Hello from Wellsville NY - Orchid Board

lotusbird · #1 04-16-2018, 01:50 PM

Well, as promised, I am finally making a post in a more calm mode. I made my 1st post over in lighting where I was totally freaked out when my DH accidentally smashed my 4 ft. light setup, raining tiny glass shards and that horrid white powder stuff containing MERCURY all over my plants and everything else. Finally convinced that neither my orchids or myself are going to die from mercury poisioning I should make a proper introduction.
I am a plant fanatic, but only have been keeping orchids for aroung 2 yrs. I have learned so much, and being here I know I am going to learn a lot more!
My growing area is a 12x8 room (actually old porch that was attached to my 1915 victorian house) that was enclosed and we installed heat and new windows for my 60+ babies. Not really concentrating on any particular species, they are all so beautiful I would find that impossible. I live in a VERY rural area in the southern tier of western NY, little dinky hole-in-the-wall town of Wellsville. By some miracle, among the neighboring cows I actually found a HUMAN neighbor who has a greenhouse housing about 1000 orchids, and I'm sure you can guess the rest of the story.
I actually started out doing what is NOT recommended, buying rescue plants. Something to be said about that though, I am never more satisfied than when I can bring an ailing orchid back to health and hopefully bloom...
I do tend to get carried away at times though, this weekend
I went to an open house at my local (yeah right, 2 hrs. away) orchid grower, Marlow Orchids (check them out if you have a chance, beautiful, healthy orchids and the growers have 50+ yrs experience) and I got 8 new plants, which was fine but 4 were impulse buys of species I knew nothing about! I got lucky and have conditions suitable for all, still a bit nervous about the Dracula Lotax though...
I would love to show you my setup and some of my babies in bloom, not quite sure of how to post photos yet. Love this forum, so many knowledgeable folks!

Barbara

Mountaineer370 · #2 04-16-2018, 02:59 PM

Hi, Barbara. It's nice to make your acquaintance.

I have visited the Marlow's website often, and I think you're very lucky to be only a couple hours away from them. Having a dedicated growing area in your house as you describe sounds fabulous, as does having a neighbor with a greenhouse!

Dollythehun · #3 04-16-2018, 04:35 PM

I dunno, Cheri, I think she's lucky to have cows for neighbors. No junk in the yard, no drama...lol...

Welcome Barbara! I think I would have panicked over the lights, too. However, after 35 years, I have learned to put anything breakable far, far, away from any work being done!

For the most part we are a sociable bunch. For sure most of us ( present company excluded) are knowledgeable. But, you'll find the more you learn here, the less you may think you know, at least that's what happened to me. No doubt, you'll become a better grower! So welcome aboard!

charlesf6 · #4 04-16-2018, 07:49 PM

hello..helLO...HELLO!

estación seca · #5 04-16-2018, 10:43 PM

Welccome!

dshallpost · #6 04-30-2018, 08:38 AM

Hello Barbara, I am new here too and was interested in your post because I am a near neighbor, in Rochester, and you and I were probably both at Marlow's at the same time a few weeks ago. I am just starting to dive into all this but just got a big shock -- got a light meter and was so surprised to see how low my light levels are, even in my big south window. The cloud cover is almost always with us. What is your lighting situation? Are you using lights?

Geeksrejoyce · #7 04-30-2018, 09:13 AM

Hi Barbara! I’m so jealous you go to Marlow’s! It’s actually one of the first mail-order places I’ve ever ordered from and I’ve always wanted to see it in person. (There was an open house but I don’t drive).

I hope everything is sorted out with the Mercury business, how absolutely scary!

rbarata · #8 04-30-2018, 09:15 AM

Welcome, Barbara!

lotusbird · #9 05-15-2018, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dshallpost

Hello Barbara, I am new here too and was interested in your post because I am a near neighbor, in Rochester, and you and I were probably both at Marlow's at the same time a few weeks ago. I am just starting to dive into all this but just got a big shock -- got a light meter and was so surprised to see how low my light levels are, even in my big south window. The cloud cover is almost always with us. What is your lighting situation? Are you using lights?

Sorry I didn't get back to you right away, it's been so hectic around here...sure am familiar with that cloud cover. My dr. says almost everyone he sees has to take vitamin D because of the lack of sunlight here.
I don't have a light meter, kind of afraid to get 1 . My sunporch does get pretty bright though, I have 6 windows and an 8 ft all glass door in it. I do use supplemental lighting though, I have a 4 ft reflector and a small 2 ft one, also 1 of those square LED lights (45 watt I believe) and several of those single LED lights which I swear by, I have a 50 year old phal that just languished for years until I stuck it under 1 of those LEDs, in 2 weeks it got a big fat spike followed by 10 buds! I have some photos of my setup in the member displays forum if you want to take a peek...we should meet at Marlows next open house in the fall, always like to meet new people and chat about orchids!

Barbara

dshallpost · #10 05-16-2018, 08:49 AM

Hi Barbara,
Sounds like you have a lot of light and a lot of orchids! I have about half as much of both of those. Just ordered some LED fixtures and am looking forward to setting up a grow space in a 9x12 sauna that we never ever use. I will now have enough light and am already making lists of the new orchids I want to add. Yes, let me know if you are going to go to Marlow's at the next open house.