How sick can orchid growing make us?

[Des]

Originally Posted by JennS

I really am enjoying reading this post. It seems that we all get so wrapped up in our orchids that we tend to forget what is going on around us! Maybe this is a lesson to try to keep your wits about you when playing with your 'chids? It is so hard though! Every little change is so exciting...a new leaf starting, a root tip, an unknown nubbin, or a shoot beginning. Oh, not to mention a bud beginning to open! I might hurt myself just thinking about it! Hehehe....

How sweet ,how young
How many mishaps still to come .
Now that I am 60
and learned some life's lessons
I would not trade my age for youth
And another place under the sun
Enjoy your youth and inexperience
But , learn from we Oldies
We have been there and done that
Oh ! Dear! now I need a bandage for my thumb!!

[frostedeyes]

i didnt know it could cause fungus on your hands! gee... u guys are pretty cool! i mean going for an orchid hunt wish i could do dat! hehe! yeah! i have solved some of my problems i would just hide some plants that look sick to me! ) maybe a month it will just show up pretty nice! haha.. yeah.. forgive me for my paranoia... im kinda new on this. i think it will take a year for the whole lesson and proper care to get used to on orchid plants!

[Chubidubi]

The only thing that has happened to me was about a month ago. I was taking some new chids to my growing area and I slipped and fell(it had been raining for many days now).
All the poor orchids that I had been carrying flew through the air and landed everywhere. Me...well I slid all the way across the floor and ended up under a table with a lot of broken pottery all over me.
Good thing I didn't kill myself lol.

[Ross]

I've been growing orchids since about 1968 (that I can document) and can't recall anything of the scope of these posts. Had a oil heater in a greenhouse go out because I left the misters on overnight and it drowned. The plants all froze. But nothing like threat to life and limb. Maybe I just lead a sheltered life?

[magicatt]

Well, I'm pretty new to this but I have poked in various places from the stakes sticking up. Almost lost an eye to one...gotta watch those stakes lol.

[Jerry Delaney]

It is interesting to note the number of falls. Falls are the #1 cause of fatalities in the home and I imagine having wet surfaces doesn't help. Also, most growing setups involve numerous electrical devices. Water and electricity don't mix all that well. I must confess that I replaced a GFI outlet with a regular outlet with the promise to myself I would replace it with a GFI later in the day. I don't remember exactly when that was, but the plain outlet is still there!! The spouse of a friend slipped and fell in their greenhouse and in the process dislodged a number of pots and wound up with a wire stake from one of the pots penetrating her leg through and through. I don't know that an orchid growing area is inherently more dangerous than other areas other than the fact that we may be somewhat more distracted than normal.

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by Leisurely

My orchids have provided me with some very good therapy over the years and I can't imagine not having them any more.

My sentiments exactly, Leisurely!

[Kevin_PR]

I guess for me the most common thing is fire ants, I think I'm becoming partially immune I just keep stepping on their mounds and the fact that I boycott shoes and only use flip flops does not help.

Orchids give me peace and great pleasure, and when my mother passes on I will always be reminded of her because of the orchids. Its kind of a vow to her that I will not let them die. (I'm a big mommas boy My mom has pulled me out of a deep depression, during these times I neglected my orchids and saw them dwindle to almost nothing. She is the one who taught me to love nature as a child and took care of my plants when I was unwilling to do so myself. It is because of her I am still in this hobby and more dedicated than ever. This seem to be my best growing season so far, and many of my plants are reaching their former size. I have learned a lot through losing many orchids, and I will continue to get better.

[Orchid Whisperer]

At this moment, I'm wearing a T-shirt that I got when taking my sons on a whitewater rafting trip. It says:

"You could go over the falls and die.
You could slam against the rocks and die.
You could get pinned under and die.
Or you could fall off the couch and die.
GET OFF THE COUCH"

To me, the message is clear. All activities involve some risk, even being a couch potato. For many activities, the benefits far outweigh the risks. Orchid raising keeps me intellectually curious; as I learn more, I am still constantly the student. My daily activity with my plants is calming; nothing eases the stress of daily life more than spending a little time with my plants. Going to OS meetings keeps me socially active in something that is NOT work. To me, this far outweighs any risks related to bug bites or small risks from fungi, etc.

[palm521]

i did once (22 yrs ago) got very close (a few feets away) from this :



now the most dangerous experience for me was my EX-wife rant about how much money i spent on some orchids . (she is my EX WIFE!! )

my new wife however, she encourage me to get new ones (smart she is!!)

Cheers
Antonio.