I wanted to grow orchids, but I didn't have any 50 cents. So I went to the Kodama nursery on Kam IV Road, and he got me started with blooming cattleyas. One thing led to another, and over the years the Sumidas' orchid collection has multiplied. There are two shade houses and several thousand plants. By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin Vanda wirat in bloom.
Books only generalize because there are so many different kinds of orchids.
Nobody can teach you, you have to teach yourself. And you have to adapt to your own needs. Sumida used to grow his orchids in gravel, but now finds that large pots filled with gravel are too heavy to lift. He has switched to a mix of fir bark, black volcanic cinders from the Big Island and perlite. The growing mix is run through the three screens, resulting in a fine and lightweight medium.