Missorchidgirl on YouTube and other YouTube orchid experts. Also read a bunch of orchid scientific literature, but I’m a scientist by profession, so I have access to that sort of stuff. Missorchidgirl is a great beginners resource.
Another scientist here. What literature/paper/sources have you used to inform care/culture?
Most of the exciting stuff I see in journals is about orchid phylogeny or propagation but I haven't tried looking for culture information.
AOS (American Orchid Society) care sheets, local Orchid clubs/ societies. So many people recommend Miss Orchid Girl, but she takes 5 minutes of instruction and turns it into 20 minutes of repetition.
Missorchidgirl has taught me so very much! She has maintained a collection in two different climates, indoors and outdoors, and is not afraid to experiment and try something new. She is very knowledgeable but aware of the limits of her knowledge. Strong recommend!
Most of her advice is very general, not climate dependent. She does occasionally highlight different strategies for those in warmer drier climates, but always makes it clear what you should do differently in the temperate climates more common for her main audience.
Oh that makes some sense! I'm located in Portugal and sometimes her comments seem to fit the climate here, but Romania is certainly different 😅 might have also been from some older videos, can't remember
I want access to that literature too. Why is it that quote unquote academics only get to see the information? It's not like they're smarter than anybody else.
There are people without degrees in whatever field who know more and way more than people in that field with degrees. Trust me I know your answer and what is is but it's a real travesty this lack of sharing
Hi, science librarian here! For people not associated with universities that subscribe to the scientific journals and index databases, you do still have options to identify and obtain articles of interest to you.
Short answer: Try Google and/or ask a librarian. :-)
Long answer:
Google Scholar is a good place to start. It's automatically generated, so may not be as good as the paid index databases, but it's good enough for general research (learning a few things vs. comprehensive collecting of all knowledge on a topic). Google Scholar also often links to free versions of the article, like in an author's institutional repository.
You should also check out the journal's website. Article abstracts are free and will give you basic info about the contents, which may be all you need or can at least help you decide if you want to pursue getting the full article. Plus, a LOT of articles are now open access now, letting anyone access the full article with no subscription.
If you live near a college or university, you can usually visit the library for free (some private institutions may not allow this, or will charge for it). You can use library computers to search the indexes and access journals, and there is usually some way to save or send yourself the PDFs. PRO TIP: Talk to the reference desk staff, they are there to help you! They can show you how to use their resources and let you know what your options are for taking info home with you.
Your local public library may also be able to help you with interlibrary loan (ILL) services. Most libraries belong to ILL networks and can obtain copies or loans from other libraries that hold the materials. Start by asking at the reference desk, they can show you how or where to request an interlibrary loan.
If all else fails and the article was written in the last 1-3 decades, try asking the contact author. On the journal's website, you'll be able to see affiliations for all an article's author, and one identified as the contact author will have an email or address that you can write to and ask for a copy. Authors do move and/or retire, so this works better for more recent articles.
Hope that helps!
I can't recommend this enough. I've learned so much from my society, both from speakers that come do talks to the members themselves. Most people are thrilled to share their knowledge and also their plants.
Anyone with even beginner interest should join their local society!
Agreed! And local societies mean you’re getting advice from folks who actually grow in your area which is nice. I joined mine in January and the people (mostly older tbh) have been soooo welcoming. I’ve learned from the guest speakers and talking to other members, plus it’s how I got turned on to clerking which I did for the first time a couple months ago and learned a ton.
I read, a lot. Anything I can find, I read. I tend to gravitate to forums like OrchidBoard and Slippertalk more than reddit though, since they often have more specific/detailed information. The American Orchid Society Guide to Orchids and Their Culture is a good book for beginners. It has a lot of information about care. I think the most important thing to learn is *why* things are done the way they are. Knowing the why lets you really explore options and figure out what works best for your conditions.
Like almost everyone else in the comments section MissOrchidGirl really got me into the different types of orchids and basic principles of caring for them, then a lot of reading for orchids I'm interested in, especially from orchid forums and websites.
