O
Oscarman
Guest
Ok, I'll be the 121st!
My name is Dave and I'm an orchid addict. I live in Edmonton, which is the capital city of Alberta - Canada's sunniest province. Edmonton has a population of 730,372. At 264 square miles it covers an area larger than Chicago, Philadelphia, Toronto or Montreal and gives us one of the lowest population densities in North America. I have been in the food industry all my life and for the last 3 years teaching Culinary Arts at NAIT. My wife is an EA at an engineering company and licensed massage therapist. We have 2 beautiful girls 3.5 yrs and 5 mths.
Although I did not know it at the time, I started collecting orchids in 1985. After reading an article about Plants by Mail-order I sent away for some catalogues from Canadian Orchid Growers. Reading their catalogues was like reading a good novel; a story that deserved to be read over and over. After placing several orders and being fascinated by the myriad that existed I began to seek more.
Joining our local society, I soon discovered ways to acquire many more orchids. Local hobbyists selling their excesses, group orders from specialized nurseries in exotic locations, society show and sales and the WOC. Plants quickly began to occupy various areas of our home and I yearned for more. There were always more interesting flowers of different colors and scents needing purchase.
Soon the design of elaborate shelving units, light set ups with multiple bulbs, timers and automatic drainage systems occupied my waking thoughts. Any trip became an excuse for an orchid hunting expedition. An open air Jeep tour in Hawaii became an orchid safari. A Florida bound honeymoon allowed for poolside relaxation while waiting for orchid deliveries. Attending a World Orchid Conference became the sole goal of a trip to its location. I even considered ways to live and work in the US at any of the major orchid firms, dreaming of what a fascinating life one could have working for growers such as Fennels, Jones & Scully, Stewarts or Hauserman's.
After a purchasing a home plans began to erect massive greenhouses, schemes devised on the demolition of an adjoining property to allow its consumption into my grand vision. After a while a spark of reality burned through this mesmerizing haze and I was smacked hard in the face with the cold facts of Alberta, greenhouses and -35° C winters.
I had become aware of the craze that was consuming me. Orchids were my fix. My voice could often be heard....."I really need this one" or "that is so unique and now I have enough". But it was never enough - I was orchid drunk. If I going to get one plant, three would result. Multiple vendor sales equaled uncontrolled lust. Like a feeding frenzy, I gorged at every opportunity. Something had to be done.
My attention turned inwards and after many more years, I resigned myself to the non-commercial orchid grower lifestyle. My focus narrowed to 3 main alliances: Cattleya, Phalaenopsis and Cypripedium. Flasks and seedlings began sprouting up everywhere and growing within the comfy shelter of my basement. Slowly building to a selection of orchids that can be cultured for my interest and allow the excess to be sold as required.
That is the story of my addiction.
My name is Dave and I'm an orchid addict. I live in Edmonton, which is the capital city of Alberta - Canada's sunniest province. Edmonton has a population of 730,372. At 264 square miles it covers an area larger than Chicago, Philadelphia, Toronto or Montreal and gives us one of the lowest population densities in North America. I have been in the food industry all my life and for the last 3 years teaching Culinary Arts at NAIT. My wife is an EA at an engineering company and licensed massage therapist. We have 2 beautiful girls 3.5 yrs and 5 mths.
Although I did not know it at the time, I started collecting orchids in 1985. After reading an article about Plants by Mail-order I sent away for some catalogues from Canadian Orchid Growers. Reading their catalogues was like reading a good novel; a story that deserved to be read over and over. After placing several orders and being fascinated by the myriad that existed I began to seek more.
Joining our local society, I soon discovered ways to acquire many more orchids. Local hobbyists selling their excesses, group orders from specialized nurseries in exotic locations, society show and sales and the WOC. Plants quickly began to occupy various areas of our home and I yearned for more. There were always more interesting flowers of different colors and scents needing purchase.
Soon the design of elaborate shelving units, light set ups with multiple bulbs, timers and automatic drainage systems occupied my waking thoughts. Any trip became an excuse for an orchid hunting expedition. An open air Jeep tour in Hawaii became an orchid safari. A Florida bound honeymoon allowed for poolside relaxation while waiting for orchid deliveries. Attending a World Orchid Conference became the sole goal of a trip to its location. I even considered ways to live and work in the US at any of the major orchid firms, dreaming of what a fascinating life one could have working for growers such as Fennels, Jones & Scully, Stewarts or Hauserman's.
After a purchasing a home plans began to erect massive greenhouses, schemes devised on the demolition of an adjoining property to allow its consumption into my grand vision. After a while a spark of reality burned through this mesmerizing haze and I was smacked hard in the face with the cold facts of Alberta, greenhouses and -35° C winters.
I had become aware of the craze that was consuming me. Orchids were my fix. My voice could often be heard....."I really need this one" or "that is so unique and now I have enough". But it was never enough - I was orchid drunk. If I going to get one plant, three would result. Multiple vendor sales equaled uncontrolled lust. Like a feeding frenzy, I gorged at every opportunity. Something had to be done.
My attention turned inwards and after many more years, I resigned myself to the non-commercial orchid grower lifestyle. My focus narrowed to 3 main alliances: Cattleya, Phalaenopsis and Cypripedium. Flasks and seedlings began sprouting up everywhere and growing within the comfy shelter of my basement. Slowly building to a selection of orchids that can be cultured for my interest and allow the excess to be sold as required.
That is the story of my addiction.
