We only have so many east facing windows :D

I just started this year and my collection has only included four orchids but my kill count is 1 at the moment.

I won an Aeredovanda Kinnaree at the Orchid Society and I just didn't/wasn't able to keep the humidity around it high enough.

Also the bloody thing was too big to put anywhere easily, the two roots stretched out away from each other and had a span of about 30 cm >.<

Overconfidence
 

I actually BELIEVED I could grow anything. Ooops. I have a classification in my orchid document which I refer to as the Dead Orchid Society.

But I've come to terms with the limitations I now realize I have of growing orchids in Brooklyn, NY, in a small apartment with 6 orchidariums and only 2 windowsills suitable for growing -- well, the temperature limitations -- not the spatial ones.

If it grows hot, I can't grow it.

If it grows cold or cool, I can't grow it.

If it grows intermediate to hot, or intermediate to cool, I have a fighting chance (or the orchid does).

Currently, I have 4 orchids in spike, bud or bloom. I'm thrilled that the Asco. garayi I picked up 2 months ago in Homestead sent out a spike about 10 days ago. I have a Cat hybrid (see Identification forum) that is a very reliable bloomer, the Beallara (sp?) I picked up in NJ last month bloomed, and a Wilsonara I picked up (either Ft. Lauderdale or Jersey -- who remembers) is also blooming.

That's all I got now.

Bob

PS - This was a cool topic for the forum. B

Killed
 

Great thread... I guess I've contributed to the demise of many dozens, mostly those acquired during the crazed, obsessed period launching the addiction. I bought plants with no knowledge of their cultural requirements. It was just, "wow, that's an amazing flower, let's take him home". Some strangled or drowned in the spahg they came in, some I over-watered, some rotted, some succumbed to virus, some froze, some baked, some slowly refused life. Clearly, as others stated, I learned from it and started checking BEFORE I bought to see if my conditions were suitable, talking with the growers and my predecessors about conditions.

Interestingly, the growers I now frequent were the ones who would steer me away from certain plants because they knew I wouldn't be able to grow them. I've learned to appreciate that. Sometimes, though, when I cant resist, I tell the plant "OK, you're coming with me, you gotta make it - adapt!" in a tough love kind of way.

I've killed my share!
 

I have 2 denbrobiums ready to bloom, one of which is not labeled. I made a chart years ago with pictures of the blooms so after the second one opens, I should be able to identify it. While I was checking the chart, I noticed I have about 14 catts. listed, only 2 of which I still have so that makes 12 Catts. that have bit the dust. I'm still trying though--I've changed media types and location this year and am hoping that the 2 I have, along with 2 newer acquisitions will survive and prosper.

Will post picts. when the second dendrobium opens.

Shirley

i dunno... but they always say... people who grew the best orchids have killed alot! just kidding!

In order first large Vanda Say Blue (overwater), Paraphalaenopsis laycockii (underwater), Miltonia (overwater plus a caterpillar ate the bud), Vanda Mimi Palmer (tip rot), Renanthera/Rhynchostylis Hybrid (overwater/tip rot), Arachnis Longisepala (tip rot, but stem and 2 root tips hanging in there). Have over 100 so maybe my stats are not too bad...

You guys are making me feel a lot better! I got my two phals because I wanted orchids and they were supposed to be fool proof....Well...apparently they are not fool proof enough for me...still fighting to save them though.

Well, I still haven't killed anything, but I have a couple on life support. I bought an Angraecum distichum at a greenhouse sale, didn't know how to care for it, tried a few things, finally mounted it, probably too late, and it is just sitting there. It hasn't turned brown or mushy so I don't have the heart to "turn off the ventilator" just yet.