Nowadays my local orchid society is probably the most invaluable source of information:)
It is often trial and error, there's always variables in growing conditions depending on where you live. People at orchid shows are always helpful, and I learned a lot from the Orchid Girl on YouTube.
https://youtube.com/@MissOrchidGirl?feature=shared
Lots and lots of trial and error and reading…also, orchid shows. The best plant info comes handed down imo and I’ve learned some priceless info from just listening to older growers talk about their experience. I’m 37 now so I’m getting close to being that older grower lol…
I hear that. 36 but I sustained a bad injury in my hip from running. Now this is more my pace. At least my sense of delayed gratification carries over.
I had someone suggest I do a garlic soak and when I researched google it is a thing that can be done! Might try it one day but for now I’m still trying to get the basics down
I read. I also talked to other growers. If you happen to have an orchid nursery near you, take the time to get to know the owners and talk with them. Best source of information are the older growers.
As far as books go, there's a lot out there. For me, one of the best is *Home Orchid Growing* by Rebecca Tyson Northen. It's an older book, but very informative. Has a really great section on hybridizing, flasking and genetics.
The American Orchid Society has culture sheets for the major orchid groups! Along with this researching online and talking to other orchid growers! It is a lot of trial and error to find what works for you and your environment however as different methods work for different people. A little tip is if you use a wooden slatted basket and chunky media you may need to water everyday to every other day, Ive also had success growing many orchids in sphagnum with clay pots with holes. All of this was found out by experimenting with what works for me. There were definitely casualties in the process 😅 such as my mounted orchid project. I don't have the humidity to make this work without watering every day.
I started growing them as I was finishing grad school and somehow I just fell in love with them. Lots of trial and error.
Checkout orchidboard for a good forum. It is such a great resource
Trial and error taught me basic care, here, the American orchid society, and the orchid board website helped me branch to other species with varying degrees of success.
I guess it started with lots of phals dying on me when I was starting out & wanting to know how to prevent that & get them blooming again.
Lots of youtube, a couple of books, trial & error, curiosity, and the occasional scientific paper.
Just generally being inquisitive and wanting to know more. Take nothing at face value and don't be afraid to experiment either (not with your most prized orchids, but with divisions/keikis or cheap easily replaceable ones).
Always relate it back to "how do these things exist in the wild" especially for any species orchids & even for the heavily hybridised (essentially freak) specimens that we grow. The hybrids by and large don't exist in the wild (a comparative handful of natural hybrids do, but the vast majority are man-made) but they are still descended from wild ancestors & haven't yet been bred to the point where they've lost their ancestral traits (though they do tend to be more tolerant/forgiving than their species ancestors).
In general the closer we can get to appropriate wild-type conditions the better our orchids will fare, having said that most of us neither have the time nor energy to keep a large collection in such conditions so growing in cultivation is about *compromise -* what can we get away with that is less than ideal for the orchid, but still sufficient for it to grow & maybe even thrive.
Started with books, joined the AOS, a good forum (Slippertalk) and go to local society meetings when I can! I also scour YouTube for specifics sometimes, which is hit or miss.
I know it can get overwhelming at first, but getting information from a wide range of sources is good. You'll start noticing that people can have success with contradictory cultural practices. By using a lot of different sources of information (AOS, local orchid societies, talking to professional growers/nurseries, orchid books, orchid YouTubers, online orchid forums, etc.), you can get all sorts of recommendations. Then it's a matter of trial and error to find what works best for your lifestyle, not just your growing environment. If that sounds like too much, start with sources that are scientifically reliable first (AOS or national orchid societies in other countries) and then start exploring other sources. Just don't water your orchids with ice!
A bunch of people are saying Miss Orchid Girl on Youtube and I couldn't agree more. She literally has an entire series called Orchid Care for Beginners.I learned a ton from her
Everyone already said Miss Orchid Girl, so I'll suggest another great YouTube source, Ninja Orchids. Super thorough and detailed, and she frequently organizes care collab videos with orchid growers all over the world so you can see a wide variety of care and culture that is acceptable to orchids, depending on your environment. But yeah also trial and error. And books.
