Mom had houseplants as I was growing up and always seemed to have a green thumb. I blame her for my houseplant addiction
She never kept orchids though.
Through friend I became fascinated with carnivorous plants. I had never had good luck with venus flytraps and was ignorant of the many varieties of pitcher plants before that. After becoming aware of their needs I found them extremely easy to grow and soon had a collection of pitcher plants that are amazing.
Orchids, while beautiful still seemed out of reach. There was no way I was going to pay $20 for a plant that would give a flower that faded in a week (my experience up to that point
) and then looked plain unless you had the extensive knowledge needed to make it bloom again.
I finally got the opportunity to try orchids the first time a little over a year ago after buying some at work that had lost their blooms and were marked down to $1 each. The poor things (phalenopsis) looked dehydrated so I brought the home and soaked the well and repeatedly and ... of course... killed them. After reading up I figured out what I had done so I tried again at the next opportunity. These fared much better and lived although I was still overwatering. They didn't flower though until while moving, I put them in an east facing basement window and didn't have time to over care for them. When I did get back to them there were lovely emerging buds on the spikes! I have now fallen in love with the gorgeous long-lasting blooms and uniquely adapted plants
It wasn't long until I had the opportunity to add sone cane orchids to my collection since they carry them in the floral department as well. They have done well too although not as well as my phalenopsis despite my best efforts although I do have flowers on one that I broke down and purchased at full price that have been there for a month now. None of the cane orchids seem to be growing though. I hope they will do better now that I have discoved this forum.
What prompted me to find you guys though is my recent aquisition of several orchids I have no prior experience with. I had, for some time, been lusting after several of the varieties of bagged "Better-Gro" branded orchids at my local Lowes. The price was steep though at $15 a plant to try something new and I couldn't decide which one I wanted. My down fall came last night when I discovered all of them on the discount rack.
I am now the proud caretaker of 14 new orchid plants (with some duplicates on varietiy). I hope to lose as few as possible since they all look like they will be lovely. I will be doing much research to futher that goal
Hello :) Newbie with recently trippled collection here :)
Welcome to OB Raihana! You will fit right in as you are obviously well on your way to being an orchid addict. I'm sure you will find lots of wonderful help on OB.
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