Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#31
|
|||
|
|||
Group,
Orchids is fun. Orchids is addictive. Orchids be beautiful. Orchids not be tough to grow. Orchids be best bought from reputable growers, not hardware stores, unless you really knows your stuff and can be sort out the bad ones. Me thinks that our local growers is better than the ones Vic has met. End of grammar lesson. Scuse me. We 'Orthened' today and I think I have brain damage. DK |
#32
|
|||
|
|||
On Fri, 29 Apr 2005 16:00:32 -0400, "Kenni Judd"
wrote: Another 2 cents' worth: For folks who get infected with the "passion," orchids are wonderful because there is indeed always more one can learn about them. But for those who just want pretty flowers on easy-to-grow plants, we were able to boil down our "culture sheet" for all 5 of the major tribes that we carry [Catts, Dens, Phals, and Vandas] to a one-page sheet --granted, it is double-sided, but still G -- and if you are only doing Phals, you only need to read 1/5 of it. So far, we have good reported success from those following those relatively short directions. If you email me directly, I'll send you one [can you accept WordPerfect docs?] -- Kenni Judd Juno Beach Orchids http://www.jborchids.com Hi Kenni, Well if you feel like e-mailing the sheet without making a sale, my e-mail address works -- as long as you drop the "nada" from Canada (i.e. just "yahoo.ca"). You've got some tempting sounding plants in your Special section. I wish you were closer by, so I could stop in and see them for myself. --Vic |
#33
|
|||
|
|||
Bob,
I don't dispute your recommendation, but I have ~70 orchids, and Ludisia discolor is the plant I've had the *least* success with! It's the only terrestrial in my collection. I'll try repotting what's left of mine tomorrow in a loose mix as you suggest -- it was in dense soil when I purchased it 12 months ago at a society auction. I never cease to be amazed at the range of culture advice I receive. When I asked for Ludisia discolor help at a recent orchid society meeting I was told to move it into Cattleya-level light! John Bob Walsh wrote: Vic, I remembered the easy orchid for you. It is Ludisia discolor. Grows well in low light, a loose potting mix (like for your violets), doesn't need food, has beautiful foliage (purple or burgundy with florescent orange stripes) and it blooms around January for a couple months. Some don't care for the flowers but I do. It will get as big as you let it and with low light the leaves get bigger (3" long x 2" wide) and look luxurious. If you find it, it should be inexpensive. Go to an Orchid Society meeting and tell a few people you want one and you will probably connect with at least a cutting. Yes , there is an orchid that will grow from a cutting. Put it in a glass of water and pot when it grows roots. Go to Orchidmall.com to find an Orchid Society near you. Bob wrote in message ... On Thu, 28 Apr 2005 15:16:59 -0400, Rob Halgren wrote: wrote: Actually that's the approach I'm trying to take. I'm trying to trust my instincts. I look for advice when I think I need it, but since a lot of it is conflicting, I try to do what I think will work. Far too many orchids are killed by people who read too many books. Your approach is the best way to learn how to grow anything, not just orchids. Observing the plant is the only way to know if it is doing well. What matters is how a specific plant behaves in your specific environment. Can't get that information from a book. Sure, you can get some general ideas, but 'facts on the ground' always trump 'facts in the book'. I think the whole obligation to learn about orchids can be overwhelming. I hate looking at a plant and feeling stupid. That has never happened with anything else I've ever tried to grow. Even though I've tried to pick up some hints and tips from the newsgroup, I don't want to have to devote all my spare time studying about orchids, but part of me feels that unless I learn all the terminology and the history and the naming conventions, and everything else, I'm never going to feel like I could confidently grow these things, and that's a lot more than I was looking for when I bought a simple, pretty houseplant. You aren't under any obligation to learn a darn thing about orchids. Don't let that stop you. All you need to learn is how to take care of the plants you have. You don't need to know everything about orchids to grow an orchid. Just like you don't have to know all of the (very very many) philodendron species to grow a little green houseplant. Orchid growing is like riding a bicycle. You can read all you want about bicycles, and physics, and how asphalt reacts with knees, but until you actually ride the bike a few times you aren't going to know how. I know a lot of people who grow orchids that can't even spell phalaenopsis, much less pronounce it. They do fine. The only time you need to feel stupid is if you break off a flower spike or kill your plant, and then only long enough to figure out why it happened and not to do whatever stupid thing you did again. Some people like to learn all of the esoterica of the plants they grow (history, breeding, awards...). I'm one of those. But not everybody cares that much. If all you want is a pretty flower and a healthy plant, don't worry about it. So, don't let an 'expert' talk you out of anything. What counts is whether you like a flower or not. If you think it is pretty, and an 'expert' hates it, well, so what? If your plants bloom in dark corners, and some expert says they need light, again, who cares? How's that for a pep talk? *grin* Rob -- Actually it's pretty darned good. :-D I'm pretty much determined to treat my orchid, just as I do my many philodendrons. They are absolutely impossible to kill and have never made me feel inadequate or caused me to run to a newsgroup seeking advice. ;-) (Of course, I've never actually spent a dime on any of them.) --Vic |