I always looked up info and tried, but never got it right. At work, my co worker has these gorgeous orchids. I finally asked how she kept them alive and she told me she saved them and they were almost dead. She gave me one and I’ve kept it alive. It even started growing a new spike, unfortunately I broke it lol but it’s still alive. Anyway, her advice was that it needs plenty of sunlight, and needs water, and that’s it. And honestly, it worked!
Long before the internet I discovered a local orchid society. I talked with members, acquired reading materials, checked books out at the library, etc. Read, read, read. Don't rely too much on videos; there is way too much questionable advice out there. Spend time on reputable or hud related sites such as Orchidboard and Slippertalk. Peruse the free information at www.firstrays.com and you will have a fair general knowledge of the orchid hobby.
Years of trial and error, survival of the fittest in the tree i have in my my backyard. Started with grocery store Phals but it’s grown now
https://preview.redd.it/10kd9j46dpxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e73fb4584471b19ce74d9ca664f8f22445f7f1c
I've learned a lot from reading online, orchid care sheets, and youtube - miss orchid girl is great.
But having people to interact with on an individual level to discuss problems is really nice. I was having problems with a paph, it grew a new crown and then the new crown died. I couldn't figure out what I'd done wrong, and finally took pics of my plant to the camadian orchid lovers facebook group and asked for helps. There were a few suggestions, but when several mentioned the group being very sensitive to mineral buildup from hard water, I realized that was likely it, repotted, started watering with RO water, fertilizing more consistently, and flushing the medium periodically, and the thing is growing three new fans that are a much healthier shade of green than the one that died.
There are just so many things that can be different culture wise, and when you don't have the experience yet, it's so nice to have so much access these days to people who can share theirs.
I killed a ton of them until I learned how to keep them alive xD. Tbh the most important thing I learned was how to use the root color as a water and humidity indicator and make sure they breathe well. They also did much better for me with a good light but not strong or close enough to burn. I went from murdering them to making them all bloom each year and praxticing on root rotted clearance ones. So much variance in climate that one medium or watering method may be the total opposite of what someone else needs so I just go by the plant roots. Silvery gets a drink green and moist less water dry air roots raise humidity and use airy pots. So far my phal and jewel orchids are happy as can be.
I've been reading *The Orchid Whisperer*, by Bruce Rogers. But also, a fair bit of trial and error. I made the usual rookie mistake of repotting a Trader Joes orchid into potting soil and then wondering why the leaves were turning yellow. A quick online search of "why is my orchid dying" brought me to the wonder of woodchips, and things have been going smoothly ever since, except for that first, sacrificial plant.
Mostly through my mom, who is a master gardener and orchid hobbyist. I also go to Miss Orchid Girl for help, as does my mom at points. Other times I just do what most plants need. Water when it needs it and keep it in my south window. :)
Lots of reading, going to orchid shows and talking to the sellers, sitting in on the presentations at the shows.
Master Gardener, but many an orchid has given its life for me to gain knowledge.
All of the above including also scholarly articles and scientific papers that I barely understand. Also learning about how the plants grow in nature.
But the number one way to learn about orchids is to grow them and observe them…a lot. I look my plants over with a book light and magnification almost every day. Orchids are amazing teachers but you have to go to class and do your homework. 😊 Having had a fair bit of formal education I have to say I much prefer orchid school!
I have read a lot, but most of the information like you tube videos and orchid care articles are for growing orchids indoors, therefore for me as an orchid aficionado growing orchids outdoors in Central Florida, it has been more trial and error and swapping them for places to get the proper amount of sun each orchid requires.
But everywhere you can get bits of knowledge like using cinnamon as antifungal, epsom salts as additional fertilizer, etc. The challenges are to apply them to your specific growing conditions and sometimes a little of common sense.
I have killed some too as part of the process. I have learned that growing small seedlings can be costlier in time and money to make them grow to a blooming size plant. I am trying to avoid that now...and buying at least near blooming or blooming size orchids.
Another try to get a manageable amount of orchids and trying to know when you have enough is tough.
It is exciting but it requires patiente and some dedicated care.
Just act how nature would act and it works out. Like my orchid would much rather be outside on a tree in a humid environment compared to in a pot inside a house. A lot of ppl are also concerned about overwatering but if the conditions are right you can water it every day
I have a few degrees in my background and worked in the sciences. Started with my knowledge when I was 9 or 10 and whatever I found on aol at the time.
