Here to stop the insanity

[RJSquirrel]

we dont stop insanity here, we enable it

Welcome and good luck a'


I wish i still had some pictures of how I started off in a tiny bedroom closet.
4 years later I've moved 3 times and I keep trying to fill up my8 x 6 hothouse with more orchids. I just love em!!

[kindrag23]

Welcome Welcome, don't worry we have all killed an orchid or two .....or a few dozen....over the years. We have all had to start at some point. You could post pics of the leaves and I am sure someone on here could help you identify them.

Welcome and explore the boards

Since you have phal's check out the beginners board and the sticky ...the phal abuse ends here.... It has lots of good info. There are other boards specifically for the plants you have as well.

Ask any questions you may have, everyone does their best to answer and usually they are FABULOUS answers.

---------- Post added at 08:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:09 PM ----------

O and the above post is correct we encourage orchiditis around here.
:

[Kokothefirst]

Thanks! Ok, here we go!
Look forward to identifying these bad boys.

[Kevin_PR]

Originally Posted by Kokothefirst

I was mostly killing hardware store plants with ignorance. Lots of direct sunlight and plenty of water is the key to success with any plant, isn't it?

Well actually, no, especially with orchids. Direct sun can kill some orchids and too much water at the wrong time can kill a plant or prevent blooming. HAHA too late your already hooked, no turning back now. You should go to the Orchid boards care sheets it'll give you basic knowledge of what most hardware store orchids need. http://www.orchidboard.com/community...chid-care.html

[Kokothefirst]

Thanks! Needless to say, I learned that lesson. Having far better success lately. Look forward to learning more about some of the more exotic varieties.

[brn_thmbs]

Hi
not many Phaius growers among us... never seen a baby... I'm in Boston & just about to wrap up my first full season. took a bold step & summered mine outside & wooh they took off! can get VERY windy (I'm right on the harbor) so there was the occasional ohshnitz! but everyone made it through & I have 2 large new growths on my Phaius & one I just noticed poking up. here's to hoping the summer outside provides me some happy colors in the months to come (I won't go any further than that acknowledging the impending onslaught that is the dark cold never-ending New England winter...)
hope you find out lots about your orchids & enjoy them more & more
and don't worry, she'll come around (my wife did as long as I don't take up her grow spaces )

[RJSquirrel]

your 1st plant is a big cattleya. Probably a Blc.
2nd one looks to me to be an Epicattleya of some sort or a Bc cross.
3rd one seems to be a Beallara.

If they dont have tags they are Noids. (No Id's)

you got to be real good with the catts and epicatts to grow them successfully in moss.

The Oncidium or Beallara should do fine in it.

All of them need the same very good bright light but NO direct sun ever ever ever.

Now go buy some more with tags on them and you tell us what they are next time

[Kokothefirst]

Brilliant! Thanks for the insight. I've had some great success with these 3 so far, and they're pushing some good looking new growth as we speak.
Thanks for the warm welcome all. And I hear you re: new England winter. Already dreading what's to come here in South west Ontario.

[POLKA]

KOKO
Rjsqirrel seems pretty close.

The first two are types of Cattleya. The first, the bi-foliate thing, and the second will need to become dry before watering again. Growing in moss will take diligence to keep from watering until the top couple of inches are dry -- once a week, or less (in the house). Keep your humidity up.

The oncidium intergeneric (they thought it was a Beallara, and it might be, but I've got oncidiums that look very similar in growth habbit) can be a bit more moist, and they like moss better too for that same reason. The More light you give them, the more humidity you will need to provide too.

I think you're getting the handle on this. Have fun, ask questions, be careful, join a local society, etc.

Take care
Rex
may all your orchids bloom like crazy!

[Kokothefirst]

RJsquirrel nailed it with Beallara. Have found photo's, and it's Beallara Marfitch "Howards Dream". Love this plant.

I'm utlizing wooden skewers to determine when each plant requires water, and as I say, so far so good. Strong new growth coming. I find it interesting how much care suggestions for each variety differ based on who you speak with. The fellow I purchased these 3 in particular from actually recommended summering outside. As I say, great success.

We've had another comment from someone in this thread about Phaius, and summering it outside. The greenhouse I purchased from indicated this is a swamp floor dwellening plant, and it should stay damp and never see bright direct sunlight. Very interesting.