What did you learn in 08?

[mehitabel]

Most of us are always learning, tweaking things to try to improve. Any lessons for the rest of us?

I'd like to hear what people learned, bad or good in 08?

After 5 years, I learned that you get and keep much nicer roots if you

1. burn extra holes in the bottom of plastic pots, including aircone pots

2. dip cut ends of roots in powdered rooting hormone instead of cinnamon

3. I can increase the humidity around the orchids in my basement light room by setting them on humidity trays, tho I don't need them there as drip trays. Increases humidity about +30%

4. I was able to confirm that buying new orchids makes my heart smile.

[jkofferdahl]

I learned:

1. I can grow Paphs.
1.a. I now have too many Paphs

2. Seedlings I buy don't die like they did 20 years ago.
2.a. When all of my seedlings reach blooming size I'm going to need a new house.

3. Orchids as a hobby are very expensive.
3.a. My wife likes to pay for groceries and bills.

[Ross]

During 2008 I learned a lot regarding orchids:

I learned Maxillaria variablis is happier outside the tank than inside. It seems to like a steady breeze, cool temps and tolerates lower humidity really well. This has challenged me to try different plants outside to see if they do as well in the shift.

I learned that some Angraecoides will not thrive and bloom outside the tank. Angraecum didieri has bloomed steadily since the move. Before that, notta.

I learned that "warm tolerant" Masd. are just that - "tolerant". They still do better in cool air - really cool night temps.

I learned that I really prefer miniature or small-growing orchids over the larger growing kinds. (This is not really a 2008 thing, but has been reinforced during 2008, so I include it here). It's not the size of the blossoms, because many of the minis have really big blossoms. It's just that I do better with them. As my larger Intergenerics and Brassias slowly secumb to old age, they will get replaced with Paphs and Masdies and Maxillarias and other small stature plants that I really like.

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. Best thing (for me) is to simply replace the ones on the way out. I no longer worry about throwing away a non-performer. I can't wait to add new orchids that I have never grown before. They are a challenge to be met.

Best of all, I learned that raising orchids (while a passion and a lifestyle choice) is something that involves a bit of investment. I learned to be prepared to replace certain plants when they need it. I learned that if money is an issue, then take up a different hobby! 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. It's not at all like gardening or hydroponics (at least to me). Gardening is pretty much a constant. Not much changes, except to replant certain crops. Orchids (however I choose to grow them) are sometimes unpredictable - they sometimes don't follow the rules like, say, lettuce does. With lettuce, you plant, you water, you fertilize, you cut, it grows back, it gets old, you dig it up and replant. With orchids, you purchase, you hope it grows, you apply your best knowledge, you water/fertilize as you have learned to. It may bloom. It may rot. It will certainly respond to your TLC, but may not bloom. They can be tricky. But given enough experience, they will usually respond and do what you had hoped - bloom. No guarantees with most orchids.

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.

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

[cb977]

Well done, Ross

Ditto

[mollycart1]

During 2008, I learned " I can grow Vandas under my current condition in the house" thanks to you all.

I started growing a Vanda using "Vanda in a vase" idea upon reading a thread. Then I collected one, two, three more. So, I ended up building a Vanda house.



You guys are GREAT!

[Amanda L]

In 2008 I learned that when you buy one Phal. you will soon be bitten by the orchid bug and you soon will develop a sickness called orchiditis. The symptoms include: Buying more orchids, turning your extra space into growing space, wanting to try new alliances, buying more orchids, worrying about light, temperature and humidity, stealing lamps from around the house to use as grow lights, and buying more orchids. I learned that there is a wonderful forum with a wealth of information, with wonderful people from all over the world who answer all your questions, talk you down from proverbial ledges, talk you into new orchids, give excellent advice on growing, and most of all a forum that I have made some good friends on. I learned how NOT to water a Phal. I learned patience (to a degree), something you need when you "un-bag" a Catt and find it has no roots, wrinkled leaves and is in over all bad shape. 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. I learned that I will threaten friends to within an inch of their lives if something happens to my orchids and they are responsible! I learned that I may need a second job, to support my new found addiction.
In 2009 I hope to learn that I can actually get my orchids to flower. I hope to learn more about different methods of growing. I hope to learn confidence in my abilities to grow. Most of all I hope to have LOTS MORE ORCHIDS!!

[Jerry Delaney]

1. That a lot of the things I thought I learned about growing orchids over the past 30 years just aren’t so!
2. That it is most likely that it is much easier to teach an old dog new tricks than an old human!
3. The more I learn, the dummer I get!
4. That viewing some of the pictures posted on Orchid Board makes me feel a lot better about my culture.
5. That viewing some of then pictures posted on Orchid Board makes me want to torch my greenhouse!!
6. That you can never have enough knowledge about culture for the various orchids you have growing.
7. That sometimes too MUCH knowledge about growing one of the various orchids you grow leads to growing one less variety!
8. That you soon become an area “expert” on growing orchids because you have already killed the ones that don’t do well for you.
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!!

[shakkai]

This is a great idea for a thread! Thanks for starting this!

What have I learned this year?

1. Never be afraid to try a new plant, new species, new genus - it can lead to wonderful things! In some cases, it opens up whole new worlds of possibilities!

2. However, there is only so much time available, so too many diverse plants with different needs can become unmaintainable. I have decided it is better to focus on quality and not quantity.

3. I learned to really look and focus on the overall picture of the plant, not just the flowers. The leaves, how it is presented, the pot that its in, etc., all contribute to the appreciation of the plant itself.

4. I have learned to work with and not against the natural conditions I have available - and orchids are so wonderfully diverse that there will be a huge variety to fit any niche. I have learned to modify 'common practices' to better suite growing in my climate.

5. I learned to have a lot more patience and appreciation for natural cycles in general. Just as in gardening in a temperate climate, there are natural cycles that it is better to work with than against. There are seasons of root growth, plant growth, blooming and rest. Each has its own place and purpose and cannot be hurried or done away with. I suspect that there is a deeper lesson in this that can be applied to my own life, as things just continually seem to get more hurried and busy.

6. I've learned that the people who grow orchids are some of the best people in the world, and are just as interesting as the plants themselves. And that sharing your successes and failures increases both pleasure and understanding exponentially.

I want to thank everyone here for helping me learn these things! I definitely wouldn't have come so far without all of you, and this forum! Thanks to Marty and all of the Moderators who make this such a fantastic place to be and to learn; and thanks to all of the members who are so willing to share their knowledge and experience

[kiki-do]

Great thread!
I'm only a three year grower, and I've learned some interesting things.
1) Like Jerry said, and this fits me too, The more I learn, I realize how little I actually know.
2) Orchids are a passion, but as Ross said, it's a balancing act of trial and error. So so true!
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? )
4) Orchid growing is a true sickness! I've learned that I have way too many, yet I "need" to have more!
5) People who come visit me don't always want "the tour" and aren't as appreciative of looking at a new spike as I am. Go figure!
6) No one else understands when I stop to tend an orchid who is showing signs of some kind of stress. They don't want to wait until I get things checked out.

I'm sure I could think of a dozen more things I've learned this past year, but it's time to get my "ladies" out of water and back on the shelf!

[Sandy4453]

I've learned to have patience...all in due time EXCEPT when it comes to those yellowing, bottom leaves on Phals. The scissors always wins!

....and that this hobby is really contagious...really! And I have every one of You to thank. Thank You. It has been an extremely satisfying and fun hobby, especially because of sharing it with everyone here. It wouldn't be as pleasurable as it has been if You all lived so far away. You're just a click away!!!