is an orchidite.
Patricia

[shakkai]

Patricia, You've just made a whole bunch of new friends by find Orchid Board.

Don't worry about the computer stuff, if you get stuck with anything, just ask and someone should be able to help. The reply that you just sent gets posted to the discussion thread that started with your introduction post - all of the replies to the original post go there, that way everyone can follow a 'conversation'... So you're doing just fine!

As for your Oncidiums, it may not be any big problem... They have a tendency to get spots on their leaves if you mist the leaves when its warm. This is just cosmetic damage and, if you don't mist, won't show up on new leaves as the plant grows. The wavy/wrinkled leaves are also something that happens to this family of plants, I think. It comes from the plant drying out just as the new leaf was developing. (Though in general, I believe, these plants like to dry out in between waterings....)

The thing you need to do is check the roots and the growing media. You can gently tip the plant out of the pot and see if the roots look healthy (white, firm, with green growing tips) and check that the potting media hasn't broken down into really small bits around the roots. (This blocks out air circulation - which the roots need - and hold more moisture around the roots causing the roots to rot.)

Let us know what you find when you inspect the roots, and we can go from there.

Also, keep going on!! By all means! That's what we're here for.

[Tindomul]

Welcome to the Orchid Board Patricia. Glad you were able to find us and join up. Hope to see you around.

[Candice]

Patricia, post your pics of your plants that you may have problems with and you will recieve more feedback that can correctly identify your problems if any on your 'chids. If you have any questions on how to do so, try these links for help loading your pics: Gallery Photos us know if you need more help...also try the search tab at the top of this page...it helps alot, because there have been many others, to include myself , that have probably asked the same questions!!!!

[Djarum Black]

Hi Patricia,

Welcome to the OB! I think you will really enjoy this community. Everyone is really awesome and you will feel comfortable to ask just about anything!
If you have a sick orchid or two post pictures and I'm sure someone will be able to help out!

[patricia]

[Wow! Thank you all so much for your warm welcomes! I am going to work on the photo aspect of all of this. It may take me a while.