My name is Shalva and I love orchids - Orchid Board

Shalva · #1 03-04-2012, 07:52 AM

it started back in September when after admiring a friends plants she bought me one dark pink/purple Phal which has gone crazy in its southwest facing window... My husband bought me another for Valentines day... and I found a sad looking phal at home depot both of these lovely little plants are doing great... But then yesterday was the Orchid Show and that is when I realized that I had a problem, an addiction.... I bought two dendrobiums, a paphiopedilum and a cattleya... I am totally addicted... Now I needed a book so I bought that... I have joined the orchid society, I need a light meter and lights and a humidifier and a sprayer and humidity trays and and and...... I am spending money hand over fist but I LOVE THEM... they are so beautiful and interesting.... who woulda thunk that a plant could have so much variety and color...

so thats me... an addict... and its my 80 year old friends/mentors fault....

About me ... I am a University Professor, with a husband, two cats, and 9 dogs (5 goldens, 3 flat coats and an Irish Wolfhound) I am also a glass artist in my spare time and now an orchid collector... did I honestly need another hobby?

I am here to learn... I need to learn so I can keep these lovely plants growing and blooming for a long time to come
thanks
s

billc · #2 03-04-2012, 08:03 AM

I see a greenhouse in the not to distant future. Welcome!
You should post your geographic location in your profile, it may help if you ask any questions in the future about plant culture and or conditions.

Bill

Shalva · #3 03-04-2012, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billc

I see a greenhouse in the not to distant future. Welcome!
You should post your geographic location in your profile, it may help if you ask any questions in the future about plant culture and or conditions.

Bill

I am already talking about a greenhouse..as you probably can tell I don't do much "small" I am one of those, if I am going to do it, I am going to do it big and right. but I am not sure how I want to do that... I don't really want my orchids away out of site in a greenhouse... I really want them in the house where I can see them all the time BUT I know that may not be best for them... right now I am leaning toward a couple of those pop out bay windows that will hold my growing addiction... that having been said we have a contractor coming to do other work on the house this spring sooooooo
I will adjust my profile... I havent done that at all yet...

The Mutant · #4 03-04-2012, 08:32 AM

It's great to read about someone else who has got the addiction as bad as I have and I totally agree with you on the wanting to have these gorgeous plants in sight.

Welcome and beware! OB will not improve your condition but rather it will enhance it.

Leafmite · #5 03-04-2012, 10:41 AM

I'd just pop out a wall and make a 'plant wall' or heated porch/sun room if I could. I buy fragrant orchids/plants for a reason. : )

Paul Mc · #6 03-04-2012, 10:47 AM

Welcome! We would be glad to assist your growing addiction! We are all enablers here, lol...

Some people bring their blooming plants in from the greenhouse so they can view them in the house. Also, be sure to plan much bigger than your current thoughts as your collection will seemingly multiply by itself, lol... I know, I've been there and it is still happening! Remember, one is too many and 100 is not enough! ROFL!!!!

Merlyn · #7 03-04-2012, 10:59 AM

Hi ! My name is Chryss and I'm an orchidaholic !!! Don't be afraid, it's not a disease you can die from ! Unless you spend all your money on it and starve to death !!! Be careful of that !!!

My collection is fast approaching the 200 mark and I grow inside my house. I used to have a dining room and a spare bedroom !!! That's how I got to keep them near me inside !

Daethen · #8 03-04-2012, 11:12 AM

Welcome aboard!!! You sound like me. I do it all the way or not at all. I had 1 orchid 2 years ago and now am over the 200 mark. I am currently trying to find or build a greenhouse. I also am a glass artist!! Stained glass originals and repairs of church windows. All of the above are correct. We are horrible enablers here. And many of us are willing to share divisions of plants when they get big enough. This is NO place to visit if you don't want this addiction to explode.

Paul Mc · #9 03-04-2012, 11:16 AM

Tell me about it. I joined a year or so ago with about 10, now At 86!

Shalva · #10 03-04-2012, 03:45 PM

thanks for the welcome everyone... it seems like this could be either a very good place for me or a very expensive place for me to be... I am looking forward to learning lots and getting these plants going... my biggest concern right now is humidity... we heat with a woodstove and that can make the house pretty dry... I have the plants on a windowsill in the kitchen right now but am looking to move the furniture around in the sitting area so that I have the window and can put a rack of sorts in front of it with the humidity trays so that should help .... I am also going to add the water holder back onto the stove and see if that will help....

I am looking forward to learning and am excited to have these beautiful plants and be around those who wil understand my addiction....

Jonada, I am primarily a sociology professor but do mostly commissions in stained and fused... Lately I have been doing alot of dog show trophies.... but it keeps me busy and with the extra cash to feed my orchid habit.