What did you learn in 08?

[camille1585]

This is a great thread!! I learned lots of things too in the last year, when it comes to orchids.

1) Burr Nelly Isler does not like me me, 3 successive ones commited suicide!
2) Neos are the best orchids on the planet
2a) You can never have enough Neos
3) Grow lights really help
4)Orchid shows are really fun (went to my first one in October)
5) I discovered that mounted orchids are not really as difficult as I thought, and now have 4 of them. In fact they are the easiest orchids to care for, although they need daily attention. In 2009, I will get more!
6) Orchidwiz is the best thing ever
7) Don't talk about orchids to family members (or leave any in their care), they really don't care about what I say, and never get excited about spikes.
8) Orchids don't mind travelling back and forth several times in a year from Lyon to the Netherlands, be it by plane, train or car, summer or winter. They just don't care.

So what about 2009?
*I decided that it's time for me to try a Paph, even though I'm worried about killing it.
*I will try one last time to not kill a Burr Nelly Isler, I'm too addicted to its fragrance to give up trying to grow it.
*I need more grow lights, the orchids love them.
*I need more Neos and can't wait for spring shopping.
* I will try again to get my stubborn, space hogging Cym to finally rebloom.

[luckygrower]

1. I learned that I have a obsessive compultion addiction to orchids. Still trying to decided if that is good or bad, GOOD

2.I've learned that I'm a Neo fanatic

3.I've learned how to keep my orchids alive and how to doctor the ones that are sick.

4. I have learned how to take good photos of my orchids and I hope to learn much more so that some day I might have a photo good enough for the calander.

5.Best ot all I have learned that I have great friends on the Orchid board.

[cb977]

Great thoughts folks...thanks for starting this thread, mehitabel

I've learned that Paphs do not like it here
I've learned that checking out my orchid collection is the most relaxing thing I've ever done!
I've learned that my husband has given up on asking "will it ever end?"
I've learned that you can actually consider people you've never met very good friends

and on a non-orchid point:
I've learned that life is too short for petty nonsense.
I've learned that my Dad was right: "It's nice to be nice"

and I've learned that I am totally addicted to Orchidboard!

[quiltergal]

Wow, I've learned a lot of things this year.

1. Just because someone tells you a plant won't grow well or bloom in your conditions doesn't make it so. Try it anyway. You may get the surprise of your life!

2. I've learned that mounted plants will not die under my care. They actually do quite well. I'm not ready for the time committment required for lots of them yet.

3. I've developed a more discerning eye. I'm looking at my collection wondering what I can edit out that no longer gives me a giant thrill when it blooms.

4. That Masdavallias will grow and rebloom for me.

5. That I never would have learned any of this stuff if it weren't for Orchid Board and all you generous folks who freely give excellent advice and information. Thanks!!!

[dounoharm]

oh my...what have i learned this year?

i learned that i CAN forgive the unforgiveable....

and that nothing is unforgiveable...

[shakkai]

Since this thread seems to have died down now (and I have to wait a while until the house warms up enough to water the 'chid today!) I wanted to comment on some of the thoughts people have posted. There is so much good stuff here, but these are some of the things that really struck me...

Originally Posted by Ross

I learned that orchids don't last forever. Some seem to have a life span of a couple years. Haraella is one that just outgrows a mount and finally secumbs to algae, and old age. No wonder, when it is in constant bloom.

Ross, I loved your post - so much great wisdom in so much of what you say. This one struck me as out of sync with the others, though. I agree that a plant can exhaust itself, if we allow it to. In nature, even in tropical countries, there always seems to be a 'rest period' where a plant rebuilds its strength. Do you think that part of taking care of our plants, its our responsibility to make sure they have this rest? I know that might sound like a contradiction - after all, a happy plant is a blooming plant, and it wouldn't bloom if it weren't happy with the care you're giving it - but perhaps an enforced 'rest' (however that is achieved) would be what is needed? I remember at one point people saying that Sedirea were short lived plants in cultivation, and one theory I read somewhere of the reason for that was that they were not given a rest period with lower temps, reduced water, less/no fertilizer for a period of a couple months a year. With my growing conditions, I sometimes think that my plant get too much rest... but that is a whole 'nother post!

