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In Memory of Dad

14 years ago

In the 60's, Dad grew orchids. We had a greenhouse and a slathouse (is that even a name?). I guess we had somewhere around 1000 plants at any given time, and to walk into that greenhouse was a sensory explosion! We had a large family, and Dad was the go-to guy for prom and wedding orchids, and loved sharing his flowers with friends and family.

He also grew roses, and my brother and I share his love for gardening. I have just now decided to grow orchids, and ordered about 12 from Kawamotoorchids on Ebay. I tend to be partial to Cattleyas, simply because those are the ones I remember so vividly from my childhood.

Dad sold out his entire stock some time in the late 60's, due to some sort of artificial hybridization technique. For whatever reason, that bothered him greatly.

I am starting out primarily with Cattleyas, but am studying all the different species so I can branch out a bit. I tend to like very dramatic, showy flowers, and am especially attracted to the unusual in color as well as form.

Any advice is appreciated, from books to read, to growing techniques. I remember that Dad primarily used osmunda to repot, but I see there are many new mediums being used. Until I can erect some sort of greenhouse, mine will be indoors. I am reading up right now on lighting and temperature requirements.

Anyway, glad to be here, and looking forward to great success.

Mary

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Comments (3)

richardol
14 years ago
Welcome. I think it is great that you are following in your Dad's footsteps.

Cattleyas can be grown indoors but you will need bright light for them. The best thing would be to join an orchid society in your area and get advice on local conditions.

Water well but be sure the Catts dry out well between waterings.
embee4488
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, Richard. I appreciate the advice, and am sure I will post as things get rolling along.

Mary
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toyo2960
14 years ago
Nice that you are following in you dad's footsteps as it were. The plants are fine planted in what they are now. It is probably a bark, peat and perlite mix.
Osmunda is too expensive now. If growing indoors, you may need to grow under lights (full spectrum grow lights: read up about growing indoors). Cattleyas do need a lot of bright filtered light to flower. Their leaves should be medium green. Living Florida, it all depends if you can grow outdoors. South Florida is fine. A shade house will work fine. From Orlando north, you will need a greenhouse for the winter. Winters can produce ocassional freezes at night. A cattleya can tolerate temps down to low 40s. But not freezing.
If you do grow outdoors, you will want to change to a medium like clay pellets. Bark rots with too much moisture. Good luck and good growing.

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