Hi from the Florida Keys

[Spookytica]

Alright Shakkai, now I have to ask you, since you work in Hursley, by any chance at the IBM lab there? The reason I ask is that I am a retired IBM'er.

Tindomul1of9, the flowering trees that I have mostly giegers, vera, butea frondosa (parrot trees), lignumvitae, and floss silk.

[shakkai]

Spot on, Spooky. I kinda figured you had to be, as I don't know anyone else in the US that has heard of Hursley!! Did you used to work in Boca?

[Spookytica]

yep Shakkai, in the Boca Lab for 30 years. My first trip to Hursley was in '84. I've probably been there a dozen times or more. How long have you worked there?

[shakkai]

I just moved to the UK in 2000. Previously I worked in Raleigh - just got my 10 year silver pen....

Though I know quite a few people here who really enjoyed their trips to the Boca Lab. For them, it was like being on holiday!

PS. I'm still envious of your beautiful trees and being able to have those gorgeous orchids as 'garden plants'!!

[Spookytica]

Ah, RTP, I know it as well.

Growing orchids as 'garden plants' does have it's challenges. I have almost all 'bare rooted' on trees, or tree mounts, so I don't have fungus problems, even with our high humidity and frequent rains. But I do have my share of insect problems. Fighting a case of mites right now. I think the orchids pick up the mites from the trees. I just wish I knew which trees, so I could move the ones that are moveable.

[shakkai]

Its a good thing you don't have slugs and snails like here! They would each those tender leaves down to the stubs!

Sometimes, working for IBM makes the world seem like such a small connected place. I ran into another person on another forum (for daylilies) whose father had worked in Hursley, and so she had grown up around here. When her father retired, they moved to Canada and that is where she went to University and now lives. Amazing though, isn't it?!

I'm glad you joined Orchid Board... I hope you like it here as much as I do!