That, horror of horrors, there is such a thing as too many orchids! Seriously though (or more seriously anyways), that most commonly grown genera respond very well to frequent repottings (wonder where the realization I have too many orchids came from) and a regular fertilizing schedule.

Happy '09!

Julie

for me it was really identifying and handling much finer problems in culture and pest issues: the small stuff . Always *knew* them but never really paid attention to the nuances or applications since my plants were doing alright. That is until I ran the production greenhouses at my old job. Greenhouses I've learned can really accelerate culture and pest issues (or hide them just as easily). It was really amazing to watch it all coalesce. Now i pay closer attention and the plants have never done better! Record blooms this year Truly a learning experience.

-Deciduous plants can produce vigorous new grow during strict dormancy.
- GW members assume I am female. LOL
Happy New Year!
Mr. MegA

So many species; so little time.

Life is too short!

I've learned:
-To be more selective in my purchasing of plants
-How to set up a good plant tracking data base
-That if it says "cool growing" it will not re bloom in zone 10
-Orchid hobbyists are very generous
-The difficulties of automatic watering systems in a condo environment.
-To avoid using chemical pesticides too close to my small fish pond (sorry dot, harry, blacky, and moo)

Finally, I've learned that I need to move out of my condo & into a house with a yard!

-Ray-

TOO MANY mistakes in 2008.
My most painful lesson was that phals can take hot and dry conditions much better than hot and wet! Especially when hot and wet is accompanied by lack of air movement. So, no humidity trays for phals in future.
Another lesson - never be tempted to give phals "a liitle extra natural light". For me, this invariably results in leaf burn. I don't know why I was tempted in 2008 - they were doing really well without!
As for the few examples of other genera - my mistakes will only become apparent well into 2009.
And what haven't I learnt? PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE...
Judy

I've learned that orchids on the decline will more often than not die at some point so it is now easier to toss a problem orchid that will just not get with the program. Most of 2008 was spent thinning out a too large collection. (Too large for apt living) I've also learned to be more selective in the types of orchids I buy. No more Masd, Milt, Lyc, Angcm, Pot. etc. More Paphs, Cats, Z, B, Max, Lhta. Holding steady on Phals, Oncs and Vondas.
However the most surprising thing that I (just recently:-) learned was that so many of the orchid posters that I've come to recognize as knowledgeable and experienced still have orchid issues. Happy growing in 2009!

I've learned:

1) How to be more selective with orchids

2) What are reasonable prices for orchids, and that $30-$40 may be a good deal

3) I really enjoy mounted gastrochillus orchids

4) How to reroot a struggling orchid

Here's mine:

1. Not all orchids you see on sale can come home to an apartment. NO matter how cute they look, or how much they give you those "take me home" puppy dog eyes.

2. Roommate may be right when she says you have an orchid addiction.

3. Some orchids can't be saved. Sorry little no-name phal....

1. I love Pleurothallids!
2. Turns out they love me too!
3. Tiny Pleurothallid flowers are really fascinating under a microscope.
4. It's much easier to get rid of a big Catt hybrid when you know that ten cute little Pleuros will fit in the same space.

Hmmm...let's see...

1. I learned that I really like Pleurothallids too!
2. I love mounties after all.
3. Phal equestris and stuartiana would rather be watered much more often than I had been.
4. I really can rebloom orchids!
5. CFLs are my friends.
6. My orchids love me much more than my stupid philodendrons... what gives? They're the easiest houseplant ever, and I've had 3-4 croak on me last year. You'd think Aerangis citrata would be way fussier than those stupid philodendrons...
7. Delaying getting into orchids in the hopes of avoiding an obsession doesn't really work, in the end.
8. When you run out of room, you STILL want more orchids. (bah)
9. I don't really want to buy non-species orchids anymore.

10. Orchids are way more forgiving of neglect than I ever expected, and still take off fabulously when you finally give them what they want.

Is that enough? Ha ha.

I've learned I dislike splash petaled Catts. and will divest myself of them this spring.

I've learned that a mounted Phal. will still grow the spike towards the light. Well DUH, they do it in a pot, why not when mounted? I will be the proud owner of a Phal. schilleriana that has a C shaped spike growing over the top of the mount. It should make an interesting picture.

I've learned I can repot almost anything when I want and it is convenient for me.

I've learned that tight shoes for a plant to bloom is to keep the caretaker from over watering. Epiphytes seldom wear shoes attached to a tree.

I've learned not to be afraid of imported bare root plants going into my winter season. I can adjust to their needs, not vice versa.

I've learned I actually don't like many orchids and won't waste my time when I can devote the time to the ones I love.

I look forward to '09 and what else the orchids can teach me.

Brooke

Parting is still a pain...it's a heartache to part some of my collection due to viruses, size and buggies..

I hate mealies, and scale...and I nuke them with the biggest guns I have..forget the q-tips method, kill them early with the big guns...