#34
|
|||
|
|||
John,
You can throw some orchid mix in with it to keep it looser. Mine looks to be in a potting mix with a fair amount of small perlite in it. Jay's site: http://www.orchidspecies.com/ludiscolor.htm recommends potting soil and 50% bark and also says heavy shade. If the light is too bright the leaves turn orange and lose their stripes. Bob "John DeGood" wrote in message ... Bob, I don't dispute your recommendation, but I have ~70 orchids, and Ludisia discolor is the plant I've had the *least* success with! It's the only terrestrial in my collection. I'll try repotting what's left of mine tomorrow in a loose mix as you suggest -- it was in dense soil when I purchased it 12 months ago at a society auction. I never cease to be amazed at the range of culture advice I receive. When I asked for Ludisia discolor help at a recent orchid society meeting I was told to move it into Cattleya-level light! John Bob Walsh wrote: Vic, I remembered the easy orchid for you. It is Ludisia discolor. Grows well in low light, a loose potting mix (like for your violets), doesn't need food, has beautiful foliage (purple or burgundy with florescent orange stripes) and it blooms around January for a couple months. Some don't care for the flowers but I do. It will get as big as you let it and with low light the leaves get bigger (3" long x 2" wide) and look luxurious. If you find it, it should be inexpensive. Go to an Orchid Society meeting and tell a few people you want one and you will probably connect with at least a cutting. Yes , there is an orchid that will grow from a cutting. Put it in a glass of water and pot when it grows roots. Go to Orchidmall.com to find an Orchid Society near you. Bob wrote in message ... On Thu, 28 Apr 2005 15:16:59 -0400, Rob Halgren wrote: wrote: Actually that's the approach I'm trying to take. I'm trying to trust my instincts. I look for advice when I think I need it, but since a lot of it is conflicting, I try to do what I think will work. Far too many orchids are killed by people who read too many books. Your approach is the best way to learn how to grow anything, not just orchids. Observing the plant is the only way to know if it is doing well. What matters is how a specific plant behaves in your specific environment. Can't get that information from a book. Sure, you can get some general ideas, but 'facts on the ground' always trump 'facts in the book'. I think the whole obligation to learn about orchids can be overwhelming. I hate looking at a plant and feeling stupid. That has never happened with anything else I've ever tried to grow. Even though I've tried to pick up some hints and tips from the newsgroup, I don't want to have to devote all my spare time studying about orchids, but part of me feels that unless I learn all the terminology and the history and the naming conventions, and everything else, I'm never going to feel like I could confidently grow these things, and that's a lot more than I was looking for when I bought a simple, pretty houseplant. You aren't under any obligation to learn a darn thing about orchids. Don't let that stop you. All you need to learn is how to take care of the plants you have. You don't need to know everything about orchids to grow an orchid. Just like you don't have to know all of the (very very many) philodendron species to grow a little green houseplant. Orchid growing is like riding a bicycle. You can read all you want about bicycles, and physics, and how asphalt reacts with knees, but until you actually ride the bike a few times you aren't going to know how. I know a lot of people who grow orchids that can't even spell phalaenopsis, much less pronounce it. They do fine. The only time you need to feel stupid is if you break off a flower spike or kill your plant, and then only long enough to figure out why it happened and not to do whatever stupid thing you did again. Some people like to learn all of the esoterica of the plants they grow (history, breeding, awards...). I'm one of those. But not everybody cares that much. If all you want is a pretty flower and a healthy plant, don't worry about it. So, don't let an 'expert' talk you out of anything. What counts is whether you like a flower or not. If you think it is pretty, and an 'expert' hates it, well, so what? If your plants bloom in dark corners, and some expert says they need light, again, who cares? How's that for a pep talk? *grin* Rob -- Actually it's pretty darned good. :-D I'm pretty much determined to treat my orchid, just as I do my many philodendrons. They are absolutely impossible to kill and have never made me feel inadequate or caused me to run to a newsgroup seeking advice. ;-) (Of course, I've never actually spent a dime on any of them.) --Vic |
#35
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks Bob, I appreciate the advice. Hopefully I'll be able to save my
