Haraella retrocalla (Project 8 - Spring 2009)

[cb977]

Originally Posted by gixrj18

But what is the difference between a plant that arrives in spike, and a plant that spikes a week or two after arrival? Either way you chalk it up.....it's not really your bloom. In the past projects, if it bloomed within a month or so from the time you received it, YOU DIDN"T MAKE IT BLOOM.....THE PERSON YOU BOUGHT IT FROM DID! This is the way we have always done it. I mean, I'll give the prize plants to whoever everybody agrees is the winner, but I was assuming that it worked the same as the past. If you have had your plant less than 4-6 weeks, rest assured.....you did not make it bloom! Just my

Exactly!

This is such a wacky situation...as an example, some of the mystery project plants arrived in bud or spike and have NEVER been out of bloom! Is that from the original grower or the OB grower?

We have to just roll with the punches but I say Jasen's statement works well

[Cassia]

OK, I have now read through this entire thread trying to understand the contest . . . Would you help a newbie understand? I have this much figured out:

You have to get a young Haraella retrocalla from Oak Hill Gardens and get it to bloom. If it blooms within the first couple of months, you didn't get it to bloom--it was already getting ready to bloom because Oak Hill Gardens took such good care of it. So then you have to get it to bloom again.

Are these the "rules" of the contest? You all choose a particular orchid, buy it from a specified place, and get it to bloom on your own? How did you choose the orchid? The orchid grower from which to buy?

This looks like sooooo much fun!

[whygreenberg]

Originally Posted by cb977

Okay, I'm gonna step in here with my

The OB Projects are called "Projects" and not "Contests" exactly because of what's being tossed around in this thread. Dave and Jasen were kind enough to make such a splendid offer but that is just a fringe benefit of the true purpose of the "PROJECT". It's not supposed to be about getting a prize, it's about learning how to get the plant to bloom

Let's not push them into regretting doing such a nice thing for us

My thoughts exactly, Sue. Thanks for being so articulate. It's this kind of group learning experience that makes the OB such a wonderful place.

[boytjie]

Originally Posted by whygreenberg

My thoughts exactly, Sue. Thanks for being so articulate. It's this kind of group learning experience that makes the OB such a wonderful place.

:iagree:

[Cassia]

Oh, I'm sorry! I was going by the thread title, but now I realize that "Project 09" is more important than the "contest" portion of the title. I did see the discussion about comparing growth & blooming of mounted versus potted specimens and sharing info gained during the project, so I knew that that would be important, too.

I mainly want to make sure I understand the rules for this group project correctly.

[Royal]

Originally Posted by Cassia

OK, I have now read through this entire thread trying to understand the contest . . . Would you help a newbie understand?

Hey Cassia,

Yeah, these projects are fun. This is only my second one, but it's a good excuse to order a new plant.

Just to be clear, it is a project and not a contest, as stated. The "prize" is just a new added bonus by a few generous OB members. This place is great and our members are the best! There aren't any real "rules" but merely an agreed upon framework - what plant, what size, where to buy it, etc. It's getting harder and harder for our great moderators to coordinate everything with all of the international members, but the more that participate the more we can potentially learn. That's the main objective - to learn (and buy plants).

[cb977]

Originally Posted by Cassia

OK, I have now read through this entire thread trying to understand the contest . . . Would you help a newbie understand? I have this much figured out:

You have to get a young Haraella retrocalla from Oak Hill Gardens and get it to bloom. If it blooms within the first couple of months, you didn't get it to bloom--it was already getting ready to bloom because Oak Hill Gardens took such good care of it. So then you have to get it to bloom again.

Are these the "rules" of the contest? You all choose a particular orchid, buy it from a specified place, and get it to bloom on your own? How did you choose the orchid? The orchid grower from which to buy?

This looks like sooooo much fun!

Hi Cassia

I haven't updated this link but it will give you a closer look at what we've done in the past:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-projects.html

It's lots of fun and a great way to learn.

[flhiker]

Sorry for all the confusion on the contest. As Sue said this is really not about the contest but more about the project. I figured that it would give people more reason to post progress and growing conditions if a prize where offered. I was under the impression that these bloomed in the winter according to ISOPE. having said that I was thinking that if your plant didn't come in spike that it probably wouldn't till then. Of course that's not the case. But I had already set the rules and don't want to change it for the people who have been waiting for there new spikes to bloom. So I figure that the only way to correct it is to offer the second prize to the one's who can get theres to SPIKE and Bloom after Sept. 1.
Please remember it's not about the prize as much as it is the learning experience. So enjoy growing your little gem and hope they do well for all.

Turely Sorry for the screw up Jasen.

[Royal]

Originally Posted by shadytrake

I was under the impression that as long as the plant did not have spikes originally (in the posted picture at arrival) then we were in the running.

This is what I thought too.

[flhiker]

If your plant did not arrive in spike you are still in the running for MY prize. I can't speak for Jasen.