Three-year orchid anniversary

16 years ago

Before March, 2005, I'd been re-blooming a couple of NoID Phals from Frank's, a garden/craft chain that's since gone out of business.

That March was the month a woman at a garden center told me that, if I could grow Phals in the house, there were a lot of other orchids that would grow, too.

I got chills.

Then she told me about Orchids Limited, which is in the Twin Cities. I went home, got Yahoo directions, and drove over there in the dark of night.

The front greenhouse had lights on and moisture running down the inside of the windows. I could see a jungle of orchids inside! Magic!!

The next day, I left work early to get there before the 5:00 closing. Walking into that air with those scents was heaven when the Minnesota winter would hang on for another month or so.

I came home and told DH that I'd get an orchid every three months so I could learn the culture of each. Delusional woman. April brought the AOS annual show to Minneapolis, and I went nuts.

About a month before, on March 25, I joined this forum. What a treasured resource it has been! Many of my orchids would never have lived or bloomed or re-bloomed without the folks here. Plus, there are many here whom I appreciate for their experience, wisdom, humor, and graciousness.

Many thanks to those who have had the patience to give me a clue in this amazing world of orchids. I pass it on when I can.

With gratitude, Whitecat8

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Comments (14)

clintdawley
16 years ago
Congrats on your anniversary...may you have many more happy ones yet to come!
xmpraedicta
16 years ago
Congrats WC - from the kinds of success you're getting as well as the great advice you've given to so many of us, it would be hard to believe that it has only been 3 years!

Next week is Canada blooms, the place I got my first phals from (and officially got bitten by the bug) 5 years ago so I guess it's my anniversary as well! Lets pop open the champagne - i'll bring the chips and dip
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t_bred
16 years ago
Happy 3 years Whitecat!!! And thanks much for your involvement and advice on this forum!!!! Go buy a plant to celebrate (or two...):)))
savtaj
16 years ago
Hi Whitecat
It's hard to imagine that you have only had three years' experience growing orchids. You are so knowledgeable and I've learnt such a lot from you. So, congratulations on your anniversary, and hope you celebrate with many new acquisitions!
Many thanks and good growing!
Judy
littlem_2007
16 years ago
hello, whitcat, congrats and thank you for all the knowledge you have so generously passed on to us.
sue
lunaticvulpine
16 years ago
Gratz WC8 now you have to look forward to the 5 and ten year marks lol. have you set your eyes on any long term chid? my goal is to bloom a gram. speciosum. and from what i was told i have about another... 15 years?

well once again gratz and good luck in the future :D

Gaston
ray_ratliff
16 years ago
Congrats WC On your 3rd. year of growing! I have really appreciated the posts that you have put on the forums & have learned much from you & other growers here. In honor of your anniversary, I am having a glass of my favorite wine, Montes Alpha M. HereÂs to a life time of learning & growing!

-Ray-
whitecat8
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the compliments and good wishes, y'all. WC8
cena60
16 years ago
Whitecat, seems longer than three years!

Yep, they get in your blood.
I was good and bought only one orchid for 12 months. Determined if I could keep it alive for a year, I would be safe spending all that $ on orchids! Sadly to say, I'm not nearly good enough for Phals, and though I did keep it alive, I've since moved out of that genus!

Congratulations on a spectacular anniversary!
whitecat8
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi, Cena60,

Thanks for the congrats.

As for Phals, they are over-rated as easy. For some, yes. For others - maybe you, Draculas grow like weeds.

How in the world did you ever buy only one orchid in 12 months????? You must not be an addict. Maybe you can bottle that self-restraint and sell it to the junkies. Then you'd have $$ for orchid # whatever through 10,000. LOL

Whitecat8
richardol
16 years ago
WC8 (used 8 lives or have 8 lives left?) I remember that experience of going into my first large greenhouse and being overwhelmed by all the varieties I had never seen before.

When I look up the ideal person to mentor all of us on this forum I see your picture. Sharing your knowledge with humor and grace. Having more of a "here's what I do" attitude rather than "shoulding" on people and especially newcomers.
Don't buy just a new plant to celebrate, buy a new genus (not all of it!).
Sheila
16 years ago
Hi Whitecat8, congrats on the anniversary. Richard is 'right on', I like 'here's what I do' advice. Most of us grow under different conditions and no one solution works for every situation.

I've been here now for over five years and LOVE this forum. Anew plant or two to celebrate sounds perfect. Spring is upon us and a wonderful season for so many orchids. Happy growing.

Sheila :)
jemsta
16 years ago
Congrats on 3 years, here's to many more!
whitecat8
Original Author
16 years ago
Goodness gracious. I never would have imagined people would have such kind comments about me. I'm honored.

Champagne, wine, food, new orchids - I'm there.

Richard - 8 is for the total number of 4-leggeds and 2 leggeds in the house. It started out as Whitecat7, with solid white cat Kerplunk being the last animal added. Then we got the 2nd big dog, and Whitecat sounded better than BigMuddyBrownDog8.

Gaston, so far, none of the way delayed gratification 'chids have appealed to me. When I started out, only plants in bloom would do - maybe a hint.

Speaking of a new genus... someone gave me my first Bulbo recently - rupiculum. Eeensie beeensie. Bulbos have been calling me for the last few months. It was a "rescue" and may not make it, but there are others. Hee hee

My orchids thank the forum for saving their lives and improving their quality of life.

And more thanks from the 2-legged Whitecat8

Three-year orchid anniversary

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