Mg,

I disagree (at least to some extent) with what you said in your reply: First
of all, I find that if one gets an orchid that is well suited for ones
environment and find out about the basics about its culture, orchids are
really not hard to keep alive, so I think it might give Peggy the wrong idea
if we speak of "when you kill 'em" as if it were inevitable.

While I agree with you, that there is no point in starting with a really
expensive plant (especially since some of the experts here have assured me
that the more expensive the orchid, the easier it is to kill :-), still I
don't think that buying the "least expensive ones" is always a good idea,
for example one has to be very careful when buying orchids off of bargain
tables. Sometimes there is a good reason why the orchid's price has been
reduced, and a beginner may not be able to tell, and then could get
discouraged thinking that she did something wrong while it was really just
that she bought a dying plant.

I don't think that it is particularly necessary to buy one's first orchid in
bloom, though most of us did, but getting one in spike or in bud may be more
interesting even the first time. In Phal hybrids at least, chances are high
that if it's in spike or in bud then it will probably bloom. And I really
think the surprise in seeing the first bud open is something special that
even a newbie can enjoy.

What do you mean by do not "expect to see them in bloom again for a long,
long time"? As long as you learn about the cultural requirements for your
type of orchid and can provide it with the right environment that it needs
to rebloom, I don't see why you should not expect it to rebloom for you the
following year or in two years at most (as in my case where I did not
realize that I was not providing the orchids with enough light to rebloom
the first year). At least that's been my experience with Phal hybrids. I
know that this is not the case with all orchids.

Peggy might be wiser if she bought only one plant the first time, learned
how to take care of it, and only then bought more, but most of us are not
wise and patient enough. Also there is one advantage to not getting just
one, in that once one has more one tends to fuss about them less, and
orchids often prefer some benign neglect to constant fussing. I started out
with two the first year, got a third the next year, and now I have 16 and it
has been almost exactly three years (well, ok it will be in early May, and
by then I will probably have more, but who is counting). By the standards of
the orchid community, I think I am quite conservative and cautious :-)

Mg, I hope you don't mind too much my disagreeing with you on so many
points. Although come to think of it I disagree only in nuances, since I do
think that it's best to not start with a really expensive plant, I agree
that it's probably best to get the first plant in bloom (but in bud or spike
is fine too, I think). If you consider a year or two a long, long time, then
I won't disagree with you there either. And I certainly sympathize with the
spirit of not getting just one.

Best,
Joanna

"mg" wrote in message ...
Starting out, the best plants are the least expensive ones. It hurts
less when you kill 'em. Get them already in bloom and don't expect to
see them in bloom again for a long, long time. And by the way, don't
even think about just one.


Peggy Elliott wrote:
I love orchids but have never owned one. Which one, in your opinion, is
the
best one(s) to start with and whats a good place to get them?

Thanks for all your responses!!

Growing conditions:

I have a windowbox in the kitchen that faces east. The African violets love
it.
I keep my heat set at 58 in the winter, but have a woodstove that really
only is effective in the living room. In the dining room I have a west
exposure that gets good afternoon sun.
In the summer it gets up to about 70 in the house. I think humidity may be
my worst problem, as the woodstove really dries the place out in the winter.
I do have a native orchid that grows near my mailbox. I'm guessing its a
ladyslipper. I live in Charlottesville, Va zone 7. (Home of UVa and
Monticello!)
-Peg


"Peggy Elliott" wrote in message
...
I love orchids but have never owned one. Which one, in your opinion, is
the
best one(s) to start with and whats a good place to get them?

Peggy,

I have heard that African Violets and Phals like to be treated very
similarly and to live in a similar place, so if your African Violets love
your kitchen window, chances are high you can grow Phals there too. I
actually got my first two African Violets this weekend. :-) I have posted
some tips on Phals in the other Newbie thread in answer to Monica.

If you fear that humidity is a problem during the winter, consider getting a
humidifier. I got one this year, and am glad I did -- it's good for my
sinuses as well as for the orchids.

Best,
Joanna

"Peggy Elliott" wrote in message
...
Thanks for all your responses!!

Growing conditions:

I have a windowbox in the kitchen that faces east. The African violets
love
it.
I keep my heat set at 58 in the winter, but have a woodstove that really
only is effective in the living room. In the dining room I have a west
exposure that gets good afternoon sun.
In the summer it gets up to about 70 in the house. I think humidity may be
my worst problem, as the woodstove really dries the place out in the
winter.
I do have a native orchid that grows near my mailbox. I'm guessing its a
ladyslipper. I live in Charlottesville, Va zone 7. (Home of UVa and
Monticello!)
-Peg


"Peggy Elliott" wrote in message
...
I love orchids but have never owned one. Which one, in your opinion, is
the
best one(s) to start with and whats a good place to get them?