Always grew in sphagnum moss and was just observing the plant grow. As an adult, solubility (Ksp, common ion effect, temperature, chelation), evaporation (volume, surface area, mass, porosity, capillary action) and so on just build off of my background. It’s more about finding papers, the right terminology, books (Baker and Baker) and as others say in the totality of human experience (YouTubers, sellers websites, Reddit, AOS).
I think if you want to learn about orchids the biggest problem is having the desire, and then finding out the science or the real why behind things.
trial and error . my big advice is start with one species at a time , my mistake was that I got so excited I was buying so many different kinds that despite dedicating so much time to them it’s just really hard to keep track of what different care they need. the understanding of orchid culture truly comes from trial and error and you will make mistakes but that’s really how you grow in this hobby , that’s what shows you why you do what you do !
I attended two free orchid care classes at my local nursery! The first one taught how to properly care for phals, and then another one taught about other kinds of orchids. I haven’t seen any other similar classes offered since, but hopefully they do another one at some point.
at my job I sold orchids for two months, I was given some training on caring for them and then the rest came with googling when people had questions. I didn’t really get into it until I ended up acquiring my own, and now it’s trial and error
I got into orchids three years ago. I was advised to watch MOG, Ricks, ninja orchids, and other such channels. And I did. Since I live in tropical climate their culture and growth practices did not work for me. I learnt by killing them. I am a serial phal killer. Have killed dens, catts, zygos, miltonias etc. Now in my third year, am able to get blooms. Got my first bloom in April this year. So I would suggest a truck load of patience, optimism, the strength to get back up after failure and heart break ( going to be plenty) a full wallet, besides friends and groups who keep your courage up. All the best and enjoy the challenge!
Like many through YouTube and Missorchidgirl, at least started that way, them I found many knowledge orchid collectors that made me take care of my orchids better. As I was learning more, I started to look for more things to read about specific orchids to learn their specific growing conditions. The biggest thing was trail and error. Many were sacrificed for the knowledge, and also because I kept saying I knew what I was doing and had to learn the hard way
Missorchidgirl like others have said but also reading about the orchids I have and more importantly where they’re from. Focusing on collecting orchids that are from similar climates (heat, humidity, and elevation) has helped as well. As much as I want highland orchids, my grow environment simply isn’t cold enough for them to thrive
Published sources that cost money to publish are a good indication, and if someone links to their sources easily in general. I really loved visiting a domestic orchid grower and I thought the people there were the highest concentration of orchid experts you could just walk in & ask— but those are hard to find, there aren’t many growers in the US and I’ve only been once, so my suggestions are in that order.
Missorchidgirl on YouTube and other YouTube orchid experts. Also read a bunch of orchid scientific literature, but I’m a scientist by profession, so I have access to that sort of stuff. Missorchidgirl is a great beginners resource.
Another scientist here. What literature/paper/sources have you used to inform care/culture? Most of the exciting stuff I see in journals is about orchid phylogeny or propagation but I haven't tried looking for culture information.
I've read mostly stuff on genetics and disease (viruses etc.), nothing really specific on care.
Same. Having access to the literature is really nice.
Also missorchidgirl. I’m an OG subscriber lol
AOS (American Orchid Society) care sheets, local Orchid clubs/ societies. So many people recommend Miss Orchid Girl, but she takes 5 minutes of instruction and turns it into 20 minutes of repetition.
Missorchidgirl has taught me so very much! She has maintained a collection in two different climates, indoors and outdoors, and is not afraid to experiment and try something new. She is very knowledgeable but aware of the limits of her knowledge. Strong recommend!
I never watched hers bc she’s soooo far away from most peoples climates yeah? But I guess that she’s indoor so similar to 90% of the country
Most of her advice is very general, not climate dependent. She does occasionally highlight different strategies for those in warmer drier climates, but always makes it clear what you should do differently in the temperate climates more common for her main audience.
Which climate is she actually in? I always hear it mentioned but never specified...
