New member, new to orchids, first post, confessional

[Call_Me_Bob]

Those don't look half bad! The way you described it, I was picturing plants that were pretty close to dead. These look decently healthy!

[Tabbyblack13]

Welcome and good luck. Nursing sick orchids takes a lot of practices but I find that is good to do just incase one of your prize orchids get sick.

I like rescuing orchids from Lowes but since I have such little room I'm getting picky.


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[My Green Pets]

They look good! Chop off all those old spikes, let'em grow leaves and roots all spring and summer, and next fall you should have a spike-o-rama!

[Subrosa]

Hello and welcome! While practically everybody starts with Phals because of their easy availability, they're not the best orchid for every growing situation. It's easier to grow orchids suited to the conditions you have as opposed to changing conditions to suit certain plants. Work with those cold dry winters and look for species that require a cool dry rest. There are plenty! Check out some online vendors. Good luck with your rescues!

[RosieC]

You are right, or in my case a few plants that are prone to keiki

[Optimist]

After one big spree I have limited myself to 3 big ones (100 dollars approx) per year. I guess it all depends on your situation. I would hate to put all that money into some variety I regularly killed.

[Leafmite]

I started with two that someone gave me as gifts and then the rest of my first orchids were all rescues...all rootless wonders. They taught me quiet a bit about growing orchids.

[nofickenway]

thank you for all the encouragement - they don't look half bad from the top up - BUT the roots on almost all are in rought shape (except one). I had to cut away quite a few soggy brown roots and all but that one have few left to rely on. I expect some losses, but am pretty excited to see if I can maintain some so I can see what kind of blossoms I get...

I also appreciate hearing from someone who has raised orchids here - am looking forward to the show in March - also going to a seminar at a local nursery this weekend where there are expected to be a number of nice orchids - I was just there buying medium and saw that they already have some nice paphs, cymbidium and dendrobiums on hand but I resisted...

---------- Post added at 12:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I started with two that someone gave me as gifts and then the rest of my first orchids were all rescues...all rootless wonders. They taught me quiet a bit about growing orchids.

that's exactly what I am going for - if nothing else, a learning experience that can only help...

[Leafmite]

Have fun at the orchid show!

[Optimist]

My first orchid buy was at the Westgate Mall in 1999 in Omaha. Bought an Ondontobrassia Kenneth Bivens and an unrembered Dendrobium. I killed both of them through ignorance. I was highly impressed by the orchid society there. A LOT of excellent people. The one thing I do like about orchid groups is that they know what grows best in your area without fancy greenhouse equipment.