Questions concerning Orchidwiz

[quietmorning]

To all those people out there that use Orchidwiz:

I've seen people refer to Orchidwiz here OB - and looked it up on the net to see what it was. Heh, then I looked at the price - not pricey as far as established computer programs are concerned - but not cheap, either.

The program is up to date for a year (according to what I see here) are there updates to existing programs that are less expensive? Or do you have to buy the new updated version every year?

When would you suggest purchase for a newbie? Did you find it something that really improved your education by light years - quickly? Or is it something that should wait until the person is well established in the orchids? (hobby or otherwise)

Is there a comparable cheaper program out there? Does it work as well?

I'm drooling over the information it has available, but I don't want to buy something I won't use substantially when I'm going to concentrate on phals and dendrobiums - is this thinking reasonable? Or would it really benefit me as a new orchid grower? (Thinking about my last orchid death.)

Does it cover diseases, injuries, pests and give good pics concerning those things - and what to do in each scenerio?

I think that covers it for now -

Thanks!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Have you tried Charles and Margaret Baker's Orchid Culture Sheets? They're inexpensive and very informative.

Orchid Culture - Charles and Margaret Baker

[Becca]

I'm probably not much help. I'm a beginner grower of about two years and I bought Orchid Wiz last October. If I remember correctly, the program came with one free update, and updates are quarterly. If you want to maintain the quarterly updates, you can purchase the annual update program for an additional $80 or $90, or at least that is how much it was when I purchased the annual update program. I find that I don't use the program as often as I would like, mainly because my main computer (an older mac laptop) is not able to support running the program. But on my next computer (if I can stop buying orchids) I should be able to run the program on it, so I am saving my 2nd license for it. But what I am curious about is, do I have to install all of the updates I received since my disk will be an older version. And what if I change one of my computers after I have had both licenses activated....do I have to purchase another license? Anyways, those are just some questions I have been pondering but to lazy to email Alex about...lol.

I guess I mainly just find it fun to look up various orchids I am growing and look at all the info and pictures that are provided. In my opinion, it seems most of the fertilizing recommendations are about the same for most orchids, but maybe I just haven't look at enough profiles...lol. It also seems that OrchidWiz uses information from the Charles and Margaret Baker culture sheets. So if you are looking to save money, maybe that would be a better way to go as previously recommended. But I would say get the program....it's soooo much fun!


Ohh....and I almost forgot, a cool feature coming out this month is that there will be an orchid journal of some sorts that will allow you to keep track of what 'chids you have....I'm so jacked! I can't wait!

[camille1585]

Orchidwiz is a really great program, I love it!
For your first question, once you buy the initial program, you can either update it at a later date for $125, or get the annual update plan for $80, where you get all four annual updates plus any new versions of Orchidwiz that may come out that year. I got the annual plan, because the new OW coming out in a few weeks will have a journaling feature, where you can enter your own orchids in it. Not sure exactly how it works and if it's possible to link the list to the culture pages, but it sounds awesome!

As for the info on it, it's not a orchid care encyclopedia. You will not find info on pests, diseases, how to repot, etc. The program is mainly detailed culture info and award info. The culture info is much more extensive for the species than for the hybrids, but for the hybrids you have parentage/breeding info, which species compose it... The thing I really like is all the photos!
BTW, almost all of the species culture info comes from the Baker sheets.

I won my copy of OW in an OB contest in November, and was surprised as how useful I found it! But I got it right at the time I was starting to diversify my collection, and needed help in selecting some easy species to grow. Every time I get a new plant (which seems to be often these days), first thing I do it check OW. I really don't know if it's good for a beginner since I already had nearly 2 years of growing behind me when I got it, but at least in my case it took my growing 2 steps further. I have a better grip on what each plant needs. I think it also depends on your thirst for knowledge. I use OW several times a week now, since I also look up plants I like that I see on OB.

Have you tried out the demo available on the website? That might help you decide. There are other orchid programs too, but I don't know them at all.

[John D.]

