Ruminations of 5 Years of Orchid Growing and some free plants.
 

May 2012 marked my 5th year as an orchid grower. I started with a couple of phalaenopsis (incredibly hard to grow) and moved on to many different species. I bought a lot of "stuff" that I didn't need to buy, tried a lot of potting "trends" that didn't need to try, and I think I have finally found my groove: simpler is better. A clay pot. Some Hydroton. Plastic labels and a labelmaker.

Let's not forget the plants themselves. I went from buying everything and anything in sight to giving 1/2 of my orchids away to realizing that I was happiest with only a narrow collection. Have bought seedlings and hybrids and species and spent many a time with itty bitty babies that promptly went to orchid heaven. I've realized that I'm happiest with species, with some hybrids that have cought my eye to keep things interesting. I allow myself a couple of new "tryout" species each year, and I am still patiently counting each new little leaf on all my Laelia anceps and Laelia purpurata babies (still in the nursery!).

SBOE rocks; so does 4331 Steven, Ruben, Bela Vista, Kawamoto, RF, Mr. Motes, and other vendors too. I've been burned by not so nice vendors, and have been incredibly lucky to find others who love these plants as much as we all do.

Throughout all of this, I've learned a lot of things about myself, both good and bad: I'm impatient: I want the blooms NOW, but have learned to slow down and rejoice in new roots (how gorgeous) as much as in blooms! I worry about the heat, and the food, and "are they too crowded?", but smile and take pictures like a proud mama when I see blooms. 2) I CAN grow orchids! Seems silly but this hobby has been incredibly rewarding.

More importantly; however, I have made many friends, both virtual and "real." You all are what makes this hobby worth it. Not the plants, or the blooms, or the pictures, or the thrill of getting a nice division. Nope. It's the people. It's the camraderie that I have found amongst you all, the welcome mat that is permanently in place, and the realization that really, "NO question is too silly, no comment is too mundane."


Thank you to Mauro (the Catt King), Connie, Sue, Junebug, Tucker, CTB, Cathy, Roly, Ray (you are the reason I sort of understand fertilizing, LOLOL), Cody, Camille, Kavanaru (sp), and everyone else on this Board!! I thank you very, very much from the bottom of my heart.

I have a trayful of SBOE seedlings, and some random Cattleya type hybrids. If you wish to drop by and pick them up in Miami, they are yours.

Thank you for voicing what many of us go through. I totally agree with you, simpler is better. I recently reverted to bark, cos that's what works best for me under my growing conditions. And OB is simply the best, I may not know all of you, but I feel I'm among friends. I know you'll cheer with me at the sight of a new spike or roots, or when I manage to save a plant. And no one on the board will say "Yes, mother I see the small growth" , you showed me yesterday

What a nice post Maria!

I know I have learned so much from all the great members here - and also learned to understand fertilizer a bit thanks to Ray lol

It's great to have a place where others are excited with and for you for even the small victories, and you don't need to be worried about being ridiculed for asking what may be a basic question. Everyone here knows that we all started somewhere/sometime. And there's always something new to learn!

What a great post, and I doubt I could have said it better myself!!! It's wonderful to know there will always be a large group of friendly people here, and I have to say that friendiness is Orchid Boards most outstanding feature. It is amazing to look back at how much I've learned from the members here since I joined a little under two years ago, and I hope this Board will continue to be a launching pad for many more new comers in the future. Finally, its touching to know that I have been able to give back to the members here!

Very well put thoughts! I too value the people here and the accepting and supportive place a person can show off their successes and mourn their losses. My hubby was just asking me where I learned so much about orchids and my comment was that I have likely learned the most from this forum! Thanks to everyone!

Friends and neighbors always ask how I know or learned how to grow orchids - I always tell them ORCHID BOARD!

Lovely post Maria, very well said!

Me too I went through phases of buying all sorts of stuff to try, when like you, found that simple is better, and it's a good growing knowledge that gives great blooms, not necessarily all those fancy trendy ferts, and media and such. I also used to buy everything in sight, got disappointed when stuff died, and then discovered that I'm a Phal person at heart.

A friend asked me the other day while helping me move, why orchids? I could give lots of reasons (largest plant family, diversity of colors and scents...) but it's only while reading your post now that I realized the real WHY. The people! The orchid community is always there to share your successes and failures, teach you, and also learn from you. I've made many great friends here, some that sadly don't post anymore (Sue, Ross, Becky...).

Well said.
And very generous of you.

What a sweet post.

I've been wandering in and out of the OB chats from time to time and ALWAYS find the discussions generous, open-hearted, knowledgeable and very, very encouraging.

You're totally right...it's the people that make this a very special group.

Sometimes you really need a little "Congratulations!" when a flower blooms. You all know how long the wait was for that bud to finally emerge and open! and what a reflection that is on how you've successfully cared for that plant. It's also great to get a little virtual "hug" when a plant goes to orchid heaven.

This is a wonderful forum of helpful, thoughtful folks.

It's one of the main reasons that I've started being a little more adventurous in trying a few new plants. I know that you all will have my back, if I have questions.....no matter how basic they are.

I love you guys! Thank you all!

:-)

Jess

I still buy a variety! I'm still getting rid of rejects! When does it end? : )
Orchid growing is a fun hobby. Orchid Society members, friends who are trying them, random people one meets at greenhouses, open houses, orchid shows, and those online...everyone I meet that is involved with orchids is just great! And many of the people I meet grow some of the other plants, too!
It has been fun learning about orchids even if I will never be able to pronounce the names.