I’ve bought a half dozen orchids over the past 20 or so years, usually gifts for my wife. Every time, within a few months, the flowers would always fall off, then we’d get tired at looking at the floppy green leafy plant and throw them out. Bought my wife a purple phal orchid last year for Mother’s Day (the purple one in the tall teal pot, center window second from right). Last winter after the flowers fell off, I did a quick Google on orchid care and saw that you can clip the flower spikes and they can possibly re-flower. It came back this spring with a larger flower spike with twice as many blooms.
From that point on, I was hooked. I started picking them up anytime I saw them for a reasonable price. I’m in Canada, it’s really hard to find the more rare species, so it’s all been phals. I’ve got a couple clearance rehab plants (to the left of the original purple unit) that are coming back strong, I’ve started to do proper care with watering and food and they seem to really love our kitchen nook window. I think they’re one of the most beautiful plants and flowers, and I’m excited to expand my collection and start looking at different mounting and growing and display options as the collection grows.
Super cool community on Reddit too!
by fluffnubs
27 Comments
That’s a totally acceptable number of orchids and that looks like a great nook for phals!
I mean it’s not a bad problem to have. Welcome 🙌
Calling this a problem is silly 😂
Yeah…the problem is that you need a new wife 🤣🤣 No but seriously…your wife
https://preview.redd.it/9flvif1uk20g1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9120978e69e149eb6507a5f55581fdf14d97b13
would HATE my house then lol….
My living room alone has 100 sq/ft of plants minimum, not including the hanging plants. If you have a problem I need to be institutionalized 😜
It’s not a problem. It is a collection and a healthy hobby. That’s what I tell my husband.
I thought it was a problem when I had this many. I now have 60 of different varieties and it’s still not a problem. 😁
Sounds as if maybe you do… And, it’s her?
…
(I kid!)
It’s not a problem , until you need a bigger house , and you rescue all the sick orchids you see because otherwise you feel like an evil monster knowing they will die other wise lol may or may not just rescued 12 sickly orchid (at least they were free which means ,I don’t have a problem)
Join your local orchid society and meet other people who understand. And don’t mind my user flair 😊.
My wife told me that with my cactus and I said I’m just getting started!
I mean the Happy Birthday is a little crooked. Other than that I think you could fit a couple more orchids.
The birthday sign is a little crooked and you could have more orchids but nothing that cannot be easily fixed.
Your problem is her. (Joking aside, looks like you have the perfect setup for them)
They look gorgeous. It’s so special when they re-flower!
I am sitting next to…about 90 orchids in my kitchen. They make me so happy every day. They’re mostly minis, but still, you are a looooong way from a problem.
Great collection! Tell your wife that is a VERY modestly sized collection!
Hobby not problem.. better than gambling with the boys until 2am at the local watering hole.
Tell her be careful what she wishes for, lol
https://preview.redd.it/6ycpyaae130g1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a99619d5a3f36d00c92c46a87610986c4a0271a
My mentor has like 4 of these… 😂 your wife will be okay.
https://preview.redd.it/56n724ar130g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0339436dc0783143ced2da4f1bd3e0afb874c7c2
I recently got into these… I have had my first flowering and die back and now I have 2 healthy plants growing and hopefully soon they will start regrowing flowers soon.
Your problem is that you need more space for your orchids.
I will never understand how some people will look at beautiful green, thriving life with pretty flowers around them and think it’s a problem! Growing up in a house with nothing but plastic and ceramic decorations and with the blinds and curtains closed 24/7, I yearn for the liveliness and natural beauty of plants, they make any space feel rejuvenating and they are the best decorations.
Tell your wife you’ve joined an ~~enabler~~ support group that will help set you straight.
Straight to more orchids.
I started with phals similar to you 3 years ago. I started going to an annual orchid show in our city after one year. You can find a lot of non-phal orchids there. I also started ordering online this year. I have over 60 orchids now, with half phals and half non-phals like cattleya, oncidium, paph/phrag, and dendrobium.
She’s right you need more plant stands to properly lean into the hobby
Don’t feel bad at one time I had around 150 plants. Made a 25×60 patio for them to live on. It was awesome.