I am with Camille - Orchidwiz rocks. They have a agreement with the Bakers, all the culture sheets are there temps, water requirments, natural habitat info etc. Awards, geneology, registered crosses are updated in the quarterly updates. The only things missing are the AOS award photos. The photos they have are good however.

[quietmorning]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Have you tried Charles and Margaret Baker's Orchid Culture Sheets? They're inexpensive and very informative.

Orchid Culture - Charles and Margaret Baker

No, I hadn't seen this before - but I will definitely check it out, it looks like a very good resource. And, yes, much less expensive. I think I would feel more comfortable with something like this right now considering my newbieness.

Thanks!!

[quietmorning]

Originally Posted by Becca

It also seems that OrchidWiz uses information from the Charles and Margaret Baker culture sheets. So if you are looking to save money, maybe that would be a better way to go as previously recommended. But I would say get the program....it's soooo much fun!

Hi, Becca, the orchid journal sounds wonderful! I was wondering how on earth I was going to be able to keep track of things! That's an eventually, though. I discussed this with my husband - seems the best plan is to start out with the orchid sheets, and then as my collection grows and I'm secure in it, I'll purchase the orchidwiz. Thanks for the info!!

[quietmorning]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Orchidwiz is a really great program, I love it!
For your first question, once you buy the initial program, you can either update it at a later date for $125, or get the annual update plan for $80, where you get all four annual updates plus any new versions of Orchidwiz that may come out that year. I got the annual plan, because the new OW coming out in a few weeks will have a journaling feature, where you can enter your own orchids in it. Not sure exactly how it works and if it's possible to link the list to the culture pages, but it sounds awesome!

As for the info on it, it's not a orchid care encyclopedia. You will not find info on pests, diseases, how to repot, etc. The program is mainly detailed culture info and award info. The culture info is much more extensive for the species than for the hybrids, but for the hybrids you have parentage/breeding info, which species compose it... The thing I really like is all the photos!
BTW, almost all of the species culture info comes from the Baker sheets.

I won my copy of OW in an OB contest in November, and was surprised as how useful I found it! But I got it right at the time I was starting to diversify my collection, and needed help in selecting some easy species to grow. Every time I get a new plant (which seems to be often these days), first thing I do it check OW. I really don't know if it's good for a beginner since I already had nearly 2 years of growing behind me when I got it, but at least in my case it took my growing 2 steps further. I have a better grip on what each plant needs. I think it also depends on your thirst for knowledge. I use OW several times a week now, since I also look up plants I like that I see on OB.

Have you tried out the demo available on the website? That might help you decide. There are other orchid programs too, but I don't know them at all.

Thanks, Camille! I like the update choices, that's good - I'd probably go for the annual as well - just makes sense.

My husband and I were talking about it, and no matter how I go about it - the information is important to make sure I purchase orchids that can actually thrive in this environment (or if they can't, I'll know and can plan for that BEFORE the purchase.) That in itself will allow it to pay for itself.

Thank you for letting me know that it does not deal with pests and disease. That's a biggy. . .I'll make sure I get that information from somewhere else.

[quietmorning]

Originally Posted by John D.

I am with Camille - Orchidwiz rocks. They have a agreement with the Bakers, all the culture sheets are there temps, water requirments, natural habitat info etc. Awards, geneology, registered crosses are updated in the quarterly updates. The only things missing are the AOS award photos. The photos they have are good however.

I was wondering if the Baker Sheets had photo's since the samples don't show them. Guess they do.

I've decided to get the Orchidwiz in the future, but not now, I'm going to let the Baker Sheets take me a little ways until I have enough 'nerve' and enough space to justify the expense. I'm excited. . .I feel like I'm getting the info I'll need. . .and I'm SUCH an info hog!!

Thanks, John!

[cb977]

Hi Beth

Orchidwiz is just wonderful and I can't imagine not having it but...it is a bit of an expense. When your collection gets larger and you get more inquisitive about the background of your chids, then you might want to look into getting the program. Last year, Alex (creator of OW) offered the folks here at OB a great discount during the Christmas season. Keep an eye out for any future deals

In the meantime, if you need info on a chid, post your questions here on OB...many of us have OW and are willing to help out our fellow members