Setting up a wishlist for myself - open to ideas

[estación seca]

Around here the happy sap is most visible when new orchids arrive.

[Zabeta]

It sounds like oncidiums do well for you. Have you tried Sharry Baby (the "chocolate orchid," which I have found to be EXTREMELY hardy and easy to grow) or any of the "dancing lady" orchids? I have a NoID which I believe to be Onc. Sweet Sugar or something similar, and it's really hardy. I've also had good luck with the Twinkle type mini-oncidiums. You might try Kawamoto Orchids - that's where I've gotten both of my Sharry Baby orchids and several other oncidiums.

[jmccoy]

Thank you for your support. I have bought three orchid books which I have read through them all. One is the "Orchids for Dummies", next is "Bloom-Again Orchids" and the last one which is my favorite and I swear I read parts of it every weekend is "Understanding Orchids" by William Cullina. I recommend this book to anyone. It has helped my identify and learn about so many orchids and help me choose beginner orchids and orchids that I might be able to challenge myself with later. I do want to try the aquarium set up later but for now I am limited on space. I am contemplating going from my single level 5 foot long table to a double or triple layer wire rack. That way I can double or triple the amount I have though what I have now is very nautral on the eyes. I will take the advice I have been given and set myself at a goal of reblooming 10 orchids before buying more. I really do love watching them grow. So far only a phenopsis but the rest are all still pretty new.

[gngrhill]

I have noticed in my short experience that happy sap seems to come before blooming, so I love to see that .

[jmccoy]

That is interesting. I will have to look for that and see if that is the same for my little collection.

[Paul]

In addition to your light set-up, what do you have in the way of window lighting?

[jmccoy]

Unfortunately I don't really have any southern or western windows available for my orchids. They are taken up by my moms african violets. So nothing I could use year round. Just the lights.

[Leafmite]

The windows are all occupied here, too, with the other plants (my plants, though, so I cannot complain). Your idea of getting wire shelves and more lights is a good one. That is just what I have done.

[jmccoy]

Lol thanks. Love having support for this passion. I really should resist but it is so hard as everyone here can relate. I literally spend at least 30 min every day after I get home from work and school to see what my orchids have done during the day. Roots and leaves galore as well as watching my phal bloom and more on the way. My little happy space. Guess you cant have too much happy though lol so I think more shelves will be on the way soon.

[gngrhill]

Originally Posted by jmccoy

Lol thanks. Love having support for this passion. I really should resist but it is so hard as everyone here can relate. I literally spend at least 30 min every day after I get home from work and school to see what my orchids have done during the day. Roots and leaves galore as well as watching my phal bloom and more on the way. My little happy space. Guess you cant have too much happy though lol so I think more shelves will be on the way soon.

I feel the same way As soon as I get home from work I go into my happy place and just spend time looking at them all. Love seeing blooms open and roots growing.(Not so happy with the spots on the leaves, however )