New to Posting - Mostly New to Site - Orchid Board

Kai Adamson · #1 03-02-2011, 01:49 AM

Been registered for a while but somehow forgot I had a voice!

I'm fairly new to orchids, having only been infected with this deliciously loathsome fever since last spring or so. It was a phalenopsis that did it, actually - or rather its untimely death.

You see, I live in prime orchid country. I just didn't know it until recently. So, after my orchid-curious fiancee dragged me into a now-defunct local orchid dealer and I saw those exotic, luscious and sometimes hauntingly fragrant little buggers I thought, "What the hell." In minutes I was the proud owner of a white phalenopsis in all its silken, recklessly blooming glory. But, failing to notice the obvious signs of crown rot and knowing less than nothing about orchid culture, I promptly killed it.

That might have been the end of my affliction had it not been for the internet. You see, I hate killing things - be it fish or flower. I became obsessed with my own failure. "What did I do wrong?" I wondered. This being the 21st century, I hit the web and found some clues. Hours passed. Before I knew it I was buying books on orchid culture - with the only one I 'owned' rotting away in the company of empty wine bottles and banana peels! I couldn't help it. I had to make it up to them - the orchids....or something.

Soon after that I wound up at a local orchid show. A whole new world of fever awaited me there - and no one ever warned me. Not even a hint. What chance did I have? The blasted bug was airborne now. When the lemon and honey-cream fragrance of Sedirea japonica hit my nostrils it might as well have been crack. I was done for. I won't even try to describe the bizarre, mind-altered state I entered when I saw my first Neofinetia falcata.

I now own 21 orchids - wait make that 23. Forgot about the two Darwinara Charms we bought from Seed Engei a few days ago. Please...someone tell me there's hope. Really though, I have to ask myself: Even if its for the best, do I even want to be cured? Do any of us?

Kai A.

RosieC · #2 03-02-2011, 04:13 AM

Welcome to Orchid Board Kai,

Sounds like the bug has bitten good and hard

but no... we don't want to be cured do we

Discus · #3 03-02-2011, 07:06 AM

Heh! Welcome Kei!

My own collection has (in the last 3 months...) expanded (exploded?) from six to sixty odd!

Fortunately, I have some sanity in my life, as my girlfriend looks at me and asks WHERE THE HELL they're going to go, when I get that "ZOMG, look at this plant I MUST HAVE IT" look in my eye...

I had to order some (under the radar) for the office to "keep me company" there the other day. When you do that, you know you're done for! Of course, the secret is out and she was more upset that they're not at home...

camille1585 · #4 03-02-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discus

I had to order some (under the radar) for the office to "keep me company" there the other day. When you do that, you know you're done for! Of course, the secret is out and she was more upset that they're not at home...

Kai, this type of thing happens to way too many of us. There's no way to ease into orchids gently, the 'disease' hits you hard, and fast!

So what kind of orchids do you have? Just a big mixture of things?

WhiteRabbit · #5 03-02-2011, 10:17 PM

welcome!

Zoi2 · #6 03-02-2011, 10:19 PM

Hello and welcome!
Joann

Kai Adamson · #7 03-03-2011, 02:07 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

Hi Camille,

I have a motley crew of random nursery stock - nearly all of them impulse buys. However, I find myself becoming more and more interested in Japanese orchids. Specifically, Neofinetia falcata.

Actually, I may be taking on more than I should. Our growing conditions are such that moss mounds are quick to rot - no matter how much I try to adjust the environment through airflow, light levels and watering regimen. So I've begun to experiment with S/H - despite the mixed results that others here have had with Neos in that culture.

I guess the S/H forum will be my next stop.

Kai A.

Discus · #8 03-03-2011, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

Kai, this type of thing happens to way too many of us. There's no way to ease into orchids gently, the 'disease' hits you hard, and fast!

This morning, sitting in my inbox was a post from my Orchid Society with the latest pricelist from plantae.co.za attached, with a note that not only would they be delivered at the next meeting (where one of the owners is talking about "blue" orchids), but also that there is a 10% discount.

How can you resist that!??!!!

My girlfriend got the email before I did and gave me the Look.

camille1585 · #9 03-03-2011, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discus

This morning, sitting in my inbox was a post from my Orchid Society with the latest pricelist from plantae.co.za attached, with a note that not only would they be delivered at the next meeting (where one of the owners is talking about "blue" orchids), but also that there is a 10% discount.

How can you resist that!??!!!

My girlfriend got the email before I did and gave me the Look.

LOLOL! Just give her the "you can't stop me" look. How can you resist a 10% discount????

Discus · #10 03-03-2011, 05:02 AM

And no postage/courier fee!

I'll give her the "I saw your post about getting another rat cage" look in return later on

(The one we have is big enough that she'll fit inside when it doesn't have the shelves in, at least when she'd crouched)!

She has a point about the space thing, but she definitely mentioned something about getting rid of a chair on the balcony to make more room... heh.

Anyway - we're derailing poor Kai's thread so I'll stop here.

Kai: Run. Run whilst you still can! (Towards the orchids, of course!).