Accidental orchid addiction

[Bluelynx]

I remember when I was a kid back in Tassie and walking with my uncle. We found these tiny flowers growing wild, my uncle called them "bush orchids". I remember thinking it was the most beautiful flower I had ever seen.

Fast forward to two years ago, and one of my colleagues gives me a white orchid for Christmas. I'm not great with plants, and I've heard orchids are pretty hard to keep alive. I put the plant on my windowsill, and hope my colleague won't be offended when it inevitably dies.

Except it doesn't. It thrives. I was given another orchid last Christmas by another colleague, and then last week yet another colleague brought in a miniature orchid that she thinks will die if she keeps it and gave it to me.

So now I have three... and a sudden craving for more. I have two phalaenopsis, and one that looks like the phalaenopsis but is tiny, the tag says its a "Tea Cup Orchid". I am looking forward to learning more about these beautiful plants, expanding my collection, and perhaps meeting some fellow addicts

I do have a question to start out - my local grocery store has some orchids that are vibrant blue in colour. Are there really bright blue orchids or are these likely dyed somehow?

[cbuchman]

Welcome to the OB!

Blue Phals are dyed and will re-bloom white. You can find lots about them elsewhere on the OB (just use search).

The tea cup orchid is probably a tea cup phal. Treat it the same as it bigger cousins.

Sounds like you're a natural since orchid generally thrive on a certain level of neglect .

[lotis146]

Originally Posted by Bluelynx

I remember when I was a kid back in Tassie and walking with my uncle. We found these tiny flowers growing wild, my uncle called them "bush orchids". I remember thinking it was the most beautiful flower I had ever seen.

Fast forward to two years ago, and one of my colleagues gives me a white orchid for Christmas. I'm not great with plants, and I've heard orchids are pretty hard to keep alive. I put the plant on my windowsill, and hope my colleague won't be offended when it inevitably dies.

Except it doesn't. It thrives. I was given another orchid last Christmas by another colleague, and then last week yet another colleague brought in a miniature orchid that she thinks will die if she keeps it and gave it to me.

So now I have three... and a sudden craving for more. I have two phalaenopsis, and one that looks like the phalaenopsis but is tiny, the tag says its a "Tea Cup Orchid". I am looking forward to learning more about these beautiful plants, expanding my collection, and perhaps meeting some fellow addicts

I do have a question to start out - my local grocery store has some orchids that are vibrant blue in colour. Are there really bright blue orchids or are these likely dyed somehow?

Good job getting started! I'm a newbie too but I started out killing them from over-watering (apparently most common way to kill them), managed to save my mini and that bonded me to it and grew my interest in taking better care of it. I feel just like you, have others now and am craving more!!!

I will say my latest buy from the grocery store was a deep blue/violet color I bought it for this reason and as it turns out it's died. Check along the stem for any drips of dye, and "wounds" that may be covered with wax. That's what mine has.


Best to you and your Orchids!
Lotis

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

Sounds like you are a natural

Yes the blue ones are dyed, I think with a silver compound in the stem. I think the tea cup orchid is a phal as well, not sure but there are some tiny phals about.

[vmax3000]

Say goodbye to any extra income!! Welcome to OB! Who are your colleagues? I want to work there, too...add to my collection!

[nikkik]

My addiction was accidental too! I always say, "I'm not a plant person". Yet, I have a collection well over a hundred (I stopped counting because it's easier to deny that I may have a problem). It all started with one orchid from T.J.s that decided to rebloom!

Welcome to the orchidboard! I look forward to watching your collection grow.

[Daethen]

Welcome to the OB. We do solemnly swear to feed your addiction until you are as cramped for space as the rest of it. There is no cure for this addiction so sit back and enjoy the ride.

[OCRC_Dir_China]

Welcome to the Orchid Board from the OCRC in China.

Orchids are addictive; take it from someone who was bitten over 45 years ago.

[WhiteRabbit]

[Osmithy]

Seems like a fun thing to be addicted to. I may soon be as well!