How do you keep/have all those Orchids!?

[cbuchman]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

Carrie,

As I said, whatever size you think you need - Double Up.

Br,
Kim

Kim,
LOL! Sometimes, a marriage takes compromise , and then of course there is the budget

[Vanda lover]

The budget is always the most difficult part. We are retired. What I wouldn't give to have a sun room again!

[Leafmite]

For me, the greatest places to be are tropical gardens and conservatories so, naturally, my decorating style is 'conservatory'. I have always collected plants and so, when we bought a house, we bought one with South-facing windows for my plants. I do wish I had thought of a sun room.

[Vanda lover]

South facing windows certainly are important. We have a few of those but they aren't as big as I would like. We have mostly North windows, so all of my phals go there. they do well but would get more blooms if I could give them more light.

[shushu45]

I have 32 orchids soon to be 34. And most of mine r in a portable greenhouse I got myself for my birthday. The ones that r in there r going bananas.

[Leafmite]

I know. Windows are never large enough. Before I realized how expensive greenhouses were to heat, I always wanted one. I've been buying mostly small orchids now or ones that can be mounted and getting rid of the large cattleyas. I'll be getting rid of a large passiflora this summer which will free up quite a bit of space. With windows, there are always choices to be made.

[shushu45]

I plan in setting them on my north facing poarch out back. And my two Catt.s and three Den. Spectabile in the corners of my south facing poarch in the front. (That gets plenty of shade in the corners and just enough light)

[Leafmite]

I'm looking forward to summer, too, and putting everyone outside. I have the tougher plants out on the porch (will cover them on cooler nights to protect from the wind) but the orchids and other plants still are waiting for warmer night temperatures.

[lotis146]

Wow, I would love to have a greenhouse. At the moment I'm just don't think that a real greenhouse is feasible for me. I spend my time between MI & IL. I think if I were to have Orchids in both places I could only have Orchids that can stand dryer conditions in one place. I'm afraid they'd get neglected and not watered more than once a week in one place. But I guess that's where I could use more moss as a medium. That would be awesome.

I'm already starting to see how time could be an issue because I always want to stare at them or mess with them! My soon to be home-office has my large birds in there and I plan to put Orchids, maybe one of those small zip up greenhouses for non-flowering plants but I worry that the Cockatoo will get out and destroy it! (He's like that.) I see that the more you get the more it comes together for you. Having non-flowering plants makes you want blooms bad but I don't want to just ditch them when they don't flower! So now I see the function of one of those little zip-up plastic things. Then I can put all the flowering ones around!!!

So you've made me count now...currently 9, 3 on the way, and possibly a micro-mini 4th. I too want to get several minis as I figure I could fit 3 or 4 on my kitchen windowsill. However it is east facing and get direct light for some hours in the morning. Is that okay for Tolumnia equitant & Phal? Most mine are east facing now but away from the window so the angle is different than if I put these minis right up against the window.

I think I'll probably wind up with 20 by summer then I'll be able to hold off buying because I'll have my outdoor landscaping project in action.

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I know. Windows are never large enough. Before I realized how expensive greenhouses were to heat, I always wanted one. I've been buying mostly small orchids now or ones that can be mounted and getting rid of the large cattleyas. I'll be getting rid of a large passiflora this summer which will free up quite a bit of space. With windows, there are always choices to be made.

I had a passiflora and I got rid of it for the same reason. I'll miss the fruit, though.