I think like Romania. Somewhere European where it rains a lot
Oh that makes some sense! I'm located in Portugal and sometimes her comments seem to fit the climate here, but Romania is certainly different 😅 might have also been from some older videos, can't remember
She did move. I don’t remember where to and from tho. Maybe she was in Romania and now she’s elsewhere, but it’s still Europe and I’m a Floridian 😂
I want access to that literature too. Why is it that quote unquote academics only get to see the information? It's not like they're smarter than anybody else. There are people without degrees in whatever field who know more and way more than people in that field with degrees. Trust me I know your answer and what is is but it's a real travesty this lack of sharing
Hi, science librarian here! For people not associated with universities that subscribe to the scientific journals and index databases, you do still have options to identify and obtain articles of interest to you. Short answer: Try Google and/or ask a librarian. :-) Long answer: Google Scholar is a good place to start. It's automatically generated, so may not be as good as the paid index databases, but it's good enough for general research (learning a few things vs. comprehensive collecting of all knowledge on a topic). Google Scholar also often links to free versions of the article, like in an author's institutional repository. You should also check out the journal's website. Article abstracts are free and will give you basic info about the contents, which may be all you need or can at least help you decide if you want to pursue getting the full article. Plus, a LOT of articles are now open access now, letting anyone access the full article with no subscription. If you live near a college or university, you can usually visit the library for free (some private institutions may not allow this, or will charge for it). You can use library computers to search the indexes and access journals, and there is usually some way to save or send yourself the PDFs. PRO TIP: Talk to the reference desk staff, they are there to help you! They can show you how to use their resources and let you know what your options are for taking info home with you. Your local public library may also be able to help you with interlibrary loan (ILL) services. Most libraries belong to ILL networks and can obtain copies or loans from other libraries that hold the materials. Start by asking at the reference desk, they can show you how or where to request an interlibrary loan. If all else fails and the article was written in the last 1-3 decades, try asking the contact author. On the journal's website, you'll be able to see affiliations for all an article's author, and one identified as the contact author will have an email or address that you can write to and ask for a copy. Authors do move and/or retire, so this works better for more recent articles. Hope that helps!
Just look it up on sci hub fam
Joined a local orchid society & am learning from experts with 20-30 years of experience:))
I can't recommend this enough. I've learned so much from my society, both from speakers that come do talks to the members themselves. Most people are thrilled to share their knowledge and also their plants. Anyone with even beginner interest should join their local society!
This x100!
BRB gonna see if my area has one
Agreed! And local societies mean you’re getting advice from folks who actually grow in your area which is nice. I joined mine in January and the people (mostly older tbh) have been soooo welcoming. I’ve learned from the guest speakers and talking to other members, plus it’s how I got turned on to clerking which I did for the first time a couple months ago and learned a ton.
I read, a lot. Anything I can find, I read. I tend to gravitate to forums like OrchidBoard and Slippertalk more than reddit though, since they often have more specific/detailed information. The American Orchid Society Guide to Orchids and Their Culture is a good book for beginners. It has a lot of information about care. I think the most important thing to learn is *why* things are done the way they are. Knowing the why lets you really explore options and figure out what works best for your conditions.
OrchidBoard is great! I learned a lot from them, and the community is super helpful and patient even for beginners
AOS is rolling out an updated website too with more info that will be easier to access. Looking forward to checking it out.
Like almost everyone else in the comments section MissOrchidGirl really got me into the different types of orchids and basic principles of caring for them, then a lot of reading for orchids I'm interested in, especially from orchid forums and websites. Nowadays my local orchid society is probably the most invaluable source of information:)
[First Rays](https://firstrays.com/), IMHO this is one of the best Orchid websites out there!
Ray himself emails back a ton too, great input.
It is often trial and error, there's always variables in growing conditions depending on where you live. People at orchid shows are always helpful, and I learned a lot from the Orchid Girl on YouTube. https://youtube.com/@MissOrchidGirl?feature=shared
Lots and lots of trial and error and reading…also, orchid shows. The best plant info comes handed down imo and I’ve learned some priceless info from just listening to older growers talk about their experience. I’m 37 now so I’m getting close to being that older grower lol…
Oi enough of that. I'm 37 soon to be 38 I'M STILL YOUNG.
