OrchidSafari ARCHIVES*

marilyninOttawa
Hello everyone! Today we are going to discuss collections, how we get to know orchids in our collections, and how we can tell if those orchids are responding positively to the care we provide.

First, a POLL. Would everyone please give an approximation of their years of orchid growing experience and then, their collection description. Is the collection varied, limited to one group/type/genus, or limited to a temperature range? I will start the ball rolling to show what I mean by the POLL. I have been growing orchids for 28 years. I have a varied collection but am limited to the intermediate range.

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
11 years, varied, all kinds, warm intermediate and cool

55SS (James in Fresno)
7yrs, and whatever catches my eye....

paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida)
Marilyn - 5 years growing, mixed collection of about 950 warm growing orchids.

johngingarland
10 years. Mostly Catt species and their varieties.

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Almost 50 years growing orchids- now mainly Paphs and phals but a few of various other genera such as dend, vanda, lycaste, laelia, catts (very few).

orchidnut (Sam in Lincoln, NE)
4 years of growing. 40 mixed var., mostly warm-inter

prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
I've grown at least a few orchids for ...(gasp), 17 years! My collection is pretty varied. I'm focusing on plants that don't die on me too quickly.

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
About forty years, off and on. I have A). what I can afford, B). what is available.

BTague (Barbara, from cold N. Calif.)
I have been for 11 years, I will try whatever that catch my eyes. One end of GH by the heater is warm with Phal/Vandas (not doing too well), the other end is cool, with Disa, Paph, Odm and Den. and everything in between.

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Same situation here plus I grow the phrags and phals in the house

marilyninOttawa
I will repeat the poll as others arrive. Meantime, Susan (Oregon) makes an interesting observation that is at the basis of this discussion. Your focus, Susan, is on plants that don't die!

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I think after a certain amount of time you come to the conclusion your conditions will not be right for certain orchids

marilyninOttawa
I really am not trying to find out your ages *G*. I am, however, trying to see if there is a correlation between the length of experience and the the degree of specialization.

marylois
Probably not, Marilyn - about 50% of the population never learns. *LOL*

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Marilyn - I know what Susan means. I have tried many genera and if they live, I keep on, if they die I don't try soon again. Last year was my year to try masdavallias - bought 3 - killed 3!! Tried many different things but So Cal is just too hot I think. Even in front of the swamp cooler didn't help in the long run.

orchidnut (Sam in Lincoln, NE)
That's why I haven't tried any cool growers. My apt. stays way too warm, esp in winter (steam heat/old building)

marilyninOttawa
It appears that most of us, whatever our length of experience, still have a varied collection. There does seem to be some specialization/adjustment to temperature range . Ellen. When did you come to that realization? Approximate?

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
After about three years and a cemetary of orchids

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Yes Marilyn, specialization does seem to come after you have been in orchids for awhile. You learn just what your GH or growing area will do and you then tend to stay with that group of plants. After all, we can't just run out and buy new ones to replace what died (at least most people that I know!)

onelaelia (ursula in caracas)
Marilyn, have you noticed that women tend to come into orchids MUCH later than men. There are very few female teens in comparison with the number of youngish men.

marilyninOttawa
Do you believe that eventually, some hobbyists will learn how to choose plants that will survive and thrive under their care?

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I think we all come to that point but we always find an orchid we must have that won't thrive despite loving care.

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Ursula - are you saying that early growing is a gender thing? Maybe the outdoor things tend to develop in males sooner IN OUR CULTURE. I think things like this are culturally determined very early.

marilyninOttawa
Ellen, was it experience or cemetery markers (i.e. $$$) that brought about the change?

yoshiko2 (in Ann Arbor)
I find that after 2 yrs of collecting anything I'm homing in on certain orchids which seem to thrive in my environment and reward me with flowers. The others seem to take more effort than I can devote right now.

