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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 ) |
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