Converting family members to orchids

[quiltergal]

Great strategy Evan! LOL My son did the same thing with me at your age. He dragged me kicking and screaming (ya right) to the orchid show and made me buy orchids for him and me. He of course "volunteered" to care for mine since I didn't know diddly about chids back then. When he moved out he told me I was on my own and that's how I found OB! The rest is history!

I have since passed the bug on to friends and some reluctant family members. I've given away divisions and some NOIDs. My mom keeps saying she doesn't have time. (She's in her 80's and retired for crying out loud) She has a pitiful little collection of Phals and a lone Den that are perpetually underwatered. Her outside Cyms on the other hand are quite a sight when in full bloom. She has one mini that sported 20 spikes last year I kid you not! It was gorgeous.

[camille1585]

It's not easy getting family members into orchids, especially since they have limited interest in plants in general. The funny thing about the double spiking phal, is that my mom rescued that one from an abusive co-worker who was slowly killing it on her desk. Originally the plan was to nurse it back to health and then give it back. But now it's funny, mom is saying that the person doesn't really care about it, and the conditions in the office are not good (it was sitting next to a heater), and that maybe she should keep it.

My sister on the other hand, she loves the blooms, but really hates taking care of them. She's not a plant person, and not an outdoorsie person.

[Sandy4453]

Once you see results like these, it's easy to get hooked! Good going Camille and just think...you'll always have your orchids in good hands while you're away, conquering the world!

[greenbean]

Thanks Terri, glad to hear a success story in a situation like mine. Oh Mom! When's the next garden show?

Camille, it can be hard getting family members into orchids even if they love gardening. My parents started me gardening before I could walk, and my dad studied landscape architecture in college, even though he went on to become an electrician, but I'm still cadjoling them into growing orchids. Even my brother who is graduating with degrees in metallurgy and material sciences (nothing AT ALL to do with plants, about as far as you can get from gardening) loves gardening.

Don't give up, they've had a taste and they're sure to want more!

[peeweelovesbooks]

I am a convert. My sister angie would drag me around orchid shows and orchid nuseries for a while, and about 2 years ago, she persuaded me to buy two phals for my office because the space looked too empty. She's a buyer and not a "let's take care of the plant" type of person. So, anyway, next thing you know, I'm running out of space for my orchids. I've since stopped buying phals and have moved on to the more exotic and species type orchids. 2 years and many orchid victims later, I'm officially an orchid nut. She, on the other hand, buys phals periodically, but isn't obsessed like I am. She infected me with her addiction and cured herself.

[camille1585]

I went back home to France last week for a short break, and I finally got to see my yellow phal in person. Almost all of the buds opened, there are only a few left. That makes a total of 26 blooms/ buds on the spike! The side spike grew parallel to the main spike, which looks nice. Pretty good for a first reblooming!
The other two orchids I had posted are getting close to blooming too. One should be starting in a day or two.

[Blueszz]

Aaaaaaaw, so beautiful!
If it needs a foster home ... ROFLOL

[RosieC]

Wow that's a real stunner. What a wonderful load of flowers.

[Beverly]

Thats gorgeous Camille.
My daughter is turning 8 soon and I asked her what she wanted for her birthday. She asked for a pink or white Paphiopedilum. That makes me so happy. I love taking her to nurseries and shows. I love seeing the look on peoples faces as she starts pointing to orchids and naming them.

[greenbean]

WOW!! What a bloomer! And a gorgeous soft yellow, too! Thanks for the update, Camille. I should really get my own yellow phal.

HA! Oh Beverly, sounds like your kid is on the right track! It's always funny to watch peoples' faces when someone starts spewing latin and names of cultivars, clones, etc.