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Experience is the best teacher. Also knowledgeable people willing to share.

marylois
To a degree, Marilyn - there will always be that effort to attempt to grow something in a new way...and, not all losses are the grower - on some things, I tend to keep looking for a sturdier clone.

paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida)
Ursula, at the risk of sounding like a feminist, I think women come in to orchids later than men because we have less free time for the pursuit of hobbies. (no flames please!)

johngingarland
Seems like to me, that if you're not learning something every day, you're just not paying attention. One has to listen to his plants......

Jane5536 (Huntington L.I. N.Y.)
I agree with that Mary Lois

55SS (James in Fresno)
If I can't get something to grow for me after 2 tries, I skip and go on.

marilyninOttawa
Good point, John. We find it expensive to replace plants. Replacements may no longer be available.

Jane5536 (Huntington L.I. N.Y.)
There are clones & there are clones---

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
James, I'm stubborn. Always feel a change in location or light might make a difference. I also think orchids are very time comsuming if you keep an eye on all your plants.

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Paula that may be quite true. Women with young kids have VERY little time for hobbies like this.

marilyninOttawa
Interesting point Ursula. There may be cultural differences involved, at least between countries.

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Marilyn - some of us however have hard heads and do occasionally keep trying things that we have failed at in the past. I guess hope spring eternal!

marilyninOttawa
Ellen. If I may ask? Why would you acquire something that could not survive under your growing conditions?

yoshiko2 (in Ann Arbor)
True, some of us older women finally learned to make time to do the things which are enjoyable and take time like growing orchids. I thought I had to be supermom.

onelaelia (ursula in caracas)
I don't think it is a matter of time, more of interest. When I was a teenager you could not get me to look at a plant for love or money - literally.

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Marilyn, I always feel I can adapt. I grow under lights, on window sills and in a greenhouse. Somewhere I should be able to grow it.

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
As we get older the money for some things frees up and we then tend to spend more on ourselves (hobbies) Younger people just don't have the ''free'' spending money. Older people have already bought most of the expensive things and thus have more discretionary money

marilyninOttawa
Very good decision Yoshiko. Most of us admire orchids for the flowers. That is the reward promised if we provide appropriate culture. There is not much reward if the plant does not flower or if it dies.

onelaelia (ursula in caracas)
Don't you also hope a miracle will occur and you will be able to bloom marvellous madevallias in the tropics and really hot growing stuff in the cold.

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Ursula - hope always springs eternal!! LOL

marilyninOttawa
Good point Lois. Your comment about 'sturdier clone' brings me to the next point. How do we tell that an orchid is responding to our cultural conditions?

orchidnut (Sam in Lincoln, NE)
First is new growth, I would think...

send Orchids (Marla in Boise)
It doesn't die?

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
It is robust and flowers

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
And new strong roots

marilyninOttawa
I am re-running the POLL for those who came in later. How long have you been growing orchids? Is your collections varied or specialized or is it designed to accommodate a particular temperature range?

prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
I started pretty young. My Mom and Grandmother always had some unusual houseplants around. That kind of stimulated my interest. I know I'm on the right track with a plant when each new growth is larger, glossier, and more robust, than the last.

marylois
...I keep it as long as it holds its own. Have to admit I have things out there that have not bloomed! But THAT is going to change in the next few months...want to give better care to fewer plants that respond.

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
I never did well with Onc until I got Sharry Baby. That is a strong clone and it is growing very well and strongly for me - flowering strongly more than once a year.

marilyninOttawa
How do you 'listen' to your plants John?

marilyninOttawa
You can always limit the number of plants in a collection in order to have time for them all.

marylois
I've been growing for twenty-four years...and it's almost the same - all the genera I can get to grow in LA climate...I do try to stay in the intermediate-warm...but 'intermediate' covers a long range - too long at times.

