I'm wondering where we all were the first time we saw orchids and were hooked, who was a key guide and mentor, which books were/are most important to you and which orchid just seemed to be 'the one' at that or any time? Which genera did you start with and what changes happened and why?
Don't have to list all, just share the big things!
My mother grew all sorts of house plants and when I was in high school she tried some of those 'orchids in net bags' probably from the sun bulb company. She also had a houseplant encyclopedia which had many orchid species in it that I checked out often. She didn't do well with the orchids (near window but too high so too dark) so I felt compelled to try.
Got some plants from tioga gardens display atrium and then she told me of this magical place in homer ny where in winter she walked into these warm, humid greenhouses with all these flowers and bird cages in the middle. I resisted for awhile but one day went and met Jim and grace rice of rices orchids. He grew tons of species that he'd imported pre cites, often going himself and buying or collecting, and always meeting and making friends with local collectors. Lots of people helped Jim and grace in exchange for plants since they'd quickly spent all their money
. Jim was famous partly for hospitality and would invite all into his dining room for scotch or beer and lunch of course and discussion of all sorts would ensue, often teachers from nearby schools would be there and talk about their specialty (bill brown and ants)
After some point my mother also told me about walking into the vestal public library and seeing this orchid club having a meeting and sat down; was the southern tier orchid society and I ended up joining. I discovered the aos bulletin and spent many hours scouring pages reading articles and ads
That was the start, what's your story?
Don't have to list all, just share the big things!
My mother grew all sorts of house plants and when I was in high school she tried some of those 'orchids in net bags' probably from the sun bulb company. She also had a houseplant encyclopedia which had many orchid species in it that I checked out often. She didn't do well with the orchids (near window but too high so too dark) so I felt compelled to try.
Got some plants from tioga gardens display atrium and then she told me of this magical place in homer ny where in winter she walked into these warm, humid greenhouses with all these flowers and bird cages in the middle. I resisted for awhile but one day went and met Jim and grace rice of rices orchids. He grew tons of species that he'd imported pre cites, often going himself and buying or collecting, and always meeting and making friends with local collectors. Lots of people helped Jim and grace in exchange for plants since they'd quickly spent all their money
. Jim was famous partly for hospitality and would invite all into his dining room for scotch or beer and lunch of course and discussion of all sorts would ensue, often teachers from nearby schools would be there and talk about their specialty (bill brown and ants)After some point my mother also told me about walking into the vestal public library and seeing this orchid club having a meeting and sat down; was the southern tier orchid society and I ended up joining. I discovered the aos bulletin and spent many hours scouring pages reading articles and ads
That was the start, what's your story?
