Let's get something straight!

[ponderingjunkman]

I'm having a grand time with orchids! And I have already learned how to better take care of them from what I have read here- thanks!!

But I need to get something straight- I'm not a "flower guy"! I own a machine shop. I have built functional engines from bar stock. Precision parts I have made are all around the planet. I also do masonry work with my still tough as nails father. We cut firewood today with a buzz saw on the front of a restored 1940 John Deere B tractor. I built a splitter. We drank beer afterward from my home made keg system. My dad and I still try and gross each other out by passing gas. My wife is a cool gal that puts up with us! So I built her a greenhouse. It has power and running water, trenched in during construction. Used brick and real glass, and we hang around in there alot! That's why I became interested in orchids! So we can do stuff in the greenhouse together! Not that I'm a "flower guy". I have been a motor head since I could walk. Earliest memories were of me and dad in the garage playing with lawn mower engines. Dirt bikes and ATVS came soon after. I have trophies from sanctioned races! We are part of an atv club in the northern adirondacks. There are native lady slipper orchids up there! I didn't disturb them. The rocks in the adirondacks are cooler than here in the catskills, so I brought some home. In the back of my cummins diesel pickup, with a 6 speed manual transmission. It has an exhaust brake! Hauled lots of brick for the greenhouse in it! We have been married 20 years, she seems happy. We left the wedding on my '78 KZ1000, which I bored out to 1105cc, myself. Our old house has a decent sunroom, which the orchids seem to like. I cut the grass with a locke triplex reel mower. Real men use reel mowers! There are several gardens, and orchids mostly purchased from big box stores, and trader joes. Some have died, but most are surviving! I hope to branch out (get it?) Into more than phals. When that step is taken, I'll be here for advice! So, while I'm not a "flower guy", I'm sure diggin (get it?)these beautiful orchids!

[Roberta]

With your engineering and construction skills, you have the ability to do spectacular things with orchids. Once you start coming up with environments to keep the amazing variety of orchids happy, you will be hopelessly hooked... Orchids come from every continent except Antarctica, and from every elevation from sea level to above tree line. It is possible to create environments for most of them... with sufficient research, effort, land and of course money. Welcome to orchids, and a lifetime of learning. Pretty flowers are only the start (the "gateway drugs") There is SOOOOO much more.

[charlesf6]

I hear you, man!

[Dollythehun]

You and Ray are going to be great friends! Welcome to the OB! (FWIW, I'm slightly miffed that my husband got a new car instead of me getting a new truck).

[Mountaineer370]

Hello and welcome to the board! I really enjoyed your entertaining and humorous post this morning! It does seem that the hobby of growing and appreciating orchids attracts a very wide variety of people. Don't worry, your manly man creds are safe here. Orchids don't discriminate. They love all kinds of people. Of course, that's not to say that they don't like some growing environments better than others.

Oh, and by the way, I'm a female, and in addition to orchids, I also love old tractors, good lawn mowers, and pickup trucks (though my flavor of choice is an F250 7.5L HD).

We're glad to have you here. Don't hesitate to post questions when you have them. Best of luck to you and your wife in your orchid hobby.

(Edited to fix a wording mistake.)

[Johndick]

I also love tractors and lawnmowers. I love designing my grass blanket.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

There's no judgement. I've never read anybody call anybody else a sissy or a girly man here just cause some guy likes flowers. I like orchids and I like sports and do guy stuff just like the next guy does.

If anyone else outside any orchid forum says it, who cares? It's their problem not ours.

Welcome to the OB.

[Denver1911]

I’m with ya! I’m a hard core fisherman. I hunt. I am a firearms enthusiast. I am a conservative republican. I served my country in the military. I own a chainsaw, not just a pair of Filson bibs. I’m a mans man. And I like flowers, nice soaps, and pretty things. Own it brother!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

I occasionally remind people real men know how to garden so they can feed their families.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Orchids come from every continent except Antarctica, ....

That point is debatable, from what I understand. Was talking to a long time grower at a show last year when that subject came up. He said that while there are no orchids on the main continent of Antarctica, there are some endemic to islands off Antarctica -- which technically still counts as being "on Antarctica". Never got around to checking into it further, but nifty if true.