Newbie with Orchid fever!

[jehane]

Hello all! My boyfriend and I just got into orchids, and we are hooked.

We have two phals, a vanda cross, a mini oncidium and now a brassavola (still in bag....debating potting versus mounting.....).

we feel okay with the potting on the phals (okay, as okay as a newbie can be) and the mini, but we are wanting to know about ounting options for the brassavola (a little marmaid 'janet' - not blooming) and whether to mount the vanda or hang in slotted wood basket.

as you can see, we tend to be enthusiastic.
we have set up two flourescent lighting systems with times, and have a temp gauge and humidity meter.

I'll post our list (with what info we have) and pics. Since these were all bought at big box stores, a couple seem to have some problems with overwatering (esp the phals)

anyway, I'll be posting my many questions here, as you all see so friendly and knowledgable.

I'm always open for video chat and skype, and can't wait to get input.

Many thanks in advance, can't wait to get more involved.

p.s. - i am a horrible typist.

[camille1585]

and welcome to Orchidboard!
It looks like you are well on your way to orchid addiction.You'll see, you won' be able to stop buying them! I'm sure you'll have lots of fun here looking at photos and learning all sorts of new stuff about orchids.
For your Vanda, I think lots of people in Florida grow them wooden baskets. You can go check out the Vanda forum to see what other people do.

[cb977]

Hi and welcome to Orchidboard

What you're calling a Brassavola is actually a Bc Little Mermaid 'Janet', which is actually Brassocattleya (or used to be until they changed it again! but that's another story )

I know of folks who have Bc's mounted but I think the majority of folks would agree that potting it would be the way to go. Your vanda can do very well here in a basket with nothing, or with some bark or Epiweb to hold it in place. I also have a number of vandas just attached to a hanger with no basket at all.

Keep in mind, anything that you have mounted or hanging takes a little more time and effort to care for. Here in Florida, during the warm months...okay, most of the year , my mounts and vandas get heavily misted at least twice a day.

If you need help with anything, let us know. The folks here are the best!

What part of Florida are you in?

[Satinrose_BC]

Welcome to the friendlist and very informative site. I am new here too and spend time just reading all the posts. I am sure any question will be answered by one of the experts. Enjoy and dont worry about the typing...lol.

[gmdiaz]

Hello & Welcome!

Lots of reading available here. . .have fun, learn a lot and just dive in!

[jehane]

Originally Posted by cb977

Hi and welcome to Orchidboard

What part of Florida are you in?

We're in the panhandle....

thanks for the welcome al!

[Ashley]

Hi and welcome I am a newbie with the addition too I have gone from having 1 to 11 in just a few weeks

I am in the Uk and I have my 3 vandas in vases as we still need the heating on over hear at the moment and mine are in the house its difficult to mist without ruining the decor. But I was recommended this solution by a grower and so far its working great.

Kat

[jehane]

Originally Posted by cb977

Hi and welcome to Orchidboard

What you're calling a Brassavola is actually a Bc Little Mermaid 'Janet', which is actually Brassocattleya (or used to be until they changed it again! but that's another story )

I know of folks who have Bc's mounted but I think the majority of folks would agree that potting it would be the way to go. Your vanda can do very well here in a basket with nothing, or with some bark or Epiweb to hold it in place. I also have a number of vandas just attached to a hanger with no basket at all.

Keep in mind, anything that you have mounted or hanging takes a little more time and effort to care for. Here in Florida, during the warm months...okay, most of the year , my mounts and vandas get heavily misted at least twice a day.

If you need help with anything, let us know. The folks here are the best!

What part of Florida are you in?

To Susanne B
Thanks for the janet reply - I read more about the bc's. I ultimately decided to pot her in a very large particle drainage mix in a wooden slatted box (some gravel and lots of large bark, etc.) My BF doesn't understand why staking is necessary on the three main stalks (she already has her front one coming!) Since I've repotted her from her purchase bag, I have kept her dry and just misted the top bark for general moisture. Sound good? nd I came up with an interesting solution to my vanda - pictures to post later today.... thanks!

[jehane]

Originally Posted by Ashley

Hi and welcome I am a newbie with the addition too I have gone from having 1 to 11 in just a few weeks

I am in the Uk and I have my 3 vandas in vases as we still need the heating on over hear at the moment and mine are in the house its difficult to mist without ruining the decor. But I was recommended this solution by a grower and so far its working great.

Kat

I read your post and switched our vanda to a glass vase....and he loves it!! Thanks for the idea!! I got two more orchids since this post....us newbies have the fever bad it seems......look for pictures tonight in my profile.
-Lesha

[cb977]

us newbies have the fever bad it seems

LOL...we ALL have it bad!

We've renamed our addiction...it is now known as OAD...
Orchid Acquisition Disorder