my orchid tragedy last night - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 08-24-2008, 10:16 PM

Hi,
No question this time.....I just feel like venting and sharing this with you.....I hope you don't mind.

Last night we heard a loud crash out on the backporch, went out and found that the winds (indirectly from sweet Fay) had blown over the shelves that I had most of my orchids on.....falling on top of many of them. I couldn't believe my eyes

Some of them were lucky enuff the be flung out farther on the porch floor, but even most of those were "de-potted" or broken in some way. Talk about sick! I was literally in tears!

We carried all the poor lil chids into the living room and placed them on plastic (garbage bags) on the floor, as best we could. I decided to wait until this morn. to take "damage inventory" (everything looks better in the light of day, they say.....yeah right lol) Anyway, there was quite a mess still out on the porch after we brought my orchids in last night, needless to say. I'm sure my husband and I were quite a scene.....crawling around on the porch floor at 11:00 pm in our PJs picking up tons of PrimeAgra balls and picking up shattered pots! lol

Long story much shorter, I spent all afternoon until about an hour ago repotting. The roots on all of the plants that I was able to salvage had been damaged in some way. So, bottom line: I'm really praying that new roots grow.....and grow quickly. My husband has been fixing up a room (his old electronics workshop) off from our garage for my new orchid room and as soon as an electrician comes (and I hope that is soon!) and installs my new T5 lights, my orchids are coming inside. No more ole mean shelves on the backporch for them! (lol).

Well, that's basically it. Thanks for reading my "venting post" (book). I guess I'm sorta back to square one (in a way).....but trust me, I WILL rebuild and most likely will add on.....my orchid collection, that is! lol
Vicki

Buds! · #2 08-24-2008, 10:26 PM

Oh Vicki, I am so sorry about your orchids!
I hope they will make a quick recovery!

Shirley · #3 08-24-2008, 10:36 PM

What a catastrophe, Vickie! You didn't say how many orchids you have but it must have been a sorry mess. I do hope that you won't lose any because of it. I've had accidents with individual plants and, fortunately, they do come back eventually but the cosmetic damage can take quite a while to grow out.

susiep · #4 08-24-2008, 10:44 PM

Vickie, I feel so bad for you! I have had similar catastrophes myself, but never as big as yours. You know orchids are really hardy and in nature go through worse than that. As shirley said you will have to deal with the cosmetic damage for a while. At least your hubby is helping you set up a nice room! All snug and safe indoors. Lucky plants to have you caring for them!

VickiC · #5 08-24-2008, 10:51 PM

Thank you.....I do hope so, too. Keep your fingers crossed for us (me and my chids, of course)
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buds!

Oh Vicki, I am so sorry about your orchids!
I hope they will make a quick recovery!

Becca · #6 08-24-2008, 10:56 PM

Hi Vicki! I can kinda relate....I had a my cymbidiums outside....they were potted in PrimeAgra as well....the raccoons got to them one night and tore them to pieces....I know the feeling of picking up the PrimeAgra pieces....and the 'chids survived the ordeal amazingly. They are tough....I am sure yours will recover well! Sorry to hear of the heart ache!

VickiC · #7 08-24-2008, 10:58 PM

Hi Shirley,
I have close to 50 orchids and most of them were out there on the back porch. My favorite 3 dens are in here with me plus a few more. I want to be optimistic about them bouncing back, but I can't help but feel negative. I sure hope I'm wrong, but if I'm not.....like I said....."I WILL rebuild!" lol
Thanks again for your reply,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shirley

What a catastrophe, Vickie! You didn't say how many orchids you have but it must have been a sorry mess. I do hope that you won't lose any because of it. I've had accidents with individual plants and, fortunately, they do come back eventually but the cosmetic damage can take quite a while to grow out.

VickiC · #8 08-24-2008, 11:47 PM

Hi!
Geez, I sure know what you mean about Racoons, Becca. They can really make a mess of things. Every night....never fails....we apparently are on their "nightly route", because they come and eat up the catfood on the back porch then wash their hands in the cat water dish. One night, not too long ago, I had a bucket of PrimeAgra soaking out there and one (or more ??) Racoons got into a fuss with our cat(s) and knocked the bucket over. All of the PrimeAgra didn't roll out, so I was able to salvage some, but then it was the same routine of picking up lil balls. lol If it isn't that, it's flower pots or anything that gets in the Racoons way. lol

I'm really sorry to hear of your cymbidium incident....I know how upset you must have been. I can surely relate....the feeling is still "fresh". I'm glad they popped back ok!

Yes, other people besides you have told me that orchids are tough. That's a good thing because something around here can give them a run for their money. lol

Thanks for the encouragement,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becca

Hi Vicki! I can kinda relate....I had a my cymbidiums outside....they were potted in PrimeAgra as well....the raccoons got to them one night and tore them to pieces....I know the feeling of picking up the PrimeAgra pieces....and the 'chids survived the ordeal amazingly. They are tough....I am sure yours will recover well! Sorry to hear of the heart ache!

quiltergal · #9 08-25-2008, 12:54 AM

Aw Vicki! I'm so sorry! What a bummer. However, everyone is right. Chids are very tough and they will bounce back. Possibly with a scar or two but I think it gives them character.

utah · #10 08-25-2008, 01:29 AM

Have faith in the 'chids Vickie! I know it's a mess but, like everyone says, they are tough.

I spent a week in the hospital a few weeks ago and my 17-year old son was on "water the orchids 2x a day" (over 100 degrees here with 5% humidity) duty. I think that over the 5 days they may have been watered 2 or 3 times - total. They were cooked when I got home. All 150+ bounced back except one.

Oh, and he had let the koi pond nearly go dry: "I wondered why it sounded funny" - (duh, the pump was sitting above the water line!!)

Have confidence in the orchids and enjoy that new room. My post-hospital melt-down was motivation for my fiance to get off his rear end and begin building me the greenhouse he promised for my birthday (3 months ago)

Get those babies into a raccoon, wind free environment with plenty of room for more!