hello! new owner of three orchids @.@

[shaelyn]

hi!

so...probably not the best way to introduce myself, but uh, last year I bought an orchid from Aldi's and promptly killed it. I shoved the clear plastic pot with drainage into another pot without drainage, and over-watered with ice cubes. in my defense on the ice cubes part, that's what the slip of paper wrapped around the flower spike told me to do - water with three ice cubes once a week. combined with my own ignorance, the poor thing didn't stand a chance. it lost flowers immediately, then its leaves shortly after.

so this year when the orchids came back to Aldi's, I tried to resist the urge to buy but found I couldn't - more than that, I couldn't make up my mind. I bought a big purple phal that looked really healthy, and later went back to buy this white phal that didn't look nearly as healthy, but it was the one I originally had my heart set on, and set myself on a quest to do research so these don't suffer a similar fate to my first.

happy to say, after what's probably been a couple of months, my two new phals are surviving! more than that, my purple one is still putting out buds and blooms, though they're shrinking in size from the ones already on the plant. the white has not put out new buds, but hasn't lost any blooms, either. the white in particular looks like it needs a little TLC, but I'm holding my questions for a new thread in the beginner forum.

right after I made my second purchase, my mom mentions during a phone call, "hey, I've got this orchid that I've had here about a year, and it's never bloomed since we brought it home. do you want it?"
I initially wanted to wait a little bit, since we were about to have a cold snap, maybe it would bloom and she would have a blooming orchid to enjoy, too. when I got a look at the leaves, the potting mix and the light conditions it was under, I thought, maybe I should take it. my mom definitely has a green thumb out in her gardens, but compared to what I was reading, I felt like it wasn't necessarily the healthiest environment...and if I was doing research for my other two anyway, no harm in trying to help a third, I figure.

I wanted to share a photo with you guys, but I can't seem to post it either in the IMG tags or as a URL ><

[WhiteRabbit]

Glad you found us! After you have 5 posts, you can post pix using a url. I think you should be able to upload photos directly to a post using the attachment button.

[SlipperGirl]

Welcome it is great to have you

[Stray59]

Shaelyn:
Welcome to a great place to talk Orchids. I have found a lot of friendly people from all over the world who just wait for an interesting question to talk about. There is an infinite amount of info here and all it takes is the right question or statement to access it.
By the way - I wanted to extend my sympathy for your story of how you became infected with orchid fever - and to know that your mother was instrumental in your contracting the disease! Did she know that it was incurable and that it may bring about the ruination of your checking account, savings account, 401K, mad money, children's college funds and any inheritance you may stand to obtain? Not to mention that loss of personal environment; it will all be replaced with lighted shelving units, various fertilizers, empty pots and a plethora of potting mediums.
There is an upside - you will constantly be rewarded with blooms, new leaves, emerging root tips, and an overall feeling of accomplishment - a pretty good trade-off if you ask me.
The only way to stave off the symptoms (constantly musing about new additions, shaky hand, sweating, increase in personal tics and a propensity to rationalize how you need an orchid more than food....) is to purchase another orchid. After a while you will find little tricks to help, such as taking pictures, or reading and posting on the Orchid Board. If you catch yourself dressing your plants up in little costumes, it is definitely time to post on the Orchid Board!
Good to have your input and presence!
Have a great New Year -
Steve

[shaelyn]

thank you for the warm welcome everybody!

hahahaha Steve, no, I don't think she was quite aware of the predicament she put me in. I tried to stave it off as long as I could, but really, when she asked, there was no hope - I would eventually be adding hers to my collection regardless. as much resistance as I put up, it was futile and I should have known.
gosh, don't give me ideas about the costumes. these blooms would look cute with little bowties sitting under them...or moustaches on the pots... oh WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?! XD

seriously, thanks

edit: in other news...oh hey I can do this now
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/100_2753.jpg

I take photos in a stupidly high resolution, so I'll leave all my pics in links for you guys.

[Stray59]

How beautiful! your phalae's are phenom - great pics!
If you do resort to dressing them up, you HAVE to show pics! Unfortunately, the idea is somehow growing on my!! We could have a costume show and display in the Orchids in Bloom area!
Ohhhh lord what have I done to myself?
Anyone out there up for the challenge?
Steve

[Wild Orchid]

You have a very touching story and certinaly will find a crowd of like-minded folks here.

Now, back to business.
Below is the link that provides lots of information for a starter.

I'm afraid there's a need to tell you that your orchids need to be unpotted and examined ASAP.
I killed my first few beauties by just sitting and gazing at them, and yes, by just watching new buds opening.... By the time I've learned that orchids' overall health is not reflected in the flowers, it was too late - all roots were rotted and practically gone.....

Some of us who's been through this heart break, learned to repot immediately, literally moments after bringing the plant home and taking the shoes off.

I hope you have strong enough plants that still have lots of vitality and that they would recover from all the life bumps and continue living and eventually blooming. Here's the link.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

Best of wishes to you and your new green family!

And

Lilia

[shaelyn]

bwahahaha Steve, I don't know, you've started something mad. ooooooh I could dress them up so they look like they belong in Wonderland...and deck out the rest of the apartment to match...

Lilia, thank you. I've been debating back and forth whether or not to repot the white one right away, though for other reasons (the roots are out of hand - they've all crowded at the top and are spilling out instead of digging deeper.) regardless, you've confirmed what my inner gut's been urging me to do, and I appreciate it.

I've skimmed some of that thread already...but it is very long...I will read it more thoroughly and take notes, it does seem to have a lot of good information.

and happy new year to all

[cbuchman]

Welcome! We're all addicted and the OB is part of the addiction.

[Phalchid]

Welcome to OB. A real pleasure to find like minded folks with the same addiction! And Happy New Year too!