Can I ask what type of orchid bark, in particular, you are using? Do you just use straight bark, or do you mix it with something?

I just use straight Miracle Gro orchid bark! Its a very fine bark so the roots don't get enough air to kill them, but they aren't getting water logged like soil does with wick watering. I've found it is a very good compromise!

Here's a couple in bloom at the moment...

Finishing this go-round of blooms...

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ium/AV1_2_.JPG

Just starting a flush of blooms (I really like this one...it glows in the sunlight)

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ium/AV1_1_.jpg

As I was telling a friend yesterday, I just grow them because I like them. And I break a lot of the "rules" for growing AV's the correct way for show quality. But they sure are pretty, and always blooming. Something to enjoy while waiting five months for some of these orchid blooms to actually open. :biggrin:

After this one caught my eye in the grocery store..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/U6...o=w679-h904-no

And I found out about Violet Barn and Minis..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Qp...=w1205-h904-no

Oh, Violet Barn... a favorite cyber stopping place of mine!

---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 AM ----------

I have that first one! Also a grocery store conquer!

you know what....i think you guys are a bad influence on me...i do


weed is not a gateway drug...orchids are
:rofl:

I will NOT get into African Violets!
I will NOT get into African Violets!
I will NOT get into African Violets!
I will NOT get into African Violets!
I will NOT get into African Violets!
I will NOT get into African Violets!
ooooooooh violet barn, you say???? and i can explore it from the couch......:(

As long as you're exploring here's Leafmite's favorite website:

www.logee's.com

What is the attraction to these, vs. other plants? I am trying to understand why there's such a strong following. No offense intended, just curious :)

For me it is because they bloom constantly, have a wide variety of attractive foliage and flowers, are not expensive, are easy to care for, and easy to propagate (to use as gifts).

WaterWitchin~

That blue violet is absolutely stunning! What beautiful flowers and foliage! Now I'll have to be on the lookout for something similar, I'm so in awe!

---------- Post added at 11:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 AM ----------

Clawhammer~

You have a beautiful collection! I'm always checking out violet barn, it's hard to resist buying every single plant!

---------- Post added at 11:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 AM ----------

DirtyCoconuts~

Joint the dark side! African Violets are AMAZING, so beautiful and easy to grow and bloom!

---------- Post added at 11:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:39 AM ----------

Kvet~

I originally got into them because they are such a cheap houseplant to get. Then I started to see how many different hybrids there are out there with various types of foliage shapes and flower shapes and colors. I am also a flower person as opposed to a foliage person, so I am attracted to plants because I enjoy the challenge of getting them to bloom and see flowers. AVs are very easy to bloom, and have such a wide array of bloom types. And did I mention they're cheap?! For a cheap orchid I will spend around $25 and up, but the average AV is less than $10!