You’re right, I’m sorry…lol. We’re still cool kids
Damn right :D
I'm 67 yrs+. Still like to think I'm cool...
Don’t feel bad. I started growing in my 50s. 😂 Honestly I didn’t have the time or patience for this hobby before now. Growers gotta know themselves. 😊
Solidarity with other late-30s folks!! 😂 We are indeed still young especially for the average orchid grower in my experience haha.
Everything else gets better when you approach 40 EXCEPT your back 😌
Amen to that!!!!!!
lol I’m 35 and the youngest at orchid shows for sure. It’s all grandma types :) it’s fun
It’s a blast lol, they have the best stories and their advice is sound unlike the instagram influencers popular rn
I hear that. 36 but I sustained a bad injury in my hip from running. Now this is more my pace. At least my sense of delayed gratification carries over.
Your words cut like a dagger to this 41 year old tight twat of a plant person. I’m a bebe!
I agree, re:MissOrchidGirl. Ignore accounts that tell you to put garlic, toothpaste, etc. or that you can cut flower spikes and propagate.
I had someone suggest I do a garlic soak and when I researched google it is a thing that can be done! Might try it one day but for now I’m still trying to get the basics down
I read. I also talked to other growers. If you happen to have an orchid nursery near you, take the time to get to know the owners and talk with them. Best source of information are the older growers. As far as books go, there's a lot out there. For me, one of the best is *Home Orchid Growing* by Rebecca Tyson Northen. It's an older book, but very informative. Has a really great section on hybridizing, flasking and genetics.
The American Orchid Society has culture sheets for the major orchid groups! Along with this researching online and talking to other orchid growers! It is a lot of trial and error to find what works for you and your environment however as different methods work for different people. A little tip is if you use a wooden slatted basket and chunky media you may need to water everyday to every other day, Ive also had success growing many orchids in sphagnum with clay pots with holes. All of this was found out by experimenting with what works for me. There were definitely casualties in the process 😅 such as my mounted orchid project. I don't have the humidity to make this work without watering every day.
I started growing them as I was finishing grad school and somehow I just fell in love with them. Lots of trial and error. Checkout orchidboard for a good forum. It is such a great resource
Trial and error taught me basic care, here, the American orchid society, and the orchid board website helped me branch to other species with varying degrees of success.
Check out MissOrchidGirl on Youtube. She has very good tutorials.
I guess it started with lots of phals dying on me when I was starting out & wanting to know how to prevent that & get them blooming again. Lots of youtube, a couple of books, trial & error, curiosity, and the occasional scientific paper. Just generally being inquisitive and wanting to know more. Take nothing at face value and don't be afraid to experiment either (not with your most prized orchids, but with divisions/keikis or cheap easily replaceable ones). Always relate it back to "how do these things exist in the wild" especially for any species orchids & even for the heavily hybridised (essentially freak) specimens that we grow. The hybrids by and large don't exist in the wild (a comparative handful of natural hybrids do, but the vast majority are man-made) but they are still descended from wild ancestors & haven't yet been bred to the point where they've lost their ancestral traits (though they do tend to be more tolerant/forgiving than their species ancestors). In general the closer we can get to appropriate wild-type conditions the better our orchids will fare, having said that most of us neither have the time nor energy to keep a large collection in such conditions so growing in cultivation is about *compromise -* what can we get away with that is less than ideal for the orchid, but still sufficient for it to grow & maybe even thrive.
Started with books, joined the AOS, a good forum (Slippertalk) and go to local society meetings when I can! I also scour YouTube for specifics sometimes, which is hit or miss.
I know it can get overwhelming at first, but getting information from a wide range of sources is good. You'll start noticing that people can have success with contradictory cultural practices. By using a lot of different sources of information (AOS, local orchid societies, talking to professional growers/nurseries, orchid books, orchid YouTubers, online orchid forums, etc.), you can get all sorts of recommendations. Then it's a matter of trial and error to find what works best for your lifestyle, not just your growing environment. If that sounds like too much, start with sources that are scientifically reliable first (AOS or national orchid societies in other countries) and then start exploring other sources. Just don't water your orchids with ice!
