Ruminations of 5 Years of Orchid Growing and some free plants.

[peeweelovesbooks]

May 2012 marked my 5th year as an orchid grower. I started with a couple of phalaenopsis (incredibly hard to grow) and moved on to many different species. I bought a lot of "stuff" that I didn't need to buy, tried a lot of potting "trends" that didn't need to try, and I think I have finally found my groove: simpler is better. A clay pot. Some Hydroton. Plastic labels and a labelmaker.

Let's not forget the plants themselves. I went from buying everything and anything in sight to giving 1/2 of my orchids away to realizing that I was happiest with only a narrow collection. Have bought seedlings and hybrids and species and spent many a time with itty bitty babies that promptly went to orchid heaven. I've realized that I'm happiest with species, with some hybrids that have cought my eye to keep things interesting. I allow myself a couple of new "tryout" species each year, and I am still patiently counting each new little leaf on all my Laelia anceps and Laelia purpurata babies (still in the nursery!).

SBOE rocks; so does 4331 Steven, Ruben, Bela Vista, Kawamoto, RF, Mr. Motes, and other vendors too. I've been burned by not so nice vendors, and have been incredibly lucky to find others who love these plants as much as we all do.

Throughout all of this, I've learned a lot of things about myself, both good and bad: I'm impatient: I want the blooms NOW, but have learned to slow down and rejoice in new roots (how gorgeous) as much as in blooms! I worry about the heat, and the food, and "are they too crowded?", but smile and take pictures like a proud mama when I see blooms. 2) I CAN grow orchids! Seems silly but this hobby has been incredibly rewarding.

More importantly; however, I have made many friends, both virtual and "real." You all are what makes this hobby worth it. Not the plants, or the blooms, or the pictures, or the thrill of getting a nice division. Nope. It's the people. It's the camraderie that I have found amongst you all, the welcome mat that is permanently in place, and the realization that really, "NO question is too silly, no comment is too mundane."


Thank you to Mauro (the Catt King), Connie, Sue, Junebug, Tucker, CTB, Cathy, Roly, Ray (you are the reason I sort of understand fertilizing, LOLOL), Cody, Camille, Kavanaru (sp), and everyone else on this Board!! I thank you very, very much from the bottom of my heart.

I have a trayful of SBOE seedlings, and some random Cattleya type hybrids. If you wish to drop by and pick them up in Miami, they are yours.