Well actually there's a world of difference between growing orchids in
Kansas, Florida or Italy. As well as growing orchids on a windowsill, under
lights, in a greenhouse or on your patio.
Water quality springs to mind. Ambient humidity, amount of available light
at that latitude, daylength, day/night temperatures. A hobbyist can
influence some of these physical factors but can't control all of them
without additional expense, sometimes considerable additional expense. Also
on a mundane level there is a difference between trade names and product
availability to a consumer in the USA vs the EU for example.
That there are certain areas of the world that some orchids do better than
others is no shocking news. Some Cattleyas grow better in California and
Hawaii than they do in Florida. Most cymbidiums and certain oncidiums don't
grow well in Florida. Even a cursory reading of any orchid related
magazine/journal will have articles by credible authors (Rebecca Northen
comes too mind) on exactly this point. What works in one environment
doesn't necessarily work in another.
As a matter of courtesy people giving adivce should mention where/how they
grow so that the person receiving advice will know how far they have to
change that advice to fit their own growing conditions. Assuming they even
realize that. Which is why I brought it up. Reka (and rgo lurkers) should
remember that she isn't living anywhere near Kansas, or growing in whatever
John Mallery considers to be a 'controlled environment'.
K Barrett
"Rob Halgren" wrote in message
...
GARLAND HANSON wrote:
What's the difference in growing orchids indoors in Florida or Italy OR
Kansas?
Completely under lights, or in a windowsill? In the window, there
will be differences. Even under lights there will be a fair amount of
difference. Humidity, ambient temperature, water quality, fertilizer
brands, etc. Across the street in the botany building they have very
expensive growth chambers that regulate all aspects of culture, just to
get some measure of reproducibility for their experiments. I doubt most
home orchid growers have absolute control over all of the factors
involved in plant growth.
All that said, I'd certainly accept advice from somebody growing in
a completely different part of the world from me, and try to integrate
it into my personal experiences. Most things translate, some things
don't. The more you know, the better, but there isn't a book in the
world that substitutes for hands on experience. That is what makes
orchid growing fun.
Orchid growing is more than a little art, and a bit of science. My
grandmother could grow and bloom phalaenopsis in dark corners of north
facing rooms, sitting in saucers of water with never a drop of
fertilizer. Green thumb. I have no other explanation than art -
science says that won't work. My thumb is several shades lighter green
than that, unfortunately.
Rob
--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )