Why do you like orchids?

[Nico]

Why do you like orchids?

We all talk about how to grow them, watering, fertilisation, lighting, etc. But what about the spiritual aspect of growing orchids... Are they different from other plants?...

I am going to tell you my feelings, although English in not my native language....

Orchids are strange and beautiful plants. I don't know how many plants last for months?... They originaly grow and develop in special climate, but they somehow bloom in our house... Even if my Phalaenopsis makes a single flower, I am happy. They have only a few leaves, but the elegant spike, searchig for the light, makes a beautiful and interesting flowers, like no other... And sometimes, when an orchid is left without water for days sometimes, or in poor light, they found the strenght to bloom and to survive.

I am trying to take photos of every orchids I have and to catch their the unique features. For me orchids are not just plants... they are exotic live forms that give me joy in the both happy or unhappy days .

[Royal]

I was drawn to their unique growth habit and strange pollinator relationships. I too find beauty in the most common of orchids, blooming or not.

The challenge is fun too.

[DebsC]

Great question, Nico. Makes me actually think about what I'm growing and what the rewards are.

Aside from their great beauty when in bloom, orchids are a challenge to grow. It's a hobby that's never boring and you never know all there is to know about them.

The learning begins with seeing your first orchid plant and doesn't ever end.

Orchids are exotic and even though we have native orchids in many area's, an orchid plant conjures up visions of wild jungles and rain forests, crystal drops of rain dripping onto quiet forest floors cushioned with emerald mosses and lacy ferns.

In my heart and soul I know the native habitats are disappearing and for whatever reasons, this is due to the hand of mankind.

When I enter my greenhouse, first I see the beauty and then I feel the serenity. These were once the plants of Kings and the rich and of explorers who risk their lives just to own a single plant.

Very few people grow orchids in my area so they are still considered a mystery. People that come to my greenhouse are so in awe of these plants, their unique roots and the beauty of their flowers.

They are also in awe of the person that keeps orchids and that makes me feel good! What more could I ask for from a hobby?

[priz_m]

Orchids fascinate me, they are beautiful beyond belief and they bring me peace when I stare at their blooms.

It is amazing to know you are able to preserve an exquisite part of nature in the privacy of your home.

I can't quite put it in one word, I just love them, there I guess I could

[JennS]

This is something that is so hard to put into words, but is such a wonderful discussion topic.

I have always loved most living things (with the exception of some people ) plants and animals alike. I have always found most plants in some way or another to be quite intriguing. I was lucky enough to grow up with a mother who had quite a green thumb and got me hooked on plants too. One day she was given a beautiful orchid by my father for an anniversary gift. I thought it was beautiful, but at the time I was still quite young (9 years old or so) so I didn't get into learning much about it then, but admired it's beauty nonetheless.

I got hooked by accident when I purchased my first one for it's beauty. It had spider mites and I had to fight to keep it alive. I think that was what hooked me because it was a challenge and didn't just sit there looking pretty.

So, I think I enjoy the challenge of orchid growing, as well as the constant learning and, of course, their beauty. My friend (who in essence got me hooked unknowingly) had sent me a gift card to Target for my birthday one year, and that was what I used to purchase my first orchid. I told her what I bought with the $ and she kind of laughed. She had worked at a florist shop for several years and said, "I hate to tell you this, but after the orchid is done blooming they just sit there all year and look really ugly." I couldn't disagree more. I love to watch the new growth, the new root development, repot them, mount them, etc. I just love to work with them, around them, look at them, etc. I can't wait until I have a big enough collection to sit surrounded by them and just read a book or something while admiring their beauty. One day....

[Ross]

Great topic! For me, I started with Cactus in southern Oregon as they were a natural with the low humidity and constant sun. After moving to Michigan with higher humidity, lower light levels and mites, I started losing them to red spider and mites. I used to grow orchids in the 1960s and my Dad grew orchids in his greenhouse as I was growing up. I have always considered them to be pretty easy (at least the types he introduced me to.) So I returned to orchids in the late 1970s in Michigan. Lost some, bought more, for a while until I got used to the environment I was most able to provide. I love the challenge, I love photographing them, I love the look on peoples' faces when they come in the house and see them, I love learning about some pretty exotic needs that a few have, and in general I just enjoy looking at them and trying to see what they will do next - send out new roots, send out new leaves, send up a spike. They amaze me. Since adding my Orchidarium, I have added new challenges and prefer to accept those challenges and see what it takes to keep the plants thriving.

[Chubidubi]

I started growing orchids just because they're beautiful and I wanted a new hobby. Little did I know that they were going to take over every second of my life. I'm so attracted to their exotic nature and colors.
I have no idea what it is that they have but I'm pretty sure they have super powers and they take over our minds

[Nico]

Wonderful thoughts! Thank you!

[Royal]

One other thought...

Life is short. Too short to not take the time to enjoy as many unique experiences as possible. Some people, no - most people will never get around to, or be able to travel to see any orchids in nature. A blooming orchid can be a once in a lifetime experience. Most people in my town will never see a blooming Stanhopea, or even our native Cypripedium. I'd like to see as many as possible before I go to the great Greenhouse in the sky.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

One other thought...

Life is short. Too short to not take the time to enjoy as many unique experiences as possible. Some people, no - most people will never get around to, or be able to travel to see any orchids in nature. A blooming orchid can be a once in a lifetime experience. Most people in my town will never see a blooming Stanhopea, or even our native Cypripedium. I'd like to see as many as possible before I go to the great Greenhouse in the sky.

Awsum, Royal! That is entirely correct. I guess I had taken for granted, that within 1/2 hour of my house I can view Showy Ladyslipper and Pink Ladyslipper in bloom. While I have seen Encyclia tampensis in bloom in Florida, it is just as rewarding (maybe moreso) to see it blooming in my home. Great response.