So, I finally joined AOS!

[Royal]

Although I've been growing orchids for about 8 years now, I have never really had the inclination to join a society. There have been discussions on this board about the AOS and I understand that there are varying opinions about its usefulness. I think I can understand the negative view a little, orchid-growing is a really variable activity and it would be impossible to accommodate all of the niche growers with one publication.

Finding this forum has expanded my horizons (and my collection ), and I now have species I had never even heard of a year ago! There is soooo much out there to learn, and I live in an orchid black hole. You know it's bad when you've read through your only orchid book so many times that you move on to old catalogs just to stare at newer pictures! I have nobody locally (that I know of) to trade with or just talk orchids. No local society, no shows within a few hours drive. What's an orchid freak to do? Well, at least I'll get a magazine with a few neat pictures.