Hi!
I could say I'm a rookie so I'm really here to learn!
I started with orchids about 4 years ago out of a selfish need - I use to be a total outdoor gardener and had all kinds of flowers all over the yard - Then I developed a severe fire ant allergy and almost died! Well, the doc said no more gardening because those little buggers can be anywhere and can have colonies where you won't know they are there.
Well, there went my hobby! So I built a screened in porch on my house and I had one cattleya that I put on the porch in the summer and moved to a huge bay window for winter! It bloomed and bloomed! OK, then I was hooked! I didn't have to drop my love of plants I just had to move my attention to a saver location!
My collection consists of mostly Cattleyas because they "fit" my natural light and they fit my growing habits.