New Member

[CharlesD]

Hi All,

I’ve been a long time lurker on here. I had a lot of orchids and mostly paphs about 13 years ago, was out of touch with hobby for a while but kept some plants going and now I’ve been getting back into it the last few years. It’s nice to see a lot of the people on this forum that I saw when I looked on here a decade ago. I’ve learned a lot from posts on here. I have mostly and a few other genera. I’m interested in complex paphs in particular but I have a mix of species and some primary hybrids as well. I grow indoors under lights and outdoors during summer in Pennsylvania.

Best,

Charles

 

[Linus_Cello]

Where in PA? By Pittsburgh, Philly or Central PA (State College, Hershey, etc.)

 

[CharlesD]

I’m outside Kennett square in Chester county but I’m from Philly originally. I’ve been to the Paph forum the last few years so we might have crossed paths there.

 

[Linus_Cello]

Yup, I've been to almost every PF since 2009 (working as Treasurer/Cashier from 2010-2014).

 

[Ray]

Welcome from a former Doylestonian who worked in Exton. Now on a barrier island in NC.

 

[Morja]

Welcome/Welcome back, from Idaho USA!

 

[big923cattleya]

Welcome, welcome, welcome!!! Maybe we can get you seriously involved with the forums and lurk no more. But regardless, so glad you decided to post.
I grow under lights myself and my collection is compact Cattleyas, compact Paphiopedilums and a few other things. I grow both species and hybrids.
Again, good to meet you.

 

[hkunberger]

Welcome from Virginia!

 

[CharlesD]

Thanks everybody! Since I have mostly complex paphs, I have a lot in bud that I can hopefully share as they bloom out this winter

 

[CharlesD]

Welcome from a former Doylestonian who worked in Exton. Now on a barrier island in NC.

I used to horseback ride at a place in Furlong. I also used to make a lot of trips to Parkside while they were open. Do you know if John and Tom are still around? I thought they moved to Florida but I guess they would be pretty old now. They were so nice.

 

[NYEric]

They closed the business and moved to Hawaii. Welcome from NYC.

 

[CharlesD]

That makes sense I know they were good friends with James at Hilo. I wasn’t around for when the new owners closed it but it sounded unfortunate to say the least.

 

[Bailey Hale]

Welcome from Madeira!

I'm new here too, but I've been into orchids for about 25 years ago. I was an intern in 2000 at Longwood Gardens and got to manage all of the orchid houses while the head gardeners took vacations, so I really found my love of orchids right there in your backyard.

 

[LadySlipper]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[orchidlife]

Welcome to the forum/BACK to the forum from Southern California.
I also grow under lights, many complex and hybrid paph, alot of phrags, catts and a smattering of others.
Here is one little section, my display area for tall spike plants

 

[CharlesD]

Welcome from Madeira!

I'm new here too, but I've been into orchids for about 25 years ago. I was an intern in 2000 at Longwood Gardens and got to manage all of the orchid houses while the head gardeners took vacations, so I really found my love of orchids right there in your backyard.

I work very close to Longwood - I’m sure that was a cool experience. They’re just finishing up a huge renovation (I think it was $300 million) where they tore down a lot of those old greenhouses. I think most of the orchids are now kept in different complex on the other side of route 1.

I am very envious of your current location from the pictures you have posted! My dad’s family is Cuban and when they fled the country I believe his grandfather retired in the Canary Islands.

 

[CharlesD]

Welcome to the forum/BACK to the forum from Southern California.
I also grow under lights, many complex and hybrid paph, alot of phrags, catts and a smattering of others.
Here is one little section, my display area for tall spike plants

Thank you! I think we might both be using the same racking and lighting system. It’s nice how easily available a reasonably priced LED set up is these days. I used to grow with a southeast window but the plants grow so much more consistently with the lights.

 

[Duck Slipper]

Welcome to ST, from Kentucky!

 

[CharlesD]

Welcom to ST, from Kentucky!

Thank you! My moms family is out in Louisville, KY

 

[Nancy T]

Welcome. I also grow under LED lights and am very pleased with the plant growth. I no longer put some of my plants outside in the summer as I do not want to bring any insects back into the house in the fall.