1. Don't be penny-wise and dollar-foolish. This covers a lot of ground:

a. Don't re-use pots, clips, stakes, etc., without sterilizing them [which
in most cases means don't re-use them at all, it's cheaper to buy new].

b. Don't tear up an overgrown plant trying to save the clay pot it's
clinging to -- use a hammer and break the pot, peel off the shards. The
orchid is worth more than the pot.

c. Don't spend more trying to save a problem plant than it would cost you
to replace it. Some plants are truly irreplaceable, but beginners shouldn't
be buying those [see below].

d. A lot of newbies have a philosophy that they don't want to spend much on
a plant because they are afraid they'll kill it. Within reason, this is a
good philosophy -- I discourage beginners from buying specimens, or plants
that are expensive because they are, say, a vegetative division of an actual
awarded plant [as opposed to a clone which, 99% of the time, is just as good
for most practical purposes and much cheaper].

But taken to extremes, this can become a self-fulfilling prophecy: mature,
or at least adolescent [near-flowering-size] plants cost more than small
seedlings, compots or flasks, but they're also much hardier and easier to
grow [harder to kill]. After you're comfortable with more mature plants is
the time to try babies. And if a mature plant is discounted far below its
market value, there _is_ a reason. We maintain a "scratch & dent special"
area at our nursery, for plants that are recuperating from various problems;
I discourage beginners from shopping there, too, even though many of them
can't even discern why some of the plants are classified that way [which is
why they shouldn't be shopping there G].

2. The quarantine procedure mentioned earlier is very important. It
applies not only to new acquisitions but also to any problems you discover
among your existing collection -- if you find fungus, insects, etc., on a
plant, the very first thing to do is get it away from your others. The
second thing to do is treat it _promptly_; the longer you let a problem
linger, the harder it is to get rid of.

3. A lot of professional growers offer classes [our next set is coming in
January]. If there's one near you, sign up for the basics. For specific
plants and practices, a grower in your area can give you better advice than
one trying to work long-distance.

Good growing,

--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids

http://www.jborchids.com
wrote in message
...
So many orchid growers out there have greenhouses and several
orchids. By this time they know what to do and not to do. For
beginners it's learn by your mistakes, most times the death of the first
orchid they bought. If people post their personal experiences we
newbies will greatly appreciate it. I know now not to treat orchids
like everyday house plants, don't head right for that potting mix and
DON"T overwater. Phal's are easier to grow, Catt's take less water
cause they can store it I guess and there's something about using the
wrong fertilizer can cause an orchid to grow but not bloom. Ochid 101
now in setion-please post your do's and don'ts......Burr