Greetings from the Sandbox
 

Hello everyone!
Im new here, and in the recent weeks have fallen madly in love with orchids, just having them around puts me in a better mood :)

Its ridiculously hot at this time of the year 112 F/44C and Im looking to branch further into other orchid types such as vandas and I am quite worried that I will fail, anyways I cant wait to talk to everyone and learn new things about the various species of this gorgeous flower! I know I have a lot to learn and just browsing around so far I am intrigued!
Take cares
Suzie :)

Oh yes...I'm from Arizona

I think that as long as you are growing indoors, you could have some good success with orchids. I don't know about outside in arizona desert conditions. But inside you should be able to grow lots of things.

Hello Suzie

Welcome to the Orchid Board ! I'm new also but not new to orchids , your collection will grow quicker than you can imagine . I always tell people to start with Ascda. they are a little easier and bloom younger than a pure Vanda . Ascda Princess Mikasa 'Sapphire' or 'Pink' are 2 good ones to start also a vasco. pine rivers is a good choice . They can bloom 2 times a year and don't require as much light . You should look for a orchid club in your area if they are like the 2 I belong to members are usually willing to share divisions . Happy Growing
Rocco

Hi Suzie...welcome to Orchidboard :D

I thought it was hot here but you've definitely got me beat! :yikes: I would think if you tried to grow anything outdoors, there would be non-stop maintenance and finger-crossing involved. Growing indoors sounds like a great idea for you and I'm sure our members will help you to make the right choice...and then help you again if you need any assistance :D

What orchids do you have now?

If you need help with anything, let us know :)

Welcome Suzie......
for a second I thought you meant the real "sandbox" and I was soooo excited because I am deploying in April and I was wondering if I could have any delivered to where I will be posted ( I think/thought it was impossible)...But then I read your last line and you said you live in AZ!!!!:blushing: :blushing: :blushing: :blushing: :blushing:
So.....I can see my thought were right about the sandbox and orchids...not your sandbox!
But anyhow:

WELCOME OBOARD THE OB!!!

How exciting to know you are new to orchids!!!
Please yell us your first orchid, or what you may plan on adopting!!!!!
If you have any questions, just ask away!!!

But Susanne, its a dry heat.:crackup: It helps when your sweat actually works. In Fl, you just get hot and wet. Wait, that didnt sound right.:scratchhead:

Dave

Stop! I can't breathe!!! :crackup:

Thank you!!! :) I wish orchids were so much cheaper, I'd have no room to breathe in my apt !!

I have to ask you real quick, what is the best potting medium and Im so confused and the whole fertilizer thing the proportions which are best, I really want something that wont kill my plant and possible purchases :)
thanks again

Hello :)
Thanks for being so nice,I think what Im hearing overall from the board is that the pure vandas will be a nightmare for me, and even with all that effort- there will be no gurantee for them to flourish let alone, survive... I think I will purchase a Princess Mikasa and pamper it like a child and hopefully it will work, if not then I'll just mail it out to someone in a better climate to give it some love... I really havent found much online about arizona orchid clubs, either way thanks again..

oh yes if you have any recs on potting mediums and fertilizer proportions as I dont want to spend 123125 dollars and kill my plants in the end, so if you have any recs I'd greatly appreciate it, thank you much :)

Hahaha, I live in the desert indeed, yeah outdoors isnt a possibility till late September or early October...
I only have a Phalaenopsis (one!) *gasp*

Oh yes Im looking to buy three new orchids, and cant choose from all of these, Im really looking for an orange, purple and a whiteish-orange one at least for now, if you also have any potting medium or fertilizer recommendations, let me know, thank you much :)

-Phal. Yungho Gelb Canary 'Honey'
Phal. Sogo Palm 'Lucky Star'
Ascda. Princess Mikasa 'Sapphire' AM/AOS
Ascda. Su-Fun Beauty 'Orange Belle' AM/AOS
Den. Velvet Melody 'Wiinter Wine'

Im not an expert at growing orchids, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night. Ok, enough jokes. I have been doing a lot of reading on this board, other sites and a stack of books,I have a few orchids that I havent killed yet, so I am going to give you some answers that I think would be correct.

First, there are a hundred answers to every question based on what each person had done or would like to do. So dont be confused, just understand there are 100 ways to skin a cat.

For medium, there are a few things to keep in mind. The media need to drain well, meaning that when you pour water on the top it runs out the bottom fairly freely. The medium also needs to allow air flow to the roots. I dont think it needs to dry out, but that isnt the issue that you will be facing. The medium's ability to hold moisture I feel will be important to you because of your low humidity.

Check out the S/H (semi-hydroponic) section of this forum, I think it might be up your alley. Also a bark based medium is a good choice, but I would add some sphagnum moss for moisture retention. Read though the beginners discussion section, there are a lot of examples of mediums.

Fertlizer. Feed at every watering. You can start with a basic "orchid food" and follow the directions. Or you can opt to go with the more advanced foods such as MSU (do a search on this board). Or you can use a nutrient such as those sold for hydroponic systems. I use a product from General Hydroponics called MaxiGro. The reason I use a hydro nutrient is that in hydro systems, the nutrient has to provide ALL of what the plant needs.

How much fertlizer. If the fertlizer or nutrient has dosage for orchids listed, start with that. You can go up from there. Dont worry about underfeeding at the beginning, you can always increase the dosage. You will also read a lot about Nitrogen PPM (parts per million), and that a lot of folk go for 125ppm of N. Basically, divide 10 by the nitrogen % content of your fertlizer. The number you get is how many teaspoons of fert per gallon to give you 125ppm.

I hope this helps to answer some of your questions. I often refer you to read because it with experince will be your best teacher and a straight shot to success. For a lot of very helpful info, check outWelcome to First Rays Orchids. Click on the "free information link.

Dave

:welcome: Aboard Cookie .. great that you have joined the OB where a wealth of information awaits you.

Dave shared in some great information...may I add a tidbit of information. Food for thought...I am sure you have seen around here the phrase "weak weekly", which merely means if watering with fert weekly, keep the solution weak. I also flush my plants every 2 weeks in the summer and 4 weeks in the winter to cleanse the medium of salt and other fert reside left behind.

As for medium, I use a bark mix adding sphag moss, perilite, and charcoal, soaking in super thrive prior to repotting.

Just my 2 cents worth...but works for one might not for another...its merely a matter of our orchids acclimating to their conditions...they will tell you if they are not happy.

Glad your here at the OB....:bananaslide: