New and growing - Orchid Board

opal · #1 11-07-2011, 03:02 PM

Hi

I joined this board because I adore orchids and am looking for far deeper knowledge from what can be googled. I have been into orchids for 3 years now. My collection is not big nor very exclusive, but is very much adored beyond belief. I currently house oncidiums/oncidium alliance, paphiopedilums, dendrobiums and a few phalaenopsis.

My most beloved orchids are oncidiums and oncidium alliance. We work well together. I ignore the huge growths and they ignore my underwatering and just throw leaves and roots everywhere. From those I own : Oncidium Sharry Baby Sweet Fragnance (and who doesn't lol), Degarmoara Flying High Stars and Bars and a noID that looks suspiciously like some Zygopetalum mix but I never really bothered with it.

My second best beloved species must be paphiopedilums as their attractive, yet small leaves (and lightweight pots) make them ideal for carrying with me into the shower. I wish I could buy some more, if I could find any, but unfortunately the store where I bought them got closed down and nobody else in a wide wide range from my place is stocking them. Ah well. I managed to get my hands on Paph. Argus, Paph Argus mix and a noID plain leaf one that hasn't bloomed yet so I have no idea what I bought. In any case it will be reddish one.

Third place is for dendrobiums, as they too are easy to carry around and don't fuss much about anything. I own some noID white and pink and some small keikis I got from a friend. I'll see if I'll be able to get them to blooming size.

Phalaenopsis must be my not so favorite orchid because I find them heavy to carry around, their flower stalks just get stuck everywhere, they are space eaters and are only pretty when they flower. And on top of that, every single person I know owns at least one, even those with really low income. Besides you can basically pick them at the gas station. I had "luck" of picking the weirdest of them all, some peloric philippine phal mix that is just a weirdo in growth. First, it has mottled leaves. Then it has peloric scented flowers. Then it just flowers and doesn't produce leaves at all. It doesn't follow leaf-flower-root schedule at all. With it it's just flower and flower and more flower and whoops...more flower. I really wish to see more leaves but...no....ah well, just my luck. It is driving me crazy and I fuss all over it and see no rewards at all. Gaah. And my second one I bought because I didn't want to leave the orchid nursery without one and so far it is normal phal, a bit miffed because it doesn't get sprayed every 2 minutes like there but looks good enough to live for a long time,

Oh yeah, I also own one miltonia, not sure for how long thought. It finds my treatment of such a divine lady quite rude. I don't think of it as 'mine' as I got it from a colleague who didn't want to take care for it until it flowers again. I certainly wouldn't buy myself one (because they are difficult to take care for) and this one looks most miserable of the lot. It did push 4 new growths thought and even as they look wrinkled from my 'care' they still grow nice and strog so there is still hope we'll be friends by Spring.

My green beasties are not alone though, they are accompanied by a few carnivorous nepenthes' who are probably thier best friends considering all the flies they eat, banana plant, coffee plant, few lemons, pomelos, grapefruits and various chinese feng shui plants, for a total of 30 something green friends to take care of.

Well, that's a bit about me, hope to get to know you and your green beasties.

Opal

jrodpad · #2 11-07-2011, 04:06 PM

Hey Opal,

Welcome to the OB - sounds like you will fit right in here. The people on the OB are friendly and knowledgable beyond belief. What ever your questions - someone will have an answer or two... or ten! Jump right in, don't be shy, and share pictures if you have them - we are all quite voyeuristic when it comes to our orchid collections.

All the best,

- J

Merlyn · #3 11-07-2011, 04:30 PM

Zoi2 · #4 11-07-2011, 07:14 PM

Hello and welcome!
Joann

Vanda lover · #5 11-07-2011, 07:24 PM

Hello,
welcome to orchid board. You could check the internet and see if there are any orchid shows in your area. Then you might get more Paphs. We have very few places to buy orchids in our area too.

Nancy

tucker85 · #6 11-07-2011, 07:51 PM

Welcome to Orchid Board!

CTB · #7 11-08-2011, 06:17 AM

Is there orchid societies in your area. I have learned so much from my society and it is so nice to have people around who want to talk orchids. Welcome!
Always someone around here willing to help out or compare growing points. Enjoy

opal · #8 11-08-2011, 11:17 AM

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I am happy to hear there are seriously experienced growers here. Unfortunately there are no orchid or any plant societies around here nor exhibitions. If there was an orchid show I would be first one there. We have some kind of small annual flower show but it mostly features outdoor plants and no competitions at all.

I will work on some photos, as far as I can see I only have Degarmoara Flying high Stars and Bars uploaded so enjoy:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y19...DgmraClose.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y19...ra2spikes1.jpg

CTB · #9 11-08-2011, 05:57 PM

Nice blooms, and lots of them. Is that a money tree
beside it. I have one too.

Leafmite · #10 11-08-2011, 07:42 PM

You can never have too many plants...until you run out of windows. I have many non-orchids, too. I have a little coffee tree and a variegated banana tree among my collection. My newest non-orchids were piper nigrum, two new jasmines and camellia sinensis which took large pots, lots of space. Have fun and enjoy sharing the orchid experience!
Leaf mite