The perfect mix of orchids...

[Piper]

So how many do you have, Mehera? Counting pots - two of the same thing, if they're in separate pots counts as two.

It's actually fun to update my journals (with current photos, or Web photos if I don't have any of my own, notes on growth, checking changes in blooming seasons, etc.) The next best thing to playing with the plants! Which I'm doing today - lots of 'chid puttering this afternoon!

Julie

[Mehera]

So I had to have lunch and get up the courage to count.

I have 39 pots--most of them large. This number doesn't reflect the tray full of little itty bitty paphs, even though they have their own pots. I mean, I take them everywhere together on that tray, so of course, that only counts as one.

Most of my pots are 6" and up because my habit is to usually order two of one plant and plant them together for a nice full established-looking pot with lots of blooms. Also helps them not to dry out so fast in this arid climate. I know this isn't usually done, but hey, I'm a long ways away from the nearest orchid society. :-) My theory is that it's like planting tulips--they look best in groups of the same. And the way the collection looks in my living room is important to me.

So I'm glad we're only counting POTS here....

And it doesn't include the new orchids that will arrive next week. I figure this thing is self limiting in that to water all these little thirsties I have to haul them to the kitchen sink. Not a trivial task.

[Piper]

Sure...dream on! Self-limiting means less than a thousand. I thought I was nuts when I was approaching 50 (orchids). My joke became that it wasn't polite to ask once you got over 40... (My friends ask the current count all the time, just to reinforce how certifiable I am!)

Then I went out of control this spring and early summer. I think it was my finger - I couldn't pipe and I had all that extra time I'd spend practicing, to think about orchids, surf for photos, discover new vendors and plop stuff into my shopping cart. Very, very dangerous!

By the way, the itty bitties count! One pot, one count!

Julie

[Diane]

I figure this thing is self limiting in that to water all these little thirsties I have to haul them to the kitchen sink. Not a trivial task.

Not that I'd ever want to encourage anyone to buy tooooo many orchids, but I invested in a small rolling microwave cart - 2 levels, and you can load up a bunch of pots and take them to the sink all at once......

Heee Heee Heeeeeee....

[Piper]

And a quick dry in the microwave ensures no crown rot and endless mutations...

Julie

[Mehera]

And a quick dry in the microwave ensures no crown rot and endless mutations...

Julie

And they taste something like asparagus! Um-UMM!

[Mehera]

...just plain evil, Diane! What is this, orchid enablers anonymous?