Hi - Orchid Board

ScottMcC · #1 06-06-2006, 10:38 AM

Hi, I'm Scott. I'm a skydiver, recently married to another skydiver, a new physician, and also like orchids.

I've got 10 of them now, growing in and around several south-facing windowsills in a Chicago high-rise apartment: 2 unknown phal hybrids (a white and a purple), 2 spotted phals, a yellow phal, a big purple Laeliocattleya, an Oncidioda charlesworthii, an Oncidium Sharry Baby, a Miltonia Echo Bay, and a Brassia (unknown hybrid).

I've only had them a few months, so the first of them are just starting to lose their flowers (I bought all of them in flower--I'm too new at this and impatient to buy something that won't bloom for years, if ever). The one exception is the Sharry Baby which is in spike and they claim will flower within 4-6 weeks. I can't wait for the chocolate fragrance!!!

If anyone has any suggestions for a couple more orchids to put in hanging baskets near the top of my windows, I've got room for a few (provided my wife allows me). The room with the space is currently my intermediate light/cooler room (and also my bedroom) and maintains about 50% humidity. And I also wouldn't mind a paph or phrag for somewhere too, so if someone has suggestions I'd love to hear them. I can take some pictures if people want to see the space better.

I've rambled enough for now. Thanks in advance!

Tindomul · #2 06-06-2006, 11:21 AM

Welcome!
There is a doctor in the house now!!!
Scott, you're avatar is giving me anxiety

.
Glad to see some more newbies on the board. Now I don't feel so alone.
Have you ever thought of getting Stanheopias(spelling)? I hear they do well in haning baskets.

Did you ask if we wanted to see pics? There is no need to ask!! Bring them all on!!!!!
There is a neat gallery you can use to store them in, and then use them to post on the board.
Again, Welcome!!!

bwester · #3 06-06-2006, 11:33 AM

Any coelogynes would probably do well in a basket, just keep it moist. The flowers last a good while. I dont know how much you would like stanhopea. The flowers only last for 2 days, but what a marvelous 2 days they are. Gongora would do well in a basket also, wicked flowers too. Get a brassavola nodosa too, they do well in a basket and will give the whole area a wonderful night fragrance. I'll leave the paph/phrag info to Heather, who is likely to chime in any minute now. Welcome to the forum, by the way, lots of good people and info here.

Oscarman · #4 06-06-2006, 11:42 AM

Hi Scott, welome. Of course we all love to see pictures of what you grow and also where/how you grow.

Sounds like you have an interesting mix on plants.

Enjoy the forums!

ScottMcC · #5 06-06-2006, 12:37 PM

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...500&ppuser=432

Here's some pictures. I'd welcome any suggestions!!!

nyorchids · #6 06-06-2006, 01:38 PM

scott looks great!!!! you needs some paphs! check the paph gallery i just posted about 20 different paphs take a look

cb977 · #7 06-08-2006, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tindomul1of9

Welcome!
There is a doctor in the house now!!!
Scott, you're avatar is giving me anxiety

.
Glad to see some more newbies on the board. Now I don't feel so alone.
Have you ever thought of getting Stanheopias(spelling)? I hear they do well in haning baskets.

Did you ask if we wanted to see pics? There is no need to ask!! Bring them all on!!!!!
There is a neat gallery you can use to store them in, and then use them to post on the board.
Again, Welcome!!!

A few of my orchid society friends love stanhopeas. They must be grown in baskets, because the blooms come through the bottom. All the stans I've seen were in wire baskets with kind of wide openings. Don't remember what was being used to keep the medium in the basket, but maybe somebody else here will come up with that information.
Welcome to the board...

ScottMcC · #8 06-08-2006, 11:39 PM

I gave serious thought to purchasing a stanhopea today...I went to Oakhill Gardens and they had a number of them available, some of which with spikes just starting to poke through the bottom.

I held off though, because they were still of the size that they would only make a spike kinda rarely, and 2-3 days of flowering just wasn't cutting it for me. I was really really close though.

I also came close to buying a Gongora, but they had just finished blooming, and I'm too impatient to wait until next year.

I did buy a Brassavola nodosa in a basket though. It's got 2 buds and another spike just starting. I'm excited. I can't wait for the nighttime fragrance!

Tikva · #9 06-09-2006, 11:16 AM

You got to GO to Oak Hill? They are near Chicago?
Ummm....You have Eli's Cheesecake Factory Steakhouse place and Oak Hill??
I am MAKING my husband take us on his next business trip there! For sure!

ScottMcC · #10 06-09-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tikva

You got to GO to Oak Hill? They are near Chicago?
Ummm....You have Eli's Cheesecake Factory Steakhouse place and Oak Hill??
I am MAKING my husband take us on his next business trip there! For sure!

It's an hour and a half from downtown, where I live.

Absolutely amazing collection of seedlings and species orchids, many of which I had never heard of. Unfortunately a number of them didn't have pictures/samples of a blooming plant so I would encourage potential visitors to come prepared with some kind of picture atlas, or at least know what you're looking for!

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff, definitely won't steer you in the wrong direction.

I also suggest that you try Orchids by Hausermann--only 40 min from downtown. Absolutely huge selection, although focusing more on big plants and cattleya alliance hybrids. Great for someone like me without the patience to wait for seedlings, and they also have blooming samples or photos of almost every plant.

Eli's, unfortunately, is closed due to construction. I suggest you try the Chicago Chop House on Erie St.