Hi! I am a total novice when it comes to this site but not to growing orchids. I started many years ago when I was still living on the West Coast - LA - South Bay area and used to be in the South Bay Orchid Society many many moons ago. My job took me to the East Coast - DC area - and due to immense job stress just wasn't able to resume my favorite hobby until veyt recently!



I am so happy that I started up again and am now trying to resume with the additction. I used ot have a greenhouse in LA - not now. I just strarted shifting gears again and my window sills are filling up again! But I hate not having a greenhouse and not being able to mist to my full enjoyment! When I used to do my morning misting I felt all the cobwebs going out of my tense brain!



But...



There is hope and the hobby is alive and growing!



At present I have quite a baby collection compared to what I am used to. I have 6-7 phals...4-5 odonts....2 cymbidiums - one pendulous - (I will need to get advice on how to kick these puppies into bloom w/o a greenhouse...)...lete's see what else...I just bought an ocidium, a brda, and an epicat. I have decided to just try a few members of the various orchid flavors to see what I can do with them in limited townhouse and condo space. And then there is the winter....hmmm...for someone who loves the beach and was born in Brasil from a Dutch-Indonesian family....well - it is cruel! I love the sun. ALL THE TIME... Need I say more.



And another thing is that I am such a duh when it comed to this site. I tried ot introduce myself two trimes but failed. Then I went to the orchid chat and was all alone (I read a schedule somewhere but I forgot when the room fills up...I think maybe tonight at 8 pm or so...)



I will have to make an appearance.





In any case...I hope you don't mind that I am being so forward and just sumblin in. I figure, there is no need ot be shy right? (Please say "right!").



Oh yeah....so....I have a question about grammatophylum marte...does anyone have any thought about growing this one in an area where there are hard winters - I do nothave a greenhouse mind you! Thanks.