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  #1  
Old 11-21-2007, 04:58 PM
GlennGibson GlennGibson is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Newbury Park CA
Posts: 9
Default I'm new...

Hi everyone

My name is Glenn. I live in Southern California with my wife. Newbury Park to be exact.

Fifteen minutes from the beach between Los Angles and Santa Barbara Ca.

I found this web site by doing a search for information regarding Cymbidium Tracyanum.

I am relatively new and very inexperienced in growing orchids.

At the age of 13 my interest in orchids blossomed. I saw a small add in the back of a magazine advertising orchids. My mother explained that it was a tropical flower and that could not be grown in Maryland unless you had a greenhouse. Off to the library. To my delight I found, an organization or society for people who liked and grew orchids, the name was the National Orchid Society (????) I called a gentleman who I think was the president of the Society. He invited me to his home to see his collection. My parents took me to visit him on a Saturday afternoon. To my surprise he was growing his orchids in his living room and dining room under natural and artificial light. I was invited to attend their meetings. If I remember correctly they meet at the Smithsonian Institute in the Natural History Museum once a month, this would be about 1958 or 1960. My father drove a taxi cab part time and would drop me off so I could attend the meetings. I recall attending at least two or three. My family moved to San Antonio Texas where I graduated from School. I moved to New York City in 1966 got married in 1978 and moved to Newbury Park Ca in 1979. My interest in orchids rekindled when I was told that I could grow cymbidiums outside. I purchased my first plant from Home Depot garden department. It has bloomed very year since I purchased it about 12 years ago. I never gave it a drop of plant food until last year. A few years ago I had a client who grew cymbidiums out doors under shade cloth. She gave me two or three plants. They have bloomed every year. Last year I read an article in Better Homes and Garden magazine about miniature orchids and they gave the name of a nursery in Santa Barbara that sold them and also specialized in growing orchids outdoors in our area. Last year at this time I purchased about four plants from Santa Barbara Orchid Estates (Santa Barbara Orchid Estate Home Page) Brassolaeliocattleya Momilani Rainbow 'The Gypsy', Den. Hamana Smile, and two Zygopetalum Mackayi (Mackayi x Aussir Quest). All of them are about to bloom with double the flower count this year. In fact the 2 zygopelalum last year had three flower spikes, this year I have nine. I brought them into the living room today because the Santa Anna winds have kicked up. They have a very strong and pleasant fragrance that permeates the whole house. I currently have about 29 plants all of which grow outside. One of which has bloomed two times this year.

As I said earlier I am very inexperienced in growing orchids. I am afraid that I have very little to offer became of my inexperience. In time hopefully this will change and I’ll become a more valuable participant. I look forward to reading your comments in the different forums and sharing with you as I can.

Glenn
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  #2  
Old 11-21-2007, 05:37 PM
Ross Ross is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Zone: 5a
Posts: 9,277
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Wow! Great intro Glenn. At your location you must be able to grow most orchids without a lot of fret. Some of us struggle with temps and end up growing indoors. I am looking forward to your posts and pics.
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  #3  
Old 11-21-2007, 06:12 PM
GreggC GreggC is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Zone: 5a
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Posts: 800
I'm new... Male
Default I was going to say something very similar

you have a great place to grow orchids. Some of the rest of us have to grow them ion basements, in our houses, or possibly in a greenhouse. I gotta say, I wish I had your climate!
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  #4  
Old 11-21-2007, 06:16 PM
quiltergal quiltergal is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Zone: 8b
Location: Southern Oregon
Age: 70
Posts: 6,016
Default

Glenn, it sounds like you have the good orchid JuJu going with so many repeat bloomers. Congrats! Santa Barbara Orchid Estate makes me . They always have something fabulous that I think I can't live without. I lived in SB for 5 years while in college. It would be a wonderful place to grow orchids outside. Alas I now live in hot/cold Oregon, so must grow indoors. Welcome to OB!
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  #5  
Old 11-21-2007, 06:28 PM
GreggC GreggC is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Zone: 5a
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Posts: 800
I'm new... Male
Default Especially their specimen plants

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  #6  
Old 11-21-2007, 06:56 PM
Djarum Black Djarum Black is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Zone: 9b
Location: California
Posts: 806
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Hi Glenn,

Welcome fellow So-Cal orchid grower! Woot!! I am from So-Cal as well, if you couldn't tell

There is lots of information here and if you need help or info please just fire away! Everyone here is really nice and loves to be helpful!
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  #7  
Old 11-21-2007, 07:02 PM
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cb977 cb977 is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Zone: 9a
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 17,222
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Hi Glenn...welcome to Orchidboard

You've given us a wonderful history of your experience with orchids...you are already a valuable member of our community I love the part about your dad dropping you off for the meetings while he was working...that is a wonderful memory to have

We all look forward to hearing more from you and we'd love to see some

If you need help with anything, let us know...one of your new friends will step right up
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  #8  
Old 11-21-2007, 07:39 PM
Lagoon Lagoon is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Zone: 5a
Location: Quebec, Canada
Age: 59
Posts: 5,406
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Great story Glenn, Its good to meet you & welcome to the OB
I hope you enjoy your time here!

Now where are the photo's??
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  #9  
Old 11-21-2007, 07:47 PM
GlennGibson GlennGibson is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Newbury Park CA
Posts: 9
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Hi everyone
Thanks for your warm welcome.

Our climate is moderate. This past winter it got down to 27. In the 28 years we lived in this area it has never been that cold. Needless to say I brought my plants in.

I am trying to navigate my way around the website. How do I post photos? I am having difficulty in finding the right location... help please!

Thanks to all of you.
Glenn
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  #10  
Old 11-21-2007, 09:43 PM
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cb977 cb977 is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Zone: 9a
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 17,222
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Here you go, Glenn...

It's important to resize your pics before uploading them, avoid the aggravation of it not working the first time

Resizing Images...originally posted 6/13/06 by Marty

Thumbnail pics in posts

Gallery Photos

Let us know if you have any trouble
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