Hello from (a surprisingly sunny) England!

[Paddy]

So hello everyone, I am Paddy, age 17, i live in England and i am studding Biology, Chemistry, Physics and maths at A-level (if that means anything to any non English members). As with everyone else on this forum I like my orchids and currently have a meager 9 in my collection (but you have to start somewhere!). I was first bit by the orchid bug back in 2009 when I did some school work experience in the Royal Botanical Gardens Kew and saw their amazing labs for Epigenetics of plants, to the orchid laboratory where they breed only orchids. As you can imagine this was an amazing experience (not knowing anything about orchids) seeing rooms dedicated to the propagation of orchids, some of which had only two plants of the species left on this planet! This inspired me to buy my own orchid at there shop and that was where it started. But then things took a turn for the worse! Exams and other events meant that I forgot about what i had seen and only picked up one or two plants. But now I am back! I recently have added four plants to my collection, all of which I picked up from the supermarket I work at (don't kill me i know how some people feel about this source of plants!) for a grand total of £12 which include to Phals, one Cymbidium and one Miltoniopsis. So that is me and I hope to hear from you all and hopefully learn a lot (and maybe one day teach someone something!) Cheers!

[CTB]

Welcome! Design your greenhouse now, you'll be surprised how quickly your collection will grow. Orchid growing becomes an addiction before you know it.

[Paddy]

Ha ha cheers! I will get rid of the shed now then :P

[Gage]

Welcome to Orchid Board! Very nice story of how you got the bug. And it sounds like your collection is coming along wonderfully. Don't be intimidated by people saying they have 100, 300, or 3000 orchids in their collection. What I have learned is that the most important thing is to know what I love and enjoy the learning process for each of my plants. I have about 60 orchids right now, and although I imagine I will have hundreds more one day, I am not in a hurry. I try to focus on getting better at growing my current plants, and learning more about the plants I "think" I want to add to my collection. The research and learning is half the enjoyment! Ok so I know you didn't ask for my ranting so I will stop now. Welcome!

[Paddy]

Thanks Gage, I am glad some one enjoyed my story! I know what you mean by you relay enjoy the learning to care aspect. I have had my Kew orchid for three years but only this year have i been able to get it to re flower by giving it more light (THE SPIKES ARE GROWING! HUUUURAH!) and I don't minde a bit of reading, rants are good

[Leafmite]

For many years, I had two and only two. I collect many other plants and someone gave me the orchids as a thoughtful gift. Good luck with your studies and welcome to the forum!

[Pilot]

Welcome! I hope to visit Kew one day. It's a bit of a drive from Colorado, though. . Good luck with your plants and post pics of your flowers! I enjoyed your story too!

[Leafmite]

Gage, I can't imagine how people manage a huge collection! I have about sixty, too, and the numbers climb very slowly, sometimes going down when I give some away. I like being able to identify my orchids by sight and have time to care for them properly.

[Paddy]

Thanks Pilot and Leafmite, and you should visit Kew its nice!

[JaneEyre]

Welcome
I also enjoyed your story. I would love to see Kew gardens. When, someday, I go to England that will be the first place I will see.
I am, too, trying to keep my orchid collection small (no more than 50). I started with two orchids that grew but never flowered for years. I got into orchids when I found out they are non toxic plants to have around pets. Then, I was hooked.
Don't feel bad. Some of us occasionally buy orchids at the local super stores too. I just can't resist them and sometimes such stores have that diamond in the rough.
Good luck with you new addiction.. hehe, I mean hobby
Post some pics, we love to see blooms.