BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Orchids

I have always loved orchids, never owned one - two expensive for my budget - but I remain fascinated by the different types.

Anyone has a orchid?

If yes, what made you buy it?

The beauty?

I love orchids too. I mainly have bought them from Wal-Mart and have even managed to get a few to rebloom for me!

"Luck"? I have my orchids on a shelf with fluorescent lights, and it's cool in the room.

Hi SheilaL:

I will try the "fluorescent lights" - thanks

Angela

I wait and buy then after they have stopped blooming, you can get them for cheap then. The orchid I have now is putting blooms on. I put it outside this summer in dappled shade. You have to keep it damp but not really wet. I also give it fertilizer. I have a betta fish and use his water when I change his bowl to water the orchid.

Hi conniem:

Thanks for responding to my post.

Any particular "fertilizer" or just one for orchids?

Hmmmm, interesting about using your betta fish water (lol). Don't have a fish, but this reminds me of folks that use egg shells and coffee grounds in their garden. Love the re use of stuff and of course the low impact on the environment.

Did you come up with this on your own or did you read about it?

Thank you,
Angela

My mom had bought me a couple of books about orchids. That is probably where I learned about it. I used to have a bunch of fish tanks, but when I fractured my ankle a coupld of years ago they all had to go because no one wanted to clean them! Most of my high maintenance plants died too as I couldn't take care of them. I used to use the fish water on all my houseplants. You can't use too much of it and burn the plants like you can with commercially produced fertilizer. You can buy orchid specific fertilizer, just follow the directions on the label.

My hubby composts and also raises worms for the castings and it is like liquid gold. We have big wonderful tomato plants in the summer. He puts the castings in my houseplants every now and again and you can tell they really benefit from that.

Hi conniem:

Wow, I am impressed - a compost.

Is your ankle now okay?

Have you bought any orchids from a flea market? I have not, but heard of successful sales.

Angela

Well, don't be impressed with me lol...compost is all hubby's deal. Right now he is working hay, leaves and cow manure into the garden getting it ready for spring planting.

Yeah, I don't even have a limp. I thought I was going to have one for a long time. I slipped on the ice on the front porch and fell and sat on my ankle. It was horrible! I still won't go outside if it is icy now.

The orchid I have now was a present from my grandaughter for Mothers Day. They got it from WalMart. I wish we had flea markets around here but I live in the middle of nowhere!