Return from the past

Carl Chapman · #1 11-08-2010, 03:24 PM

Hi all -
My wife and I first got into Orchids back in 1966. I had a job at the University of Florida. One of my co-workers was John Beckner, an AOS judge. He got us interested in Orchids and we accumulated a small collection before the job ended the next year. We since moved to WV. As soon as we could afford it, we purchased a small (14x14') greenhouse from Turner greenhouses. It was covered with polyethylene plastic (all we could afford) and proved to be a pain. The plastic always needed replacing at the worst possible times. We eventually replaced the plastic with fiberglass and that was much better. Then we had a series of very bad winters. The humidity in the greenhouse condensed and froze - sometimes over an inch thick - on the inside. When it melted, it dripped on the Orchids - they didn't like that a bit. In the late 1970's we finally sold our collection and the greenhouse. We did keep one plant - Potinara Dorothy Adair - it has been in the same pot for over 43 years !! It summers outdoors and spends the winters in a sunny window inside. It used to bloom regularly around Thanksgiving time. I guess it has been getting better treatment lately and has bloomed 2-3 times a year.

We had been growing Daylilies for 9 years, but health issues make carring for them difficult. A couple years ago, we started a new Orchid collection which now numbers around 30 plants. We have managed to get them to rebloom which is encouraging.

I am a retired College Professor (Biology). My wife has been a home-maker (do they ever get to retire??)

Looking forward to chatting...

Carl

Marci in SoFL · #2 11-08-2010, 03:36 PM

Hello Carl and welcome to the forum! I would love to see a photo of the Potinara that has been residing in the same pot for 43 years! What else are you growing in your new collection?

BTW - we wives NEVER get to retire....nor do we want to.

Carl Chapman · #3 11-08-2010, 05:36 PM

Hi Marci -
Thanks for the welcome ! I will try to see if I can get an image of the Potinara and figure out how to send it. It has B. digbyana in its parentage and definitely shows that lip. The basic color is pink with some greenish yellow in the lip. Very fragrant at times.

Carl

Kathy-WPalmBeach · #4 11-08-2010, 08:25 PM

sounds lovely! And welcome!

Marci in SoFL · #5 11-09-2010, 07:36 AM

Your Potinara sounds gorgeous. Pink and green combos are my favorite and digbyana 'lips' are hot! LOL Posting pics here is easy. I post straight from my computer. Just find the PICTURES topic, click on NEW THREAD, then fill in the message box , click on the paperclip and go from there. Good luck!

trdyl · #6 11-09-2010, 04:00 PM

Welcome Carl! Looking forward to photos.

davet · #7 11-13-2010, 08:58 PM

"Welcome back", Carl. Nice that you were able to keep one plant. But great that your back growing orchids. For me, it's been an obsession since I was 7 years old (I'm 50 years old now). What's nuts is that it is an obsession. Enjoy your orchids and welcome to the AOS Forum. Are you a member of the AOS? If not, if you ever have questions, I'm always available to answer them.

dave