Cyms are easier to grow than expected..and they really grow and grow, not a real neat houseplant per se..

Cats are beautiful as always...but can't wait for the yr round bloomer or blooms that can last for 4-6 weeks instead of 2-3...haha.

Onc. intergens..if I can figure out all the new names, let alone to pronounce some of those...they are beautiful, long lasting, but can get really big...bye bye my old Sharry Baby..a 40 inch long flowering spike was the final straw to part with my 4-yr old scaryBaby..sweet smell, but..

I love psychops..but need to tell my better half, don't touch them, don't ever cut off the old bloom spike...I have two pscys. blooming on the same spike for over two yrs..and still going...another with the spike whacked by my better half, and a small branch spike appears to develop ever so slowly..and another psy. just sit there with no spikes for 2 yrs..and they all sit in the same spot with the same care...amazing plants...but guard the spikes like crazy.

Phals are great for most home gardeners...as long they dont overwater them..some phals can really bloom their heads off in the right environ...I send out Phals as gifts for my biz clients during holidays...the client who left the plants with the least amount of attention (say moving to this location or next every few weeks or keep on worrying about the plant will die because it didn't get a drink for 7-10 days)have the blooms last the longest - 5 months in one case, 4 in another vs the few weeks quick deaths from crown rot or bud blasts from constant relocations..

I need a new greenhouse...the old one is filled with all the "chids"...and Orchid addiction is a real situation, not some crazy talks from the hobbyists..

I start with a grocery store Phal 12 yrs ago..and now I completely filled my 9 X 20 greenhouse...

ouch.

Orchid forums is the best place on the planet to find new info..there is no knowledge boundary among Orchid hobbyists.

i have learned that not only am i addicted to orchids, i am addicted to this forum. everyday, sometimes twice, i have to sign on to see if anyone has posted something interesting/relevent to my situation; or what responses there are to a question; etc. etc.
-- to be more selective ( but still can't act on that)
-- to budget myself but when i am at the orchid show...(what is a budget??)
-- maybe i will actually learn in 2009
sue

I relearned that orchids do OK under lights, but like it better outside, and if they don't do well outside in the summer, they probably won't bloom under lights in the winter. Time to give away or compost.

Also read something new about phals in the Steve Frowine book that came out several months ago--current research indicates that they take in most moisture thru the green root tips, and little thru the silvery velamen.

Hey, Holly-- I missed that in Frowine's book -- too eager to look at the pictures, I guess :)

So thanks for posting that about the green tips. That's useful information. I have noticed that with lots of green tips, phals definitely have that "looking good" glow. Now it makes sense to think of that as "hydrated" LOL

I have learned that after being with out orchids for four years, I still have the passion and the 10' x 12' greenhouse is not big enough

I learned that physical limitations were preventing me from truly enjoying my orchids. Thinning down my collection from 45 or so orchids to 10 was extremely painful, but changed the growing from a distasteful dreaded chore to a happy experience that I now look forward to. I must admit though, that I still really miss the orchids that I got rid of.

1. Even in sphag, phals dry out really fast in a warm room full of grow lights.

2. Minicatts also dry out very fast in said grow room and do better with fine bark mix instead of chunky. They alos like a collar of sphag on top.

3. Fertilizer is my friend, but some phaius can get fertilizer burn really easily.

4. Mostly I learned since I deal with foliage plants all day long at work, I much prefer growing orchids at home for a nice change of pace.

Hey, watergal. That's a good point about drying out fast under lights. I've been surprised at how fast the drying-out occurs downstairs in the light room (very hot when the lights are on, fan going all the time).

I also have two south windows with added lights. Drying out is several days faster in the room with a fan and a bit more south exposure.

Great to read all these lessons learned!

I've learned to finally follow some advice offered me by one of this forum's members -- "don't fuss with them so much". In fact, a goner that I tossed on the ground in June because the roots were completely eaten / covered by slugs, resurrected itself in October and now has five new growths, lots of roots, and looks healthier than the original plant --- all of that from just ignoring it on the ground. It's back inside and now one of my happier plants.

Secondly, I learned that it really is ok to help mother nature when necessary --- I snipped the top of a couple of sheaths that appeared to be stifling a spike from emerging, and beautiful spikes / blooms emerged.

I've finally learned that I can reasonably only manage ~ 50 plants in limited space on the back porch. Maybe a greenhouse one day.

Happy 2009!

Cj & Quinnfrye, little Pleuros may like me, too, plus some other eensies. None small enough for the microscope, though.

Having too many orchids can make me resent orchids. Going from about 100 to 50 and am already to 61.

Orchid126, "too many" is and individual thing, huh?

Spider mites really do exist and they can kill plants. Homemade insecticidal soap can save other plants. If I'd kept on washing leaves every time I leached, the way I did the first 2 years, the spider mites may have stayed away.

Whitecat8