Orchid Amateur, Group Newbie
 

Hello everyone!

I am new to this forum and fairly new to the "hobby" of keeping Orchids. I've always been drawn to Orchids but never could keep them alive. Then 4+ years ago I was given a mini Phalaenopsis and just when I thought I killed it I actually kept it alive! I took a special interest in caring for it even then when I knew next to nothing.

Now I'm a lot more interested in taking this on as a hobby even if I'm in desperate need of some more education as my number one reason for joining here is because of the worrisome state of my current very small collection (which I'll save for the right discussion).

At present I have one mini Phal., one Paphiopedilum, and 2 Phals (just got a second on impulse this weekend), one of which has twin keikis (yes they grew from the same node) that are over a year old now and in desperate need of potting (I'm worried for them).

My goals over the course of this year are - among other things - to up my knowledge of Orchids, revive/save my current collection, and possibly add another. I'm so excited to pot my keikis now that I have more confidence about doing it. Meanwhile I plan to keep a diary (for myself) of my Orchid progress and activities.

Btw, the Phal. I bought at a shopping center (oh yes I did), which I was immediately taken by because of its deep violet cover (the only one in the bunch) has been "dyed" using a patented process of dye injection. 'Sigh'. Nothing wrong with white flowers, but after these die, they will not be violet next time. Oh well...

Cheers!
Lotis

Welcome, Lotis!

You've come to a good place for more education; lots of knowledgeable members here. But I always recommend a few books whenever someone is trying to learn something new.

You may also find you have an orchid society near you who will have members with years of experience, who are generally only too happy to have a new member join their ranks.

The general advice on potting up Phalaenopsis keikis is "3 inches of roots" - either one root three inches long, or several adding up to three inches, as a rule of thumb. Before they reach that length, just mist them daily as you would aerial roots.

My solution to keeping an orchid diary was to start a blog - it's a good way of keeping track of your trials and tribulations (and victories!). Orchids on a Balcony

Welcome to Orchid Board :welcome:

:welcomeflowers:

My orchid growing improved immensely after joining OB!

Welcome to the Orchid Board from the OCRC in China.

Ditto!
Welcome to the board Lotis!

Thank you, appreciate the recommendations!
 

Thank you, I really appreciate the recommendations. I've got "Growing Orchids" right now and am continuing to look into other resources. I can't help myself right now and want to buy a different kind of Orchid. Found out there's Hauserman's Orchids in IL that I could visit when near there soon but I was going to buy from orchids.com tonight! I was planning to buy more than one for this year but...anywho, I'm going to check out your blog too. I think that's a great idea, blogging, and thought about it myself. I currently have a blog for my poetry book, project 365 and general writing so I hesitated adding yet another subject to it but it could be a lot of fun as long as I keep the page well-organized. I'm really excited to grow my collection and knowledge. I think it would be great to propagate as well!

So thanks again for the warm welcome and advice. I'll look into those books you recommended too. And look forward to meeting other orchidists around here!

Cheers everybody!

---------- Post added at 09:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:40 PM ----------

Thank you to everyone, so kind already! I can totally see how being a member here will improve my growing capabilities as several of you mentioned. Already I've had great help from so many with regard to my many posts about my compromised Orchids. It hasn't even been a week yet and I'm very optimistic about the future of my plants. I just recently moved them back into the room where they started and while I didn't open the windows yet today, keeping the light at a minimum, I will crack them a bit more tomorrow.

The leaves on my Paph. seem to be a bit more firm than they had been. I may be jumping the gun here but I think I can say the same for my keikis. The mother Phal.'s youngest leaves are still like floppy ears but I'm watching them all closely. The mini 's leaves also seem a bit more firm but still wrinkly. I'm so anxious to be certain of their improvement I've become impatient, I feel like a week has passed since I got on here for help, received a lot of it, and followed the advice...but it hasn't.

So again, thanks. I can't wait to be able to help someone save their Orchids too!