Orchid Advice on Facebook

[My Green Pets]

Yes there are pros as well. The Denver Orchid Growers Facebook group has well over 700 members, far more than any AOS-related group. For example, the Boulder Orchid Society that I usually attend has about 5 regular members. And while sometimes newbies chime in with less-than-great advice, they are quickly corrected by more experienced members. And if that makes them angry, then they leave.
I have been thinking about proposing an 'orchids and beers' type get-together at a local brewery or something where people can bring a plant to show off and just chat with other growers. Kind of the opposite of the lengthy, rigid structure of a society meeting. Has anyone done anything like that in their area?

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by My Green Pets

I have been thinking about proposing an 'orchids and beers' type get-together at a local brewery or something where people can bring a plant to show off and just chat with other growers. Kind of the opposite of the lengthy, rigid structure of a society meeting. Has anyone done anything like that in their area?

Our meeting attendance is way down, though membership is still there. People seem still afraid to go out in public.

[Diane56Victor]

Our meetings are well attended.
Still have social distancing and masks and we can't provide tea/coffee and cakes like we did before the pandemic. Although that could change this Sunday as the rules are veing relaxed here.

[estación seca]

Well, our attendance was way up tonight. One of our members spoke to the local Iris society a month ago and four of their members came to our meeting tonight. They all left with orchids to grow.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Well, our attendance was way up tonight.

Good! I'm glad to hear it! Hopefully our March meeting will be well attended also.

[Ray]

I spoke at the Tidewater Orchid Society at the Norfolk Botanical Garden a couple of weeks ago. They've been getting 30-45 people per meeting and had at least three new members that afternoon.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Ray

I spoke at the Tidewater Orchid Society at the Norfolk Botanical Garden a couple of weeks ago. They've been getting 30-45 people per meeting and had at least three new members that afternoon.

I love to hear stuff like this! Maybe 2022 will be a "normal" year after all.

[Mr.Fakename]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

I will give a good example.

If you were to look on german orchid growing forums (germany has the biggest orchidfanbase in europe) you would find that growing in lecca is seriously frowned upon.

All german growers pretty much with a few exceptions believe that lecca is completely unsuited for growing orchids and will criticize anyone heavily for suggesting using it.

On the other hand german growers like to use sawdust as substrate.

No joke. Now you tell me, does that sounds right to you?

---------- Post added at 03:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:32 PM ----------

edit ps: just found a great facebook site I've joined.

185,000 members and it's buzzin.

Much better than here so thx claw. I'd post the link but I'm worried all the bad advice givers from OB will follow ha so sorry, was easy to find through google.

Why didn't I find it sooner?!

That's not a good example, and I'm very confused from the source of that fact.

I'm regularly browsing though German forums such as Lonis Orchideenforum

One of the most popular potting mix they use is Seramis, which is a kind of small, irregular LECA.
They use it pure - or mixed with bark in most cases. You can see it in many threads, contrary to sawdust.


A real good example of bad advice that is given here comes from someone who said wavy Phalaenopsis leaves are a warning sign.

As can be seen here https://twitter.com/planet_orchid/st...85840646127617, here Flickr or here Phalaenopsis venosa, a lot of Phalaenopsis species will naturally have wavy leaves; and indoors it is a sign of a happy, healthy plant.


Let's see how fast that wonderful FB group labels you as 'bad advice giver from OB'.