I fell in love and jumped in head first!
 

I just wanted to take a moment and introduce myself! I've been a hobby grower for almost two years now. I was bitten by the orchid bug hard. I fell in love with my first rebloom and then when I started learning about all the different types of orchids I fell into the deep end.

As of now I have 68 different orchids, a lot are seedlings but I am enjoying the challenge. It's been fun learning, at times challenging to the point I was in frustrated tears over the loss of a plant, but all of it has just ignited a passion for growing. I grow under lights and some outside in the spring/summer

I know Phals are somewhat viewed as the boring beginner orchids but honestly they're so elegant and beautiful that I looked forward to their blooms. I've got hybrids, species (I discovered a love of schilleriana) and a bunch of novelty seedlings. I love catts with their to die for blooms and fragrance and the oncidium alliance to steadily climbing the ranks. My favorite is Charles M Fitch 'Izumi' I haven't bloomed one yet but I'm waiting patiently. I have exactly two dendrobiums and I haven't had to overwinter them yet and it makes me a bit nervous. I have exactly two vanda/vandaceous orchids which considering I'm in south GA I have a good climate for them.

I plan to join the american orchid society this winter. I keep spending the hobby allowance on new orchids. I'm also very interested in joining the local orchid society, which for me would be Deep South Orchid Society out of Savannah, GA but I am two hours away. Jacksonville, FL would be another option as I'm two hours away from there in the opposite direction. I'm not really sure how it works as far as if you have to make the monthly meetings every month or if it's okay to miss a few. That's a bit of a drive, but on the small chance anyone here is a part of either, please reach out to me.

I figured I'd sign off showing my newest bloom. Can't wait to meet new friends here! https://i.ibb.co/LQvKL02/IMG-5758.jpg

First, Welcome!

Orchid societies are full of friendly people, eager to share their knowledge, successes (and failures). There's no better way to gain priceless local knowledge. Don't worry about missing some meetings. Nobody is taking attendance as a criterion for membership. Some societies have even continued the Zoom option along with the live meetings (don't know if either of your nearby clubs have done it) . It can be a handy way to at least hear the speaker when you can't attend though live contact is much better of course when you want to get to know people.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Orchid Board! I have never heard of any orchid society that has mandatory attendance at meetings. I belong to the Ann Arbor Orchid Society, and since Covid, we have continued the option of attending meetings online for those who cannot come in person. Definitely look into that possibility with either of the societies you are thinking about. :)

Welcome,and as you can already see,there is a lot of commoradity in this forum and probably any other you join. The worse problem is finding enough time for them all. At least thats my biggest one
Good to have you onboard:waving

Your story seems to be pretty common.... :)

:waving Hello and welcome!

I love how your collection has grown quickly, be warned, we're all terrible enablers!