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Lois - I bet that I can beat you. I have a seedling LC that has never bloomed in the last 35 years!!!! It is now putting out sheaths but they are always blind. Yes, I know that I should have gotten rid of it, but B-G-- I will keep trying to bloom it. Maybe one day.....

onelaelia (ursula in caracas)
Marilyn, I have been growing for approx. 20 some years. My collection is varied. I find that with a changing environment around my house things I grew very well (phals) are lagging, whereas I can suddenly grow catts, gongoras. Have always done well with stanhopeas - albeit not tigrina. Can grow some pleurothallis. Paphs seem to survive mostly.

marylois
And, it took twenty years (and time expended in judging program)to wise up and start cutting back... went from two greenhouses with 3000 to one greenhouse with just over 600...common sense tells me to cut to 300.

Andy NVA
marilyn, I can't limit the number of plants in my collection! I keep buying more....it's addictive.

johngingarland
I check them everyday. I feel the leaves, not all plants:), but most. I look at the leaves and the flowers. I mist and dampen the ground at least twice a day, morning and night, usually at noon also.*G*

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
Perhaps I missed something. I thought 'cool' meant the nightime temp, not the daytime. Same with the 'warm growers.' The day microclimate around a plant is variable, but normally a lot warmer than we would think.

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Marilyn - I inspect them regularly and try to see if they are telling me that they are happy. That is by putting out new growth regularly and that growth is strong and does bloom in its time. An unhappy plant will show it quickly by its leaves going limp are shrivelling or by ther bulbs getting wrinkled (although that is normal for some genera)

marilyninOttawa
Have any of you noticed how an orchid 'plumps up' when conditions are just right? I have noticed this with Masdevallias, Sarcochilus, Paphs, when the temperature, humidity, air movement and water quality are just right for them. They all seem to respond to similar conditions.

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I think air movement is an important part of culture that is sometimes overlooked.

Andy NVA
I'm amazed at how our plants/orchids grow like weeds when given the proper condition to grow.

AORCHID (ART. SIMPSONVILLE SC)
I started growing in college, lost all plants to freeze (50), about 20 yr ago started again 2 yr. ago (100 plants) cats, phals, paphs, miltonia, oncidium.

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Yes air movement is very important here. Stale air is a disaster waiting to happen.

yoshiko2 (in Ann Arbor)
I've been collecting for 2 years and find myself leaning toward Paphs, Phrags, Phals, Miltoniopsis and trying hard to get some Odontoglossums to bloom. These must be mostly cool growers, but in Michigan w/out a greenhouse, I've given up anything which won't grow in the climate we keep the house in. Especially in winter....too expensive to keep the house too warm.

marylois
Art, you are one of the true heros - those who lose plants to storm, freeze, etc, and have the heart to start again!

prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
Yes, Marilyn. My Masds were uncomfortable this hot summer. I was worried about them. But they came around as soon as the cool set in this fall. They'll be fine.

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
How true, how true on air. It is very breezy in the upper canopy.

Andy NVA
Susan, I'm suprised that in Oregon, you have problems with Masds. How warm does it get there?

marilyninOttawa
One way to control the addiction is to give away some earlier, less favorite or space-consuming aquisitions. My Cymbidiums take up a lot of space in winter so I divided and distributed divisions to our super Cymb growers. I retain small divisions which will bloom.

Andy NVA
Marilyn, I'll give plants away to those I know will do well by them. Not always an easy task. I like to know the plants I've nurtured along will prosper.

marilyninOttawa
John. Examining plants regularly is one of the tell-tale signs of a grower with a Green Thumb. The secret lies in the regular observation, not in the color of the thumb *G*

prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
Andy, I'm in the arid eastern part of Oregon. Though we have cool nights, our days can be intensely hot, bright, and xeric.

bradwinn
I had a conversation with NED NASH, this past summer, and he too, explained just how important air circulation is. said it was nature's cleanser.

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
Prankster, try a cool growing plant in a potting situation where it can retain the coolness of the night in spite of the sun.

marylois
Which reminds me, not as many folks at orchid functions have blue hands as they once did! Did everyone go to Dyna-Gro...and now many to Jerry Grow? *G*

marilyninOttawa
Cool growing regimes are generally defined as within a range of 10-15C (50-59F) at night, warmer in the day 15-18C (59-65F), with occasional warmer periods tolerated.

jim4eq (Miami)
That lasts about Jan 23 to March 2 in Miami!! *LOL*

marilyninOttawa
John. What is your action when you observe a plant in an 'unhappy' state?

