Beginner seeks advice on orchid plants, books, fertilizing, growing
 

I *finally* bought some orchid plants - something I've been wanting to
do for a long time. I live in Dearborn, MI, which is near Detroit. I
attended a seminar at a local gardening store and they had phalaenopsis
in a variety of different colors and patterns. They were buy one get
one free so I got four, and went back after they got another shipment
and got six more. My wife questioned my *sudden interest* but has
decided she likes the colors on several of them.

Most of them had at least one flower open and now they have three or
four open.

I started reading the orchid newsgroup and decided it's time to ask for
help.

What are good types (families) for beginners or should I focus on the
phalaenopsis until I have the hang of this? Anyone have any *baby*
plants they want to donate or sell?

I'm looking for recommendations on books for a beginning orchid grower.
Any suggestions will be appreciated. If you have some you've *outgrown*
and would like to sell, pls send title, price, etc.

Recommendations about fertilizing? At the seminar she said use high
nitrogen fertilizer in summer and high middle number in fall for
flowers. Also said use very weak strength and use at every watering.
When should I switch to fertilizer for flowers? Is it OK to fertilize
while they're flowering? Some of the hang tags say not to.

What's best growing medium? Most are in moss and two in bark.

Any help, advise, etc. will be appreciated.

P.S. Dan, I saw your posts so I included you in this. JUST GO FOR IT.
Get some with buds and give it a try.

I saw this in another posting and thought it was funny. After looking
at his site, I decided it might become an addiction.

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

Hal Tessmann