One of the things I have found with regard to increasing one's success rate with experience... that certainly is the case. But for me, as a "What can I get away with?" backyard grower, the successes drive me to get more adventurous. So I push the envelope a bit further... sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't , but I learn from the casualties - try again and often succeed the second time. When something (the familiar ones) get too easy, they become less interesting, when there are so many wonderful orchids out there to try - and to learn about.

My approach is ------ to read and find out in advance whether and orchid is able to grow and survive satisfactorily in my growing area. And to read and find out as much as I can in advance - about what can harm the health of orchids. Once everything is properly addressed ...... one can expect good results.

My approach is also - to look after and care for every single orchid - both small and large. My aim is not let any of them die. That is - not expendable.

This is different from say hybridisers, where they may treat orchids like grass or veges etc. Expendable - trashable, compostable. They have a different viewpoint of course.

My orchids that I get are not treated as hobby toys. They're my buddies.

But I also understand that other people have their own aims, interests, behaviour and ways of doing things etc. I can understand their side of things.

Dear Roberta,

Sorry for the delay - did not mean to ignore your comment )) I understand what you say - every type of orchid is like a completely fresh dialogue with a new creature... to me, anyway ))) And the challenge of working out the trick to make them grow at their best makes it all the more exciting!

---------- Post added at 02:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:29 PM ----------

Dear SouthPark,

What you say is exactly the way I feel! Most of the orchids in my collection at the moment are "rescues" - I took them from people who did not want them (and could not be bothered to find out how to care for them!)... because, unfortunately, most people see them as a flower arrangement that lasts a few months - and then, rubbish bin!!!

I see "red"every time I am at a shop or a vendor who sells (expensive!) plants without roots, claiming "the plant is healthy because it has green leaves"...

I (am a nut!) and check on every plant every day - look for pests, check their roots, etc... And my goal in keeping them is their optimum growth, not one-season blossom...

As for learning about them in advance - I realize, I should ))) But I am too impulsive!!! I fall in love with an orchid and I bring it home - thus making my own life difficult by then having to bend over backwards in creating good conditions for them ))))))

M.D. ...... excellent words and excellent post.

Impulsive is ok hehehe. I have pretty much run out of growing space at home here, and there were a few recent times that I still 'had to' (against my own stone rock written rule) purchase an orchid hehehe. I can say at least (with an 'excuse') ----- circumstantial hehehe.

Totally agree with all that you mentioned - including the seeing red bit.

There are/were times when I saw orchids in supermarkets and other stores, that obviously were not watered, not tended to, not looked after. That was quite disgusting really.

Great to meet people like you on this board!

Thank you - the feeling is mutual! )))))