Newbie Intro

[birdybrain]

Hi!

I'm new to orchids, getting my first 20+ phals & dens from the clearance rack at Lowes in varying states of health in Sept 2012. I always thought orchids were difficult, but figured I couldn't go wrong and could learn a lot for just a little money. I bought so many at one time thinking some surely wouldn't make it since I really didn't know what I was doing. Well, orchids are tough little plants! I still have 3 in "orchid ICU", but I haven't lost a one yet. I'm up to a total of about 30 orchids now.

I haven't really settled on any one method of growing orchids yet. I have several in self watering pots, a couple in bark, and several that I've moved over to semi-hydroponics. All of these methods seem to be working for me, though a couple orchids that I moved to semi-hydro are struggling just a bit.

Overall I've found orchids are super easy to grow and very rewarding! Knowing this now, I wish I hadn't jumped in with all these clearance orchids and I hope to give some away eventually to make room for a few different species. I'm always finding orchids I'd like to add to my collection! Especially after just attending the Missouri Botanical Gardens orchid show last weekend!

I've learned a ton from this forum over the last several months. So now I'm here to say HI!, thank everyone for an awesome forum and learn even more over the months to come!