What do your Friends And Family think of your Orchid Hobby

[orchidsal]

Hello Everyone out there in the land of Hope (they bloom) and glory (when they do bloom!). I was wondering what your friends and family think of this orchid hobby of yours? I can tell you my family seems supportive as long I have something in flower. If things are growing well, but few or no blooms, I get "where are the flowers". They want instant floral gratification. Any why I hope this can be fun for all of you! AL

[Kmac]

Hi Al--

Since collection size may have a bearing on family reaction, mine is currently around 50-55 plants, grown outdoors in summer, and now under lights in the house. It has probably doubled in size in the past 6 months.

My husband is supportive, my son doesn't say a whole lot, and my daughter doesn't think orchids are "all that pretty" but she is "glad you have a hobby, mom". I'm pretty sure my friends think I am a bit obssessed, and one says "you do realize that you've replaced your daughter (a freshman off at college this year) with orchids, don't you?" But at least she says it with a laugh. She's partly right..although I have loved orchids for years & always had a few, I do have more time for orchids now that my daughter & her friends (many of whom were in my Scout troop) are off to college.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I feel pretty sure my friends think I am possessed by some orchid demon and my family has given up any hope of me ever growing veggies in my greenhouse. hahaha... I mean, I manage an orchid forum, I am on the executive board of my orchid society, I have met most of the big orchid vendors in person, hahah... yeah, come to think of it, I am pretty sure my friends think I am an orchid nut. I even have a bumper sticker that that says it all:




So yeah, they probably think I am a bit obsessed - but they love me and love to visit my home and greenhouse to see the beautiful blooms.

Cheers,
BD

[orchidsal]

Hi Kathi: I got more than a few laughs reading your post. Really enjoyed it! AL

[orchidsal]

Hello Bruce; That is another thing I get asked often by people......"So do you raise anything in that greenhouse of yours that you can eat". My answer is always "Well I have this Blue Flax Lily that has blue and yellow flowers, that when they drop, produces edible berries". They then look at me like.......Ah, that is it?! So yes some friends think I am hopeless to.

[espranch]

All of my family/friends know that I have two hobbies...Horses and Orchids, in that order. It's been that way for almost fifty years and it's NOT GOING TO CHANGE! They love the orchid flowers and cannot understand "why" they can't grow them! I just smile.

[Daethen]

My friends are supportive, my husband could care less either way, my mom in law rolls her eyes and says I used to like orchids.

[Paph]

My friends roll their eyes mainly because they do not understand what do I see on these orchids. Son came to visit me for the Christmas and brought me a gift, saying - this time I bought something else, because you already have all the orchids

[cindiras]

My co-workers say "Oh, you raise orchids? Aren't they hard to grow?", My friends say "Nice flower". My family says "Another orchid? At least it's not another bird." My bird club friends say " Oh, yeah, so and so ( another budgie breeder) has orchids, too!" Why do you suppose those freinds that are obsessed with budgies as I am, seem to handle the idea of an orchid obsession so much better than others do?

[pavel]

Family & longtime friends are "resigned" to my obsession. Few of my non-orchid friends will brave a show with me -- they have learned the hard way that I can easily spend an hour at a show. (Yeah, who am I kidding ... only an hour? Yeah right! That'll be the day.)

Have a few friends who have opined that I should go into growing orchids as a business. They're surprised when I say no not really interested. I know enough folks in the industry to know just how tough it can be to make a living at it. That and I don't know that I would enjoy orchids as much if they became a business and not a hobby.