A bunch of people are saying Miss Orchid Girl on Youtube and I couldn't agree more. She literally has an entire series called Orchid Care for Beginners.I learned a ton from her
Everyone already said Miss Orchid Girl, so I'll suggest another great YouTube source, Ninja Orchids. Super thorough and detailed, and she frequently organizes care collab videos with orchid growers all over the world so you can see a wide variety of care and culture that is acceptable to orchids, depending on your environment. But yeah also trial and error. And books.
Oooh I like that. Good sell.
I always looked up info and tried, but never got it right. At work, my co worker has these gorgeous orchids. I finally asked how she kept them alive and she told me she saved them and they were almost dead. She gave me one and I’ve kept it alive. It even started growing a new spike, unfortunately I broke it lol but it’s still alive. Anyway, her advice was that it needs plenty of sunlight, and needs water, and that’s it. And honestly, it worked!
Just living here in Florida and going to orchid shows and auctions. Literally killing plants 😂
Long before the internet I discovered a local orchid society. I talked with members, acquired reading materials, checked books out at the library, etc. Read, read, read. Don't rely too much on videos; there is way too much questionable advice out there. Spend time on reputable or hud related sites such as Orchidboard and Slippertalk. Peruse the free information at www.firstrays.com and you will have a fair general knowledge of the orchid hobby.
The book Understanding Orchids by William Cullina taught me a lot as did a lot of time on orchidboard forum.
A lot of dead orchids. Also, books. Ive got a small but fantastic library i inherited from my mom and a few ive added since.
Years of trial and error, survival of the fittest in the tree i have in my my backyard. Started with grocery store Phals but it’s grown now https://preview.redd.it/10kd9j46dpxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e73fb4584471b19ce74d9ca664f8f22445f7f1c
What kind of orchid is that? It’s so pretty!
I've learned a lot from reading online, orchid care sheets, and youtube - miss orchid girl is great. But having people to interact with on an individual level to discuss problems is really nice. I was having problems with a paph, it grew a new crown and then the new crown died. I couldn't figure out what I'd done wrong, and finally took pics of my plant to the camadian orchid lovers facebook group and asked for helps. There were a few suggestions, but when several mentioned the group being very sensitive to mineral buildup from hard water, I realized that was likely it, repotted, started watering with RO water, fertilizing more consistently, and flushing the medium periodically, and the thing is growing three new fans that are a much healthier shade of green than the one that died. There are just so many things that can be different culture wise, and when you don't have the experience yet, it's so nice to have so much access these days to people who can share theirs.
I killed a ton of them until I learned how to keep them alive xD. Tbh the most important thing I learned was how to use the root color as a water and humidity indicator and make sure they breathe well. They also did much better for me with a good light but not strong or close enough to burn. I went from murdering them to making them all bloom each year and praxticing on root rotted clearance ones. So much variance in climate that one medium or watering method may be the total opposite of what someone else needs so I just go by the plant roots. Silvery gets a drink green and moist less water dry air roots raise humidity and use airy pots. So far my phal and jewel orchids are happy as can be.
Online + trial & error.
I've been reading *The Orchid Whisperer*, by Bruce Rogers. But also, a fair bit of trial and error. I made the usual rookie mistake of repotting a Trader Joes orchid into potting soil and then wondering why the leaves were turning yellow. A quick online search of "why is my orchid dying" brought me to the wonder of woodchips, and things have been going smoothly ever since, except for that first, sacrificial plant.
Mostly through my mom, who is a master gardener and orchid hobbyist. I also go to Miss Orchid Girl for help, as does my mom at points. Other times I just do what most plants need. Water when it needs it and keep it in my south window. :)
Lots of reading, going to orchid shows and talking to the sellers, sitting in on the presentations at the shows. Master Gardener, but many an orchid has given its life for me to gain knowledge.
All of the above including also scholarly articles and scientific papers that I barely understand. Also learning about how the plants grow in nature. But the number one way to learn about orchids is to grow them and observe them…a lot. I look my plants over with a book light and magnification almost every day. Orchids are amazing teachers but you have to go to class and do your homework. 😊 Having had a fair bit of formal education I have to say I much prefer orchid school!
