Saludos from Chicago!

[BellaOrquidea]

Hello Everybody! My name is Pam from Chicago, IL

I remember the moment as if it was yesterday. I was leaving Whole Foods after doing my groceries and there she was...standing tall and proud of that amazing color display. My first phalaenopsis was waiting for me to bring her home.
I enjoyed the colorful flowers for what I recall to be the longest months; given that my husband gifts me phals. For valentines every year, but for one reason or another I always end up killing them. This one was different I could tell.
Immediately after I purchase this Phal. At the store I began to read articles and watch YouTube videos about Phal. Orchid care. And not long after I brought a second one and that was the beginning of my orchid addiction.

Here I am today with close to 30 different orchids & joining this orchid forum with the hopes of finding helpful advice on rescuing an “as is” Cattleya I purchased recently from an online store. I’m happy to have joined and can’t wait to meet everyone and learn and share some of our orchid experience.

[Dollythehun]

Well, Pam, you are practically my neighbor! And so close to Hausermann's! You'll learn a lot here and, no doubt, contribute a lot! So welcome, welcome, welcome,!

[BellaOrquidea]

Hauserman and Natts both! I’m not ashamed to say that the staff at Hauserman already know me!

[DeaC]

Hey there! Photos are always welcome as are you.

[Dollythehun]

Do you like Matt's? Is it worth the trip? Cause 'ya know IKEA is on the way to Hausermann's (for me).

[BellaOrquidea]

Natt’s is not nearly as big as Hausemann’s so their variety is much more smaller. They do, however have more Vandas than I could ever find at Hausemann’s. Natts is only 15 mins away from me whereas Hausermann’s is 35 mins.
I’ve purchased from Hausemann’s and sadly my orchids came back with mealybugs. I didn’t know what to look for at the time I purchased them so maybe if I had known I would have picked one with no sap on it, who knows though those little fussy things hide anywhere.

I haven’t purchased anything from Natt’s. I remember when I went last, their green house was scorching hot and some of their plants were dehydrated and the place looked very untidy for my liking so I decided not to get anything. They did mention that the AOS group meets there at times and many, many award ribbons where proudly displayed at the front. They bring new stuff from a vendor somewhere in Asia but the price reflect this and so does the quality.

[Leafmite]

Hello and welcome!
It is great to have you here.

[BellaOrquidea]

Hi! Thank you!

[rbarata]

Welcome Pam.

[Runwayman134]

I was always scared of killing them too, but now I have no choice because I have inherited one, and I am determined to keep it alive. Hopefully you can help since you so many. Welcome!