What I've learned on the Orchid Board

[SydneyH]

I've been on the Orchid Board about a week now and I've learned so much. So I thought I would list a few highlights.

- First I've learned that I hate moss. I don't mind a little moss mixed in with the bark but total moss and rainy weather means the plants don't dry out for weeks. My new Maxillaria Tenufolia can stay in moss since he's got so much new growth he must like it. Everyone else is coming out.

- A baby orchid coming off of the mother orchid is a keiki.

- Even though my orchids are in a very bright room, they could probably use a little more light and moved a little closer to the windows. I've been aiming for nice dark green leaves. That makes healthy leaves but not necessarily flowers.

- It's okay to trim away any dead or rotted roots when you repot. I didn't do that for my first repot. Putting cinnamon on cut roots was also new for me.

- There are fragrant orchids that smell like bacon and others that smell like poo or dead stuff, in addition to the ones that smell nice. I had to laugh at some of the descriptions in the fragrant orchid thread. There's something about a bacon orchid that makes me want one.

Thanks for all of the information and helpful atmosphere here.

Sydney