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
Marilyn, put a temp probe against a plant in the sun, cool wind or not, and see the temp. Then do the same with a catt.

Andy NVA
Interesting point - 'cool growing' plants like Miltoniopsis are more stressed by large fluctuations in temperature than they are by continued elevated temperatures. (I consider Miltoniopsis intermediate growers. ML)

prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
Peet, Im anxious to try some porous sort of pot that will evaporate some water and cool the roots. (I don't and won't use air conditioning!)

johngingarland
It's according to what species, (or hybrid) it is or is from. If it's a Cat, especially the species...and it's wilted sort of, with no apparent reason why, I'll take it out of the pot, and put it in a zip lock bag and blow in it.*G*

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
Prankster, try home fired pots instead of the newer orchid pots I see on the market now,. these new pots seem to be made of a fine clay from Italy, and seem more glazed than the older pots.

marilyninOttawa
Yoshiko. If I may suggest? Paphs and Phrags will likely do well in your cool home. Odontoglossums may require more humidity than you can manage indoors but you might try Rossioglossum grande. With Militoniopsis, you may have to try several different hybrid clones to find ones that suit your conditions.

marilyninOttawa
Air movement is proving to do more for plants than simply refreshing the surround. There is evaporative cooling effect and there may also be some value from the actual (gentle) movement. No hurricanes please *S* (In the American J. of Botany 85(11):1586-1591. 1998, a study looking at the effect of wind-induced leaf movement in the common bean has illustrated a significant and sustained increase in defense-related peroxidase activity occuring in response to air movement. ML)

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Marilyn, are there some plants that are just inferior or weak and don't bloom?

yoshiko2 (in Ann Arbor)
Marilyn, thank you for the advice. I will try and find some Rossioglossum, although I don't believe I've seen these for sale before. Do you think putting the Ondotoglossums in an empty fish tank w/water at the bottom would improve the environment for them?

marilyninOttawa
We have had 15 responses to the poll representing over 252 years of collective experience. Thank you!

Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
Prankster: I heard of a cooling method. Put your orchid pot into a large clay pot and fill the space with moss and keep damp.

Andy NVA
I have found a marked increase in growth AND flower when using a blossom booster fert. that has ammonical nitrogen as a source of nitrogen. It's all I use now.

marylois
252 years! And there's still no black orchid? *G*

AORCHID (ART. SIMPSONVILLE SC)
just curious who has been growing orchids the longest?

marilyninOttawa
I find that with species, behavior can vary greatly between individuals.

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
I have heard that one should stay away from urea nitrogen except in the terrestrials, the real ones, like phaius.

marylois
I'd bet on John Yates *S* Believe he started very young.

prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
Yoshiko, Rossios are my FAVES! I've found a few for sale. I especially like Rawdon Jester (grande x williamsianum). Woodland orchids, Orchids of Los Osos, Dowery Orchid Nursury, and Andys Orchids on a Stick have carried various Rossio species.

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Marilyn, Jane and I are friends and live close to each other. We have been comparing phrags. Each one of us has bloomed plants that are smaller than the others . There seems to be a difference in vigor especially with phrags.

marilyninOttawa
I grow my Disas in a south-facing window all winter. It can be hot when the sun reflects off the snow onto the plastic pots so I place a sheet of syrofoam between the pots and the sun. The roots stay cool and the plants stay happy.

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
marilyn, what surprised me was the high temp of supposedly cool growing orchids, in cool conditions. But the leaf surface in light was remarkable warm! (Must check this out! ML)

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Marilyn are there duds that won't bloom?

AORCHID (ART. SIMPSONVILLE SC)
Is there anything to look for when you pick out an orchid seedling as to which may be a better plant (flower) than the others?

