hello, new from norcal

[deathofregret]

oh yes, i could be in serious trouble with this place. my husband is already exasperated with my new obsession, but how could you not love these beautiful plants? i'm trying to bone up my knowledge on the cheap and easy orchids before i purchase anything more expensive - no desire to kill any plants here!

too bad about the phals, though it does make sense. the onc. does look like a cross with an odontoglossum, which explains the pretty curving on the lower lip. and the other onc. absolutely looks like a sweet sugar - i think you're right on! thanks!

where do you get your orchids in the south bay?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by deathofregret

oh yes, i could be in serious trouble with this place. my husband is already exasperated with my new obsession, but how could you not love these beautiful plants? i'm trying to bone up my knowledge on the cheap and easy orchids before i purchase anything more expensive - no desire to kill any plants here!

too bad about the phals, though it does make sense. the onc. does look like a cross with an odontoglossum, which explains the pretty curving on the lower lip. and the other onc. absolutely looks like a sweet sugar - i think you're right on! thanks!

where do you get your orchids in the south bay?

I have a number or orchids from Trader Joe's also, a few from Orchard Supply Hardware - not sure if you have them in Fairfield ... And have got some at Summerwinds nursery. I also attended my first orchid shows last year! Shows are awesome orchid shopping Have got some off ebay - there are a number of good sellers there, but plenty not so good too - so if you go that route it's good to ask on the board if people have experience with the seller. Oh and have got some at Costco too.

Trader Joe's frequently has tagged plants - but not always lol

[deathofregret]

the milt. was tagged, which was nice, but none of the phals i've purchased through trader joe's have been tagged. boo. there was a lovely little young lady slipper there a few weeks ago that i should have grabbed, but i didn't. the milt. looks super young, too - any advice for taking care of a baby? i think we have an orchard supply store around here, i'll have to check. great suggestion!

which shows did you attend? the orchid world can be a little difficult to break into, i'm discovering!

- h

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by deathofregret

the milt. was tagged, which was nice, but none of the phals i've purchased through trader joe's have been tagged. boo. there was a lovely little young lady slipper there a few weeks ago that i should have grabbed, but i didn't. the milt. looks super young, too - any advice for taking care of a baby? i think we have an orchard supply store around here, i'll have to check. great suggestion!

which shows did you attend? the orchid world can be a little difficult to break into, i'm discovering!

- h

Oh I have no objection to pretty untagged (noid = No I.D.) orchids - I have a number of them
different stores may have different suppliers, but being in nor-cal, they may have the same suppliers. I found that the OSH in downtown San Jose frequently had nice plants in 3" pots (they are priced by pot size, and 3" - $10 - so can be a good deal) but the store closer to me not so much - mostly bigger pots costing over $20. Also the store near me has the orchids outdoors - sheltered, but still the plants look worse for wear a lot. The downtown store has mmost of the orchids inside the store so they were in better shape.

I went to the Pacific Orchid Exposition in SF - I think it's the largest show on the west coast - I definitely recommend going! And a smaller show held in a mall.
There are probably some local orchid societies in your area holding shows - likely in a mall. I think I have something bookmarked that has some events - I have to look for it

I have the same milt, also quite small, but if it's bloom size it shouldn't require any special care - don't let it dry out completely, and moderately bright light. Mine get some morning sun.