Originally Posted by Ross

Orchid growing will be what I make of it. I have learned that there is equipment to be purchased. I have learned that there will be stuff to be replaced. Best of all, I have learned that the hobby is really a process.

Very well said! I definitely agree! And each part of this whole thing is important and adds to the enjoyment of growing orchids!

Originally Posted by Ross

Orchid growing isn't so much what I learned in 2008, but, have I continued to learn while growing orchids? Not just my plants, but about nature, about cultural needs in general, about growing conditions across the globe (amongst other members)? This board has facilitated my growth in ways I never would have imagined. Before (or without) Orchidboard, I would never have accumulated knowledge like I did here. I just thank you all for the challenges, the growing projects, the enabling , the ideas, putting up with my weather gripes , the enabling, the education and opinions expressed by other, more knowledgable growers (worldwide), and the support the board is famous for.

I think I've been falling down of the job of "chief enabler" - hopefully, some of the odder things that I have picked up in the past year will start flowering this Spring, and there might be something to tempt you! I really value your opinion, so I know I am onto a winner when you like something I show enough to consider buying one yourself!

Originally Posted by Ross

This is what I learned in 2008. Thanks for reading this.

Thanks for all of the great times in 2008!

Originally Posted by Amanda L

I learned that I get excited about pots, tree bark and charcoal. I learned that there are many more different kinds of orchids than I thought. I learned that I want them all! I learned that I get excited about new root growth.

Amanda, I think that these are of the most addictive parts of orchid growing! Everything, from new roots, new growths, new leaves, the pots, the growing media - everything that is involved and happens with these plants is fascinating. Keep looking at things this way, and you will have a hobby to enjoy for the rest of your life!

Originally Posted by Amanda L

Most of all I hope to have LOTS MORE ORCHIDS!!

I hope you do too! (And I know, without a doubt, that this will be true!)

Originally Posted by Jerry Delaney

!
6. That you can never have enough knowledge about culture for the various orchids you have growing.

So true! And a constant search for more information yields so many fascinating facts and ideas. It is amazing just how far these little plants can take us!

Originally Posted by Jerry Delaney

9. That people who grow orchids are the most caring and supportive people in the world.
10. The people here on Orchid Board are the cream of the crop of #9!!

Amen to that!

Originally Posted by cb977

I've learned that checking out my orchid collection is the most relaxing thing I've ever done!

Originally Posted by kiki-do

3) Orchids are very very time consuming! But I can't think of anything that gives me so much pleasure as tending these beauties! (Well, I know what you all must be thinking, but we won't go there, right? )

In spite of what everyone must think, I couldn't agree more! I am now limited by time, I think, but I can't imagine spending my time on anything else that would give me more peace, satisfaction and pleasure.

Originally Posted by quiltergal

3. I've developed a more discerning eye. I'm looking at my collection wondering what I can edit out that no longer gives me a giant thrill when it blooms.

Terri, I would love to hear more about this! I am probably in exactly the same place - upgrading rather than expanding, is how I look at it. I'd love to know what you decide, and the reasons behind the decision. I know a lot comes down to personal taste (though I do think we have quite similar tastes) but I'm afraid that if I don't have some kind of criteria for what to keep and what to get rid of, I'll just end up not getting rid of anything!

Originally Posted by cb977

I've learned that my husband has given up on asking "will it ever end?"

How long does this take, Sue?!? I'm still waiting!

Originally Posted by cb977

I've learned that you can actually consider people you've never met very good friends

Isn't it amazing? Sometimes people look at me funny when I talk about 'someone I know from the forum' because they believe that you can't really know someone unless you know them face to face. I know that may be true in some circumstances, but I don't think it applies completely, all of the time. And I think that this forum is very special because it allows this to happen!

Originally Posted by camille1585

2) Neos are the best orchids on the planet
2a) You can never have enough Neos

Originally Posted by luckygrower

2.I've learned that I'm a Neo fanatic

Yeah, Neos!!! I can't wait until Spring and bloom season starts! 2009 is going to be great!!

[goodgollymissmolly]

I learned to spend every cent you have on orchids because even if they don't last forever (not sure I agree with that), they last longer than that same money in the stock market.