Judy, thanks so much for the photos and info. My sister was just in Israel and I asked her if she saw any orchids for sale (since i'm becoming a finatic) but she said no. And here you are: they do grow orchids in Israel... so fascinating. The vandas are gorgeous.

So, where do most orchid hobbyists buy orchids in Israel? Are they sold locally or do you really need to purchase them online or by mail?

Thanks for posting the pictures!! Last time I went to one of these things I SWORE I was going "just to look"....

Came home with 11 plants......sigh....

I'm hopeless.........

Debbi, Pat, thanks for your comments.
Debbi: When I started collecting, I too was mystified by the apparent dearth of orchid sources. I'm gradually sniffing them out. Here are some indications - from dilettanti with little or no knowledge of what they're selling to the really serious collectors/vendors. The prices are (believe it or not) in descending order, with the best deals from the serious collectors.
1) select florist shops (large NOID phals)
2) general garden centres (phals and cymbidiums -all noids)
3) two "kibbutzim" Maale Hahamisha (phals and some catt. hybrids, some labelled) and Bahan (a more varied selection, but unlabelled - this one sells potting medium, fert. etc. and has an orchid park with a play area for kids and a coffee shop).
4)The serious growers. One or two have websites where you can order online, but it's much more fun to visit and select on the spot. Especially true if you're a centrally located pensioner with lots of time on your hands (haha!). sharonorchids.com is my favourite, but there are plenty more.
You can also order flasks or soiless plants from abroad, but this is complicated and expensive and requires an import licence from the dept. of agriculture.
So, that's the picture. Sorry about all the details, but you DID ask....
Pat: Ah! your beautiful orchids and your beautiful photos. My mouth waters every time I open one of your posts.
A question: The two dens (acquired from different stands) came potted in mainly lava rock and charcoal with a bit of bark mixed in. Both were quite damp when I got them, but have now dried out completely (after two days). Is this normal and if so, does this mean that I'll have to water every two days?? Could I (should I) repot into standard orchid mix which seems to suit my catts and allows me to water them in this fairly dry weather every 7-10 days?
Thanks in advance.
Judy

Thanks Judy!!
Lava, charcoal and a touch of bark would suit me fine. I really like this mix because it fits perfect with my watering schedule, drains well, and dries quickly with my fans blowing across my plants. Mine are watered very near daily in summer. Wet in the morning, dry by late in the day. But orchids in general will grow and do well in a lot of different mediums. Dens (phal type) grow well potted in small pots or in open baskets - I grow some of mine mounted bare root. The trick is to adjust the medium to suit your own habits and growing area. If your dens dry to soon, you can add a layer of moss to the top of your medium. If it still dries to fast then maybe a bark mix is the answer.
Good Luck with it!
Pat.......

Hi Judy,

Where, but the Orchid Forum, can I go to an Israel Orchid Society show so easily?! Thank you for the beautiful pictures and tour.

It has been my impression that summers in Israel are as dry as the area where I live in California--generally under (or well under) 50% humidity from May to September. Is that the case where you live?

Sweetcicely

Sweetcicely,
Sorry about the delay. Just finished reconnecting all the leads to the computer after the painting job. (All went without a hitch - orchids and humans survived the renovations and the computer works!)
Glad you liked my post. Not all of Israel is dryish in summer. The coastal plain and the area around the Sea of Galilee are hot, humid and unpleasant. Air-conditioning is a must. Here in the Jerusalem hills summers are lovely - hot with cool evenings (27-30C during the day, 17-20C at night) and it never rains! Actually, summer is nicer than spring, which is unsettled with very hot dry spells alternating with cold rainy weather.
So, my problem should be supplying humidity to my orchids. However, I decided that they would just have to get used to the dry weather - and funnily enough, they are surviving and flourishing. When I remember, I wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. And I don't have any orchids that need really damp conditions. I live in an apartment with no patios, so all of my growing is indoors. What about you?
Judy