Hi from Holland - Orchid Board

uffe3667 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 05:32 PM

Some of you may have noticed me on other orchid boards, but this site has given me so much new information i decided to register here here to, so here it go's.
I'm Erik and I'm from Holland. I think I've been around orchids all my life. From my grandparents having a couple (then, 40 years ago very expensive) imported plants, to my father still having around 40, and myself killing each one i occasionally got on a birthday. Also the location does not help. I live in the middle of "het Westland" often called the flower and vegetable garden of Europe. ( just google map " westland orchidee", do check the scale of the map as Holland is a tiny country) and imagine the temptations lurking around . Recently i "inherited" some phalaenopsis from my dad as he was lacking space. With the help of this forum i hope to keep these alive. I think i already know most of my mistakes from the past by just browsing these forums for a couple of day's ( lots of water, replanting in normal potting soil, closed pots, basically everything to kill as fast as possible. Also fascinated by the different cultures and climates described in all the posts. Growing in sphagnum: have not seen that over here in 20 years, growing outside: eeeeh i do not think so with an average temperature of 59F. Looking forward on reading and learning.
Greets Erik

cb977 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 05:58 PM

Hi and

59 isn't so bad...I only bring my chids in fromoutside when we're going under 50 F.
Of course, they'd be much much happier (and so would I) if the temps were in the 80s but we still have a few weeks to go for that

Hope to see you around the board. If you need help, just ask...the folks here are the friendliest folks around. They all know so mmuch and I learn something new here every day.

uffe3667 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 06:08 PM

And lets see if i can get some pictures into this.
Colmanara massai splash

Various Phalaenopsis.

uffe3667 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 07:18 PM

Thanks for the welcome cb977.
Average 59f means swings between - 20c/-4f to +31c/86f and temperatures below 59 f most of the year. Sow growing outside is not an option, for most, if any orchid.
So unfortunately I'm stuck with growing on the window still with an occasional few days outside when we have warm weather.
Greets, Erik

cb977 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 07:31 PM

I see

We have members here that grow wonderful orchids on their windowsills

Country Gramma · #6 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 11:24 PM

I understand the cold weather, too. So I grow under lights. No good windows...only north ones good in summer for Phals.

Great orchids BTW.

Welcome to OB it IS the greatest forum on the WWW.

Karen

Zoi2 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-27-2009, 12:10 AM

Hello Erik and welcome to the OB. You'v got some lovely orchids.
Joann

Joanie · #8 (**permalink**) 12-27-2009, 01:50 AM

Welcome to the orchid board. It's nice hearing from someone in Holland.

trdyl · #9 (**permalink**) 12-27-2009, 02:49 AM

Erik, Welcome to the OB!

RosieC · #10 (**permalink**) 12-27-2009, 06:40 AM

Welcome to Orchid Board. I grow on the windowsill mostly as well, although I have a couple of new orchids which I'm told can go outside in the summer here.

The main problem with windowsill growing is that you soon run out of space... well if you are anything like me you do anyway!