Dilemma- 2 vendors, same plant (Purple Martin) help!

[Cookiemonster]

GMDiaz, I appreciate your input , if I could kindly ask if you could possibly take quick pictures for me, to see their size, as its really hard to see online. Possibly comparing it to another orchid, or just show us your order overall let me know ....
After you mentioning small size last night, I was like oh blah I wont order lol, and now well I've got two lemmings on hand.

[gmdiaz]

I was already working on getting pictures for you! LOL

Purple Martin KS from Big Leaf Orchids

Condition received 12/22/07
And today 04/20/08

It's still in it's baby pot. . .about 2-1/2" pot in sphagnum with a few seedling-sized, bark chips.

[Cookiemonster]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh its so incredibly cute and healthy! Im surprised!! I can see how small it is in the second picture compared to another orchid
Do they manage to get larger with age or are they just petite in size... ?
Thank you so much for your input, if I do end up getting it, Im gonna be looking at it everyday demanding it to start blooming lol
Thanks!!

[gmdiaz]

Originally Posted by Cookiemonster

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh its so incredibly cute and healthy! Im surprised!! I can see how small it is in the second picture compared to another orchid
Do they manage to get larger with age or are they just petite in size... ?
Thank you so much for your input, if I do end up getting it, Im gonna be looking at it everyday demanding it to start blooming lol
Thanks!!

See. . .it's adorable!

I think it will get quite a bit larger but not a biggie. I am sort of expecting it to be a little on the small size. Be fun to find out.

I think mine is just now getting to an age to start thinking about blooming. . .this season or next, I am guessing.

The Phal. in the background is a Dtps. too, Taida Pearl. So it could get that big?

I am thinking that Peter keeps his plants in a nice aerated greenhouse with good humidity. . .the roots are so green, not a dried up a bit anywhere. So if you do get one you really need to keep it in a good environment.

By good I mean: 50-60% humidity, intermediate temps, good air circulation. and bright, diffused light. I also really like to use MSU fertilizer very lightly and add a bit of the KLN. Works very well!

Wishing you all the best growing! Hope you decide to get one of these.

[Cookiemonster]

One last question for you, since I have far too many
Are you growing yours in your house, or in a greenhouse? Im sure that would make a difference, secondly, how often do you water it?...
I guess my greatest challenge is watering, there is very little consistency cause I have all mine (still in sphagnum moss) but will be moving over to fine bark/coconut husk.
Do you have any advice?

I dont have a greenhouse, a do have a humidifier, and Im planning on getting a humidity tray, would that work okay?...

[gmdiaz]

I bought a super coolio growing rack. . .just a little shelf with a rounded top and covered in plastic. It wasn't expensive. Actually, I am thinking about buying another one here pretty soon. lol To this rack, I've added T5 lights and two fans, and a froggie humidifier. Works like a charm, set in front of a big window.

Juliana Grow Racks

Where I live, in Colorado, the humidity is nearly zilch. I am not kidding, my hygrometer reads NOTHING. So I have to grow in an aquarium terrarium, an Exo Tank and a grow shelf. I also grow Phals, pretty well, at work where I have a plant shelf with a humidifer.

Knowing when to water and when not is not an easy thing to learn. . .everything is changing all the time.

Just work on being a really keen observer. You've got to develop a feel for what is the right amount of water. I think you can get away with watering a lot less (erring on the safe side) if you keep your plants in otherwise really good conditions.

Oh, and I only use RO water. . .reverse osmosis. I have a lot of minerals in my well water.

[Cookiemonster]

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it..
If you think you have zero humidity you need to come to Arizona haha, its far worse here, I think that may be a factor which is making my phals rather unhappy... I'll be getting new filter for my humidifier and getting it up and running soon I think that might make them and my skin happier!
That does look relatively inexpensive, I currently dont want anything TOO big, as I might be moving to another apartment soon and possibly across the country so I'll wait...
I think with orchids you need a good degree of stability financially and geographically to keep them happy.
Moving, traveling and such are not positive factors I take it---

[Cookiemonster]

Gwen, if you have pics of your set-up I'd love to see them too while we're on the topic!

[gmdiaz]

Let's see. . .here's a couple of pics.

My aquarium where I am keeping Phal babies, at the moment. I have just grow lights and a fan in there.

And my work plant stand. . .quite a while ago. I have MANY more orchids now.

[Cookiemonster]

Oh wow both at home and work!!! lovely!!!
It must be so nice to have such beauty hanging around you.

On a side note::

I get yelled at when I tell my mom Im considering buying more orchids s (Im in college btw, finally graduating! )
she's like you already have enough ( I have 3 lol ), but I bought several vandas months ago that I've decided to donate to the orchid society since I know Im not capable financially to donate to their needs (greenhouse conditions in an apt). - that makes sense right?...
I mean I understand her logic, Im not as stable as many other orchid growers, as I'll be moving soon to a new apartment and who knows after that years down the line if I'll be located regionally or internationally...
I mean here in AZ there are a few younger growers in their 30's, but most were in their 50's +...
So I do feel somewhat out of place.
I will only be growing phals from now on w/ my conditions, would buying 2 be a bad idea ? lol