diseased Cattleya

[VickiC]

You are hilarious! Thanks for a good laugh!!

I'm happy to see that you are having a blast with your orchid hobby! I am, too...but on a much smaller scale than you, mainly because of my lack of orchid knowledge. If I called or e-mailed an orchid nursery at this point, they would get a bigtime laugh, also....but in a different way than I did when I read your comment about the species, "Orchid Widower". I don't know enough about the name of any orchid to even inquire about it...if it's available for purchase...much less carry on a conversation about orchids with a nursery or anyone who is more orchid savvy than me (which includes the vast majority of the population) without embarressing myself. I would have to go to a site that shows the picture and name of the orchid that I would like to have, write the name down...and go from there. Hopefully, no one from a nursery (or anyone, for that matter) would ask me questions...this is where the embarressment comes in. confused: ) I'm trying to read my books when I can, but get interrupted often by 'real life', so now my main concern is keeping my orchids alive, healthy...blooming is a fringe benefit now. 2 1/2 yrs. experience is very little, but I'm hoping to learn more as I move along with my new hobby. I also have another hobby...music...my first love, orchids running a very close 2nd. I have learned the majority of what I know from all of you on OrchidBoard, and I very much appreciate everyone's replies and advice!! I'm simply a sponge trying to soak up all that I can.

As for orchid shows, the nearest one to me meets about 50 mi. from here. It would be nice to have a travel companion who knows the ins and outs of a show (my 'Orchid Widower' certainly wouldn't quality). I have no doubt that I would learn a lot by being around orchid knowledgable people (I'm a ppl person, anyway). I should look into shows more, and I believe I will.

Once again, as you say you are, I am having great fun with my orchid hobby! When I get excited and tell my husband about something new that I've learned or want him to check out a spike, bud or orchid that has bloomed, he says something like..."telling me things like this is like me getting excited and trying to carry on a conversation with you about ham radios".

Thank you once more,
Vicki

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

Vicki,

Anytime <3
I will tell you that most of the plants I am interested in now are not the typical "in nursery" plants that you walk in and see around.
I get them by calling around or emailing orchid nurseries. Checking out websites is a great resource for me as well. Finally, I try to go to about 2-3 shows a year for which I have to travel about 2-4hrs.
I have encountered wonderful friendly people who are willing to help you find the plants you are interested in.
It also helps to read up about the plants and I am having great fun with all of it!
I found a new species of orchid just yesterday call an "Orchid Widower"; I briefly had dinner with him before I went to tend to my plants