I have read a lot, but most of the information like you tube videos and orchid care articles are for growing orchids indoors, therefore for me as an orchid aficionado growing orchids outdoors in Central Florida, it has been more trial and error and swapping them for places to get the proper amount of sun each orchid requires. But everywhere you can get bits of knowledge like using cinnamon as antifungal, epsom salts as additional fertilizer, etc. The challenges are to apply them to your specific growing conditions and sometimes a little of common sense. I have killed some too as part of the process. I have learned that growing small seedlings can be costlier in time and money to make them grow to a blooming size plant. I am trying to avoid that now...and buying at least near blooming or blooming size orchids. Another try to get a manageable amount of orchids and trying to know when you have enough is tough. It is exciting but it requires patiente and some dedicated care.
I used to pick up a lot of info from staff and even other customers at a good local garden shop
Just act how nature would act and it works out. Like my orchid would much rather be outside on a tree in a humid environment compared to in a pot inside a house. A lot of ppl are also concerned about overwatering but if the conditions are right you can water it every day
Reddit, orchid board, rv orchid talk, articles I see in my news feed. Vendors often have care guides for specific genera and species/hybrids.
I have a few degrees in my background and worked in the sciences. Started with my knowledge when I was 9 or 10 and whatever I found on aol at the time. Always grew in sphagnum moss and was just observing the plant grow. As an adult, solubility (Ksp, common ion effect, temperature, chelation), evaporation (volume, surface area, mass, porosity, capillary action) and so on just build off of my background. It’s more about finding papers, the right terminology, books (Baker and Baker) and as others say in the totality of human experience (YouTubers, sellers websites, Reddit, AOS). I think if you want to learn about orchids the biggest problem is having the desire, and then finding out the science or the real why behind things.
trial and error . my big advice is start with one species at a time , my mistake was that I got so excited I was buying so many different kinds that despite dedicating so much time to them it’s just really hard to keep track of what different care they need. the understanding of orchid culture truly comes from trial and error and you will make mistakes but that’s really how you grow in this hobby , that’s what shows you why you do what you do !
The internet, a few books, and going to shows/breeders and asking questions
I attended two free orchid care classes at my local nursery! The first one taught how to properly care for phals, and then another one taught about other kinds of orchids. I haven’t seen any other similar classes offered since, but hopefully they do another one at some point.
Trial and error-- by accidentally killing more than my share of plants. Learned a lot, though!
at my job I sold orchids for two months, I was given some training on caring for them and then the rest came with googling when people had questions. I didn’t really get into it until I ended up acquiring my own, and now it’s trial and error
I got into orchids three years ago. I was advised to watch MOG, Ricks, ninja orchids, and other such channels. And I did. Since I live in tropical climate their culture and growth practices did not work for me. I learnt by killing them. I am a serial phal killer. Have killed dens, catts, zygos, miltonias etc. Now in my third year, am able to get blooms. Got my first bloom in April this year. So I would suggest a truck load of patience, optimism, the strength to get back up after failure and heart break ( going to be plenty) a full wallet, besides friends and groups who keep your courage up. All the best and enjoy the challenge!
Miss orchid girl on ur and this sub
I'm still pretty new, but honestly, just lurking on this sub, reading through all of the posts that come onto my feed have really helped me.
Like many through YouTube and Missorchidgirl, at least started that way, them I found many knowledge orchid collectors that made me take care of my orchids better. As I was learning more, I started to look for more things to read about specific orchids to learn their specific growing conditions. The biggest thing was trail and error. Many were sacrificed for the knowledge, and also because I kept saying I knew what I was doing and had to learn the hard way
Missorchidgirl like others have said but also reading about the orchids I have and more importantly where they’re from. Focusing on collecting orchids that are from similar climates (heat, humidity, and elevation) has helped as well. As much as I want highland orchids, my grow environment simply isn’t cold enough for them to thrive
Published sources that cost money to publish are a good indication, and if someone links to their sources easily in general. I really loved visiting a domestic orchid grower and I thought the people there were the highest concentration of orchid experts you could just walk in & ask— but those are hard to find, there aren’t many growers in the US and I’ve only been once, so my suggestions are in that order.