I couldn't resist... new orchids on the way, several types
 

I was chatting with a few other members and learned about a very affordable orchid website with a pretty nice shipping discount going right now ($5 flat, independent of order size). It's Jewell Orchids.

My collection is presently just two phals, and I've been itching to branch out. Here's what's coming:

http://i716.photobucket.com/albums/w...ewell-JULY.jpg
:biggrin:

The Encyclia and the Sierra Skies are supposed to be fragrant. Not quite sure about the character, though. I was going to inquire with the seller, but I had no idea about the stock so I just went with it.

I'm really amazed at the diversity in appearance of this plant genus. I can understand how some people have many dozens of them!

Very nice selection! Enjoy!

Awesome! I was eying that Sierra Skies myself, haha.

Thank you!

I'm humbled by the tremendous diversity of orchid plants. Having been so accustomed to phalaenopsis (see them everywhere, my parents often have a dozen in their home, etc), I've been looking to branch out. I had no idea some of these plants are fragrant, so it'll be a nice change to have a little of that.

Yeah, that Sierra Skies Leone is a beauty. The Jewell Orchid website says photos are of actual plants to be purchased, but doesn't say what the quantity is. Hopefully I didn't get the last one. ;)

Well, they arrived today. Wow... I somehow had the impression that the pots would be larger! They're really quite small. These are real starters... I guess I'm so used to the more mature plants you typically buy in local stores. But these guys are so small, I wouldn't expect to see any blooming for about 1-2 years minimum! :(

Anyway, really basic provisions just to get the plants to you. These do need to be repotted. I was kind of hoping they could last a season in the pot provided.

most people like to pot in thier own mix, to keep a uniformity in watering regime....a lot of what you buy on the web are starter, seedling, size plants which require several years to flower....you need to check on actual blooming size plants if thats what you want....i personally like the instant gratification, lol.....orchids by hausermanns have a good selection of large blooming size plants and are very knowledgeable....i also recommend carmela's in hawaii, they have specials all the time on budded plants....gl and enjoy the orchids!

Thanks, dounoharm. Yeah, I'm more about the instant gratification too... I can see if it you've got a big garden going, you can pace yourself and get a seasonal progression going. I'm starting small so I don't have much. I don't have a ton of room either... so, these little ones should be easy to care for. Just kind of a bummer to think it'll be 2 years down the road at least before I see any flowering!

yeah, i am lucky to have a greenhouse the past 5 years now and can indulge my excesses....lol....but before, i grew in the windows of whatever house i lived in...i have grown orchids for 40 years....be patient and they will flower and grow big...but buy yourself a couple big ones to keep you interested.....lol

I can appreciate that... the pay off of seeing something you've nurtured for several years become something beautiful to behold. But yes, instant or short-range gratification is hard to beat!

I've repotted my seedlings into larger pots so they'll have room to grow. Also, to accommodate some new fresh organic moss. Hopefully they'll like the new conditions.

Incidentally, do the seedlings require the same watering frequency as the larger plants, or should they be watered more often? I've put in some moss that helps hold moisture a bit longer, so I'm hoping no more than once per week.

By the way, I potted all three of these with organic sphagnum moss. It looked like the right thing to do, as the smaller pots don't retain moisture for very long. Where can I learn about the optimal potting mix for each of these orchid types?