Hello from England

[Grey]

Hello there! My name is Rachel, although I'm also known as "Grey". I'm a 21 year old from England who has been keeping a small number of orchids for around 3 1/2 years. It started after I was given a lovely Phalaenopsis for my 18th birthday; the flowers were blue upon purchase but it has since turned white, I was unaware it was dyed back then. I just love the white flowers, though!

I currently have 5 Phals; 4 of them were from Homebase, so I don't know their exact identification, but the other is a Phal. kolibri; I also have an Oncidium "jungle monarch" that, admittedly, is not doing as well as I would like.

Over late winter/early spring, all of my orchids burst into growth and produced quite a number of new leaves and roots, which I am thrilled about; unfortunately this has led to three of them becoming top heavy so they are in now need of repotting. I'm a bit nervous about it. I'll be doing a lot of reading before hand. I'm also keen to repot my Oncidium because it really isn't looking so good, I'm sure anything would help at this point.

I also grow carnivorous plants, having specialized in Mexican Pinguicula (butterworts) for approaching four years, though I'm very fond of Utricularia as well. I thoroughly enjoy creative writing, particularly poetry, and singing, and I'm a devoted Christian.

I've been physically unwell for a number of years and have found growing a variety of plants to be an immense gift; I've learned so much through this hobby and hope that continues long into the future. I look forward to meeting you all and getting involved, may you be blessed!

[RandomGemini]

Post some pics of the Oncidium? These are not really big fans of being repotted. They can sulk afterwards, so repotting is not always the best medicine for then.

Welcome to OB!!

[tarev]

Hello Rachel! Welcome Aboard!

I also grow Pinguiculas! Lovely to see you here!

When you are ready to repot, just start a new thread and throw in all your questions..we will try to help you out

[Leafmite]

Hello and welcome!

[lexusnexus]

Welcome to the boards, Grey. Nice to have a fellow plant and orchid lover. I, too, have some physical issues. I'm now permanently disabled from some surgery that went awry. I have a few hobbies that provide solice to pain, and some rehab. This is one of them. When you get the required 5 posts please post pictures. We do love our pictures.

[WhiteRabbit]

[Grey]

Thank you all for your lovely welcomes. I'll be sure to post photos of the Oncidium (and other plants!) once I'm able. It was doing really well for a while, developed a little baby plantlet and put out some healthy new leaves... but is now declining. I've moved it back to my window, where it seemed to do best, so we'll see how it does in the meantime.

I'm sorry to read about the incident, lexusnexus, I am very glad that you have some hobbies that bring you joy!

Thanks again for all your kindness, I'll definitely see to posting any questions later.

[CeilidhTime]

Welcome Grey

It seems there are a number of folks here that find plants are a balm for their pain, myself included. Plants are one of my escapes from Crohn's Disease. After spending time with my plants I feel refreshed and relaxed at the same time. Little everyday miracles they are.

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board from another Brit, I'm in the Midlands