Hello from Michigan

[Mountaineer370]

Hello, everyone! I've been browsing the Orchid Board for some time now, soaking up all the information I can, and decided it was time to join and introduce myself.

I am a newcomer to owning orchids. I was introduced to them when I got one as a get-well gift during a hospital stay almost two years ago. It was, as you can guess, one of those NOID Phals that comes with instructions to water with ice. That is what I did for the first few months, but putting ice on a plant native to the tropics never felt right to me. Thankfully, I did some research and ditched that method once and for all.

I've come to my love of orchids a bit later in life than many of you. Though I have owned other houseplants and always enjoyed having that living greenery in the home, I was always under the impression that orchids were complicated, fussy, delicate, and difficult plants, best left to professionals or others with advanced education and training. (And some days, I still believe that!)

But when I did not kill my Phal and when it actually rebloomed for me the following spring (although it had very stunted spikes -- a topic for another thread), I was encouraged, and I now own six orchids. Believe me, I would like a lot more, but I have a serious lack of suitable space in my home.

I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you better and learning as much as I can!

[jkofferdahl]

It's good to have you here and I'll look forward to your future posts!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board, and glad you recovered!

[No-Pro-mwa]

Glad you finally decided to join in all the fun, welcome. I will look forward to seeing your orchids.

[Dollythehun]

Well, many of us are older and probably came to orchids late in life, so welcome! As to space, miniatures are the answer, as is going vertical! You'll enjoy the OB.

[Cheddarbob14]

Scared to ask, did you get your power back?

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Well, many of us are older and probably came to orchids late in life, so welcome! As to space, miniatures are the answer, as is going vertical! You'll enjoy the OB.

Never have truer words been said! My mini area is under a 4-foot bank of 4 T5 lamps, and the area in use is about 2 feet by 3 feet. I've been able to fit about 40 fully-grown miniatures in there; it's tight but if necessary I can squeeze one or two more in. They're really delightful plants!

[Dollythehun]

Well, our power has been on. I think it was the OP and someone else. However, Chicago's best weather guessers say we are in for quite a storm tonight and tomorrow. Hopefully only snow and no ice or wind.

[Cheddarbob14]

Oops, sorry, meant to quote OP with the power question

[PaphLover]

Look forward to your posts.