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
Aorchid, I count the growths, and the size. If there are many growths and no startling increase in size, the plant may be a weedy grower. I like a plant that has, from the smallest growth to the two inch pot size, say three growths, no more.

marilyninOttawa
Ellen. Yes. There are some plants that don't bloom or rarely bloom. Reluctant bloomers may be spectacularwhen they do bloom and so are purchased without the realization that a repeat performance may be a long way off. Some plants are inherently weak: they fail to thrive. From a horticultural standpoint, infrequent bloomers may be as bad as poor quality bloomers. Weak plants may take valuable bench space that could be filled with a vigorous plant.

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I have Blc.Ports of Paradise. Grows Beautifully, no flowers. How do you know when a plant is mature enough to bloom?

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
ML that points to something we too seldom do, pitch junk. If it is junk, even if we paid good money; pitch it!

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I have trouble throwing a plant out.

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
Ellen, does it make a sheath?

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
No

AORCHID (ART. SIMPSONVILLE SC)
How many times does a plant need to bloom before we know it is junk?

marilyninOttawa
Yoshiko. You could try that approach but it might be better to try a different plant than a straight Odontoglossum/Odontioda. If you really want to grow those, then I suggest asking one of the West Coast growers for recommendations of particular clones that will grow well under less than perfect conditions. Some clones are very unforgiving. You could try Odontoglossum intergenerics such as Colmanara Wildcatt.

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
Is that Ports Of Paradise over a foot tall? three growths?

Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
I have a Blc. Maharanee that has a huge ruffled flower, purple with white splashes. Blooms every 2 years, no new growth on off year. Finally figured out that it initates growth only after repotting (every 2 years!).

marylois
'Emerald Isle' is a notorious infrequent bloomer...I find 'Lemon Ruffles' more dependable.

marilyninOttawa
We have come close Lois. Cstm Black Knight?

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Sometimes it's not the plant but the grower. Sometimes moving into more or less light, or slightly warmer sets the buds.

bradwinn
I have had to stress Emerald Isle to make it bloom.

prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
Lois, That Emerald Isle has a lot of Rhyn. digbyiana in its pedegree, perhaps?

marylois
Yep, that's pretty black, Marilyn *S* Thanks - you got us thinking! In my case, it reinforces what I must do.

marilyninOttawa
My B. digbyana flowers on every second growth. That is how this particular clone behaves. Others could be and probably are different in their behaviour.

Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
I try my junk on this well-branched 5 ft. Ficus log I have, it can always be background. Example: vigorous Chocolate Drop x Lc. Lisa Ann = brown masdevallia wannabe!

marylois
Yes, Susan, Blc. Ports of Paradise 'Emerald Isle' is 1/2 digbyana - with another touch further back - yet its clone 'Lemon Ruffles' is less fincky.

BTague (Barbara, N. Calif)
For me those plants that I pamper and kiss up to, are not doing too hot. Those I hardly check, or water, they are doing better. Does this tell me some thing.

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Barbara, a little neglect is a healthy thing.

jim4eq (Miami)
Barbara, sounds like your plants like a green thumb not brown nose. ;-D

marylois
The real kick in the pants is to go off on vacation, and the person who was to water for you does it only once in three weeks - and the plants look better upon your return!

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I think as time goes you adapt. I love those big catts but my greenhouse really doesn't provide enough light so I try to grow fall bloomers and take advantage of summering outdoors.

bradwinn
Yes seems the plants I neglect sometimes do the best, I have found plants in the back doing very well at times.

marilyninOttawa
Perhaps these observations give us cause for reflection. When we are 'lured' by a particular bloom, it might be a good idea to first inquire as to the plant's vigor and reliability of bloom - before buying.

marilyninOttawa
Pampering means? overwatering? Overfertilizing?

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
Marilyn, do you really have that much control over your 'greed?' I don't.

marilyninOttawa
I have observed that collections tend to have a preponderance of plants blooming for the local show time.

marilyninOttawa
Control is relative, Peet. I vowed (and have kept to it) not to increase my growing area from what it was 18 years ago. I could have had a permanent greenhouse but realized that a small greenhouse or even a big one would never accommodate my collection 'habit'. When the plants I have given away show up on our showtable, in their prime, I get my reward.

