[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.