Tropicals & Tender Perennials: At what point are you an addict?, 1 by dyzzypyxxy

dyzzypyxxy wrote:
Great to see you back, Franco! You probably know you've exchanged your tropical plant addiction for a worse one. Orchids are irresistible - Expensive, slow growing (which might be very good for you) and there's an almost unlimited variety. Since you already have nearly 100, you must have a good job to support such a habit. Or lots of indulgent relatives who buy them for you as gifts? That's how I get mine, generally.

Even though I live in Florida, I swore I would never grow orchids, since they're not all easy. But then my daughter bought me two Phals for my birthday a couple of years ago, and I'm hooked. Daughter now keeps a 'wish list' of types that I want. As of yesterday when my gifts arrived from my kids, I now have 15. I want types that I can grow outside in my yard, preferably year 'round. I need them to be relatively low-maintenance because we do travel often.

Here are my newest fav's Spathoglottis plicata. They're ground orchids that I can grow in the shady border here. Some I've had since the summer have been blooming non-stop for 4 months! You really should take a look at the Orchids forum - tons of good info there.

Elaine