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
Marilyn, what remarkable control. I crowd, and give away, and divide, and layer, and reflect. The schemes I have come up with!

marilyninOttawa
Well, it is time to call it a night. Thank you everyone for your participation. Next session, we will be dealing with orchids a gifts. What should you be giving to someone who has never grown an orchid before? What should you provide to assist them in growing the plant for future enjoyment? Should be a good topic with a conservation bent. Good night.

BTague (Barbara, N. Calif)
Good night Marilyn, sorry I was only here part of the time.

prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
Marilyn, Many thanks! This was a great topic!

Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
For a gift to a non grower I'd pick an orchid sturdy enough to be sold in my grocery store.

Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
Nite all

I really am not trying to find out your ages *G*. I am, however, trying to see if there is a correlation between the length of experience and the the degree of specialization.

We had 15 responses to the poll representing over 252 years of collective experience. Long experience did not equate with specialization: most collections were said to be somewhat varied.

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA) summed up the hobbyist maturation process very well in: "Yes Marilyn, specialization does seem to come after you have been in orchids for awhile. You learn just what your GH or growing area will do and you then tend to stay with that group of plants. After all, we can't just run out and buy new ones to replace what died (at least most people that I know!)"

POLL RESPONSES (in decending order of experience)

JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Almost 50 years growing orchids - now mainly Paphs and phals but a few of various other genera such as dend, vanda, lycaste, laelia, catts (very few).

peeteilis (blooming idiot)
About forty years, off and on. I have A). what I can afford, B). what is available.

MarilyninOttawa
I have been growing orchids for 28 years. I have a varied collection but am limited to the intermediate range.

marylois
I've been growing for twenty-four years...and it's almost the same - all the genera I can get to grow in LA climate...I do try to stay in the intermediate-warm...but 'intermediate' covers a long range - too long at times.

onelaelia (ursula in caracas)
Marilyn, I have been growing for approx. 20 some years. My collection is varied. I find that with a changing environment around my house things I grew very well (phals) are lagging, whereas I can suddenly grow catts, gongoras. Have always done well with stanhopeas - albeit not tigrina. Can grow some pleurothallis. Paphs seem to survive mostly.

prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
I've grown at least a few orchids for ...(gasp), 17 years! My collection is pretty varied. I'm focusing on plants that don't die on me too quickly. I started pretty young. My Mom and Grandmother always had some unusual houseplants around. That kind of stimulated my interest. I know I'm on the right track with a plant when each new growth is larger, glossier, and more robust, than the last.

BTague (Barbara, from cold N. Calif.)
I have been for 11 years, I will try whatever that catch my eyes. One end of GH by the heater is warm with Phal/Vandas (not doing too well), the other end is cool, with Disa, Paph, Odm and Den. and everything in between.

Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
11 years, varied, all kinds, warm intermediate and cool plus I grow the phrags and phals in the house.

johngingarland
10 years. Mostly Catt species and their varieties.

55SS (James in Fresno)
7yrs, and whatever catches my eye....

paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida)
5 years growing, mixed collection of about 950 warm growing orchids.

orchidnut (Sam in Lincoln, NE)
4 years of growing. 40 mixed var., mostly warm-inter

AORCHID (ART. SIMPSONVILLE SC)
I started growing in college, lost all plants to freeze (50), about 20 yr ago started again 2 yr. ago (100 plants) cats, phals, paphs, miltonia, oncidium.

yoshiko2 (in Ann Arbor)
I've been collecting for 2 years and find myself leaning toward Paphs, Phrags, Phals, Miltoniopsis and trying hard to get some Odontoglossums to bloom. These must be mostly cool growers, but in Michigan w/out a greenhouse, I've given up anything which won't grow in the climate we keep the house in. Especially in winter....too expensive to keep the house too warm.

Andy NVA
Marilyn, I can't limit the number of plants in my collection! I keep buying more....it's addictive.