Oak Hill--Another one bites the dust?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by desertanimal

Perhaps if there were no stigma about being gay in the first place . . . A little more important, IMO, than whether people think you're gay for growing flowers . . .

This is the ideal situation, my comment was meant to encompass both scenarios.

[Leafmite]

Perhaps someday, humanity will forgo hurtful labels and instead realize that what makes the world a wonderful place is the diversity that is found all around. The variety of flowers, plants, people, animals, stars, buildings, sunsets, etc. What a boring life we would all have if there was no variety. :|

I select my orchids based completely on whether I like them and want to make the accommodations necessary to grow them. I have mostly species, some primary hybrids and some complex hybrids. Most, but not all, are fragrant.

I think orchid societies need to do more 'outreach' and introduce orchids to the public. Orchids are not difficult compared to other houseplants when set up correctly. As with any houseplant, people just need to be taught how to pick the correct one for their environment and how to care for it. I am trying to convince our Orchid Society to do this but, well, we shall see. :|

[stonedragonfarms]

Interesting thoughts; I've never encountered "attitude" about being gay and growing orchids. I find too often there is a deep divide between the "old" guard (read, those growers that remember when you could gain cultural information either by making the trip to where something grew naturally, or by attending proceedings to listen to somebody droll on ad nauseam about their observations, findings, research, etc) and the rest of us (read, I know how to use technology; if I want concise information I'll email the author of the article, one of the current growers, etc.)
We are slowly seeing things change--the acceptance of digital photography for AOS judging; the reformat of the AOS Journal into both print and digital editions, etc. Don't get me wrong, there are still a lot of things that need to be changed imho: CITES needs to be reworked on a massive scale, the AOS needs to be more supportive of both it's local branches and vendors/nurseries here in the US, etc.
As a very specialized grower, I frankly find the species vs hybrids debate/argument irrelevant. Do I wish there were more species on the market? Yes. Do I wish there were more hybrids on the market? Yes. That being said, what I as a hobbyist ultimately hope for is the ability to purchase those plants that I desire at a fair price.
Sorry to hear about Oakhill passing, it joins the ranks of Hoosier Orchids, RJ Rands, Ratcliffe Orchids and others.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

J & L might soon join those ranks.

Mountain Orchids also seems to be taking less of an interest in selling orchids nowadays.

I've also heard on passing that growing orchids "are for old people". If it has been brought up, and someone my age has heard it, I'm almost certain those younger than me have heard it at one point or another. If the youth are to be involved, it has to be known that this IS NOT JUST an "old people's hobby" or a hobby for retired people. It is a hobby for everyone of any gender, of any sexual orientation, and of any age who may be interested in these plants.

[Subrosa]

I think that we as individuals can help with outreach as well, if we just look around. I was at a customer's over the summer(I do aquarium maintenance), when I noticed a Phal on the kitchen windowsill. I asked about it and it turned out it was given as a gift. His attitude was that it was beautiful, but since orchids were so difficult he expected it to die. When I mentioned how easy they really are his first thought was to offer it to me. I was able to convince him to make a few small changes as to its potting and assured him that it didn't do well for him that I would take it. Yesterday I was there, and that plant is starting to get nice fat buds on the new spike it put out. Plus there are now about a half dozen others on windowsills around the house, including one very sad looking one that he bought to rescue! He wants to try something other than Phals now, so next time I go I told him I'd bring him a surprise. You'd have thought I offered an alcoholic a drink! Had I ignored that first little Phal, or just accepted it when it was offered, there would be one less orchidaholic in the world.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

@Subrosa:

What was the approach? I've done this a multitude of times, and most of the times I get excuses.

Maybe my approach turns them off, or jars them, or something…; somehow, it feels as if a good number of people have an extremely tough time listening to what I'm trying to say.

[Leafmite]

Great to hear that you have fostered interest in orchids in someone new.
It is difficult to get new people interested in orchids...or even plants in general. I give Phals away as gifts. Most of the Phals are doing well years later but they remain the lone orchid and, usually, the only houseplant. :|

[Subrosa]

I just explained as simply as possible the technique of using a clear pot and watching the roots. He'd failed before, found the method intriguing and said it was worth a shot.

[Paul]

It used to be true that orchids were for the older or well off folks. Prices were such that a young person was unlikely to have the capital necessary for such extravagance. Although prices have dropped markedly for orchids, I still run into many who find them pricey -- and orchids are when compared to cheap, easily propagated plants like African violets.

The fact that many folks get their first plant from a BBS or supermarket doesn't help. The media such plants are in and the directions that come with them are so often not conducive to the plant's long term survival in the hands of a beginner. When said plant dies, folks tend to assume orchids are too difficult and expensive to keep trying.

One of the most common issues I run into when I give advice to people about growing their orchid(s) is that they want a hard and fast set of rules -- ex. water the plant with X amount water every Tuesday. Problem is that it doesn't work that way. In reality, it doesn't work well that way for most plants ... only for the people taking care of them. Explaining what they can try given their conditions requires a willingness on their part to be educated. I find it is often easier to get the idea across to gardeners that growing conditions can vary considerably from one home to another. Many gardeners have seen first hand where plants in one area may grow fabulously while a patch of the exact same plants in another, similar seeming environment do not do as well and may even struggle or die. Micro climates abound.

Personally, I find it rather amusing when I run into African violet people who try to tell me orchids are difficult. I tend to shock them when I tell them that I find orchids far easier than AVs. I give them a lot of credit for being able to grow a nice AV. Unless I grow the AV in a terrarium, they die on me in no time.

[Leafmite]

I put the orchids into red lava rock before I give them away. Then I tell them to water whenever and give them the basic rules like 'indirect bright light, don't get water on the leaves, don't leave water sit in the outer pot, etc. Seems to work very well.
My oldest daughter does have two Phals with her at college. I thought she wouldn't want the one I gave her but now she has two...and an aloe plant. My second daughter just told me that her roommate wants to try an orchid so I might look for one for her.