plant. It's rather embarrassing to fail growing an "easy" orchid. A speaker at our orchid society meeting a few months ago remarked that he had never killed an orchid. However, he said, some of his plants had committed suicide. :-) John Bob Walsh wrote: John, You can throw some orchid mix in with it to keep it looser. Mine looks to be in a potting mix with a fair amount of small perlite in it. Jay's site: http://www.orchidspecies.com/ludiscolor.htm recommends potting soil and 50% bark and also says heavy shade. If the light is too bright the leaves turn orange and lose their stripes. Bob "John DeGood" wrote in message ... Bob, I don't dispute your recommendation, but I have ~70 orchids, and Ludisia discolor is the plant I've had the *least* success with! It's the only terrestrial in my collection. I'll try repotting what's left of mine tomorrow in a loose mix as you suggest -- it was in dense soil when I purchased it 12 months ago at a society auction. I never cease to be amazed at the range of culture advice I receive. When I asked for Ludisia discolor help at a recent orchid society meeting I was told to move it into Cattleya-level light! John Bob Walsh wrote: Vic, I remembered the easy orchid for you. It is Ludisia discolor. Grows well in low light, a loose potting mix (like for your violets), doesn't need food, has beautiful foliage (purple or burgundy with florescent orange stripes) and it blooms around January for a couple months. Some don't care for the flowers but I do. It will get as big as you let it and with low light the leaves get bigger (3" long x 2" wide) and look luxurious. If you find it, it should be inexpensive. Go to an Orchid Society meeting and tell a few people you want one and you will probably connect with at least a cutting. Yes , there is an orchid that will grow from a cutting. Put it in a glass of water and pot when it grows roots. Go to Orchidmall.com to find an Orchid Society near you. Bob wrote in message ... On Thu, 28 Apr 2005 15:16:59 -0400, Rob Halgren wrote: wrote: Actually that's the approach I'm trying to take. I'm trying to trust my instincts. I look for advice when I think I need it, but since a lot of it is conflicting, I try to do what I think will work. Far too many orchids are killed by people who read too many books. Your approach is the best way to learn how to grow anything, not just orchids. Observing the plant is the only way to know if it is doing well. What matters is how a specific plant behaves in your specific environment. Can't get that information from a book. Sure, you can get some general ideas, but 'facts on the ground' always trump 'facts in the book'. I think the whole obligation to learn about orchids can be overwhelming. I hate looking at a plant and feeling stupid. That has never happened with anything else I've ever tried to grow. Even though I've tried to pick up some hints and tips from the newsgroup, I don't want to have to devote all my spare time studying about orchids, but part of me feels that unless I learn all the terminology and the history and the naming conventions, and everything else, I'm never going to feel like I could confidently grow these things, and that's a lot more than I was looking for when I bought a simple, pretty houseplant. You aren't under any obligation to learn a darn thing about orchids. Don't let that stop you. All you need to learn is how to take care of the plants you have. You don't need to know everything about orchids to grow an orchid. Just like you don't have to know all of the (very very many) philodendron species to grow a little green houseplant. Orchid growing is like riding a bicycle. You can read all you want about bicycles, and physics, and how asphalt reacts with knees, but until you actually ride the bike a few times you aren't going to know how. I know a lot of people who grow orchids that can't even spell phalaenopsis, much less pronounce it. They do fine. The only time you need to feel stupid is if you break off a flower spike or kill your plant, and then only long enough to figure out why it happened and not to do whatever stupid thing you did again. Some people like to learn all of the esoterica of the plants they grow (history, breeding, awards...). I'm one of those. But not everybody cares that much. If all you want is a pretty flower and a healthy plant, don't worry about it. So, don't let an 'expert' talk you out of anything. What counts is whether you like a flower or not. If you think it is pretty, and an 'expert' hates it, well, so what? If your plants bloom in dark corners, and some expert says they need light, again, who cares? How's that for a pep talk? *grin* Rob -- Actually it's pretty darned good. :-D I'm pretty much determined to treat my orchid, just as I do my many philodendrons. They are absolutely impossible to kill and have never made me feel inadequate or caused me to run to a newsgroup seeking advice. ;-) (Of course, I've never actually spent a dime on any of them.) --Vic |
#36
|
|||
|
|||
Kenni,
Because of the pathos involved in raising pothos. Mick ================ "Kenni Judd" wrote in message ... So why don't people think that, say, Pothos, are "difficult"? They take a lot more maintenance than most orchids ... Kenni |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
i was appealing to tend you some of my popular labels | Ponds | |||
Does anyone know the name of an old rose popular in the 1940's and 1950's? | Gardening | |||
Which is the most popular Fish? | Freshwater Aquaria Plants | |||
ID popular weed in the lawns | Gardening | |||
dwarf/smaller version of popular flowers | North Carolina |