Orchid Amateur, Group Newbie

[lotis146]

Hello everyone!

I am new to this forum and fairly new to the "hobby" of keeping Orchids. I've always been drawn to Orchids but never could keep them alive. Then 4+ years ago I was given a mini Phalaenopsis and just when I thought I killed it I actually kept it alive! I took a special interest in caring for it even then when I knew next to nothing.

Now I'm a lot more interested in taking this on as a hobby even if I'm in desperate need of some more education as my number one reason for joining here is because of the worrisome state of my current very small collection (which I'll save for the right discussion).

At present I have one mini Phal., one Paphiopedilum, and 2 Phals (just got a second on impulse this weekend), one of which has twin keikis (yes they grew from the same node) that are over a year old now and in desperate need of potting (I'm worried for them).

My goals over the course of this year are - among other things - to up my knowledge of Orchids, revive/save my current collection, and possibly add another. I'm so excited to pot my keikis now that I have more confidence about doing it. Meanwhile I plan to keep a diary (for myself) of my Orchid progress and activities.

Btw, the Phal. I bought at a shopping center (oh yes I did), which I was immediately taken by because of its deep violet cover (the only one in the bunch) has been "dyed" using a patented process of dye injection. 'Sigh'. Nothing wrong with white flowers, but after these die, they will not be violet next time. Oh well...

Cheers!
Lotis