How many to kill before YOU say UNCLE?

[RosieC]

I've killed quite a few. It's a real downer when you loose one, but don't worry too much, it just means you are learning, either learning what you can/can't grow in your conditions or learning how to deal with this one better next tim.

Don't give up, we all kill them, the more you own and the longer you own them for, the more you kill.

For those who have not yet killed any it's just a matter of time. At the bigging of this year I was like that... but now I've had 6 snuff it, all of which had been struggling a lot last year and I was only just keeping them alive.

I hate it when I have to give up on one finally... but it happens

[RosieC]

Oh and remember... for every one you kill you have to buy TWO replacements to console yourself

[jrodpad]

Sorry RJ but it looks like you have the right attitude now.

There's a sort of irrationally emotional aspect to loosing an orchid that you just can't explain to someone who isn't infected with the orchid bug. It's why we go to such extremes to put failing orchids on "life support" to try and give them every conceivable chance of making a comeback... creating humid microclimates, rooting hormones, stoprot, cinnamon tea, etc. all to avoid having to part with a favorite part of the collection.

I think for me, part of it is the time and the resources devoted to keeping the orchid alive, part of it is the borderline desperation of wanting the orchid to thrive, bloom and multiply, and part of it is feeling like if I hadn't bought the orchid and killed it, it would be alive somewhere in someone else's collection. I guess that's why I don't buy rare orchids yet... I think the catholic guilt might just be too much to bear.

The guilt and sadness usually lasts until some other orchid in the collection throws out a spike and flowers. Tangible, physical evidence that all my orchid-related endeavors do not end in failure and death, and that at some level with at least some of my orchids, I'm doing something right. I take pictures and try to remind myself that on balance, I'm doing a lot more good with the collection than harm.

I am a big believer in Rosie's 2-for-1 road to recovery.

- J

[quiltingwacko]

An orchid friend of mine says that eventually you find the plants that suit your growing "style." I think he is right. Of course, occasionally, I have to try something new. Getting better about that though. I actually try to avoid temptation. Don't lose heart. You will find the ones that do well for you. Carol

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

Wow! Looks like I have to put on some more weight!
Cake anyone?

I like your style, babe

[Lagoon]

There waaaaaaaay to many orchids in this world to give up now, you just need to find the right ones - the orchids that thrive in you're conditions. Focus on you're success so far, and think about you're failures.

Theres much to learn about failures, it teaches us what not to do then we move on from there.

I know it makes you sad and even blows you're confidence at times, but I know deep down you won't give up - because you have a passion for beautiful things.

Just keep trucking babes, good times are ahead

[Fredmax]

This was a good read, the psychology of Orchid losses can be challenging and is important to keep perspective.

I just purchased a Bollea something that isn't common here in Australia, so unsurprising that I found myself in this thread.

I can well relate to the the OP, the losses make you more determined to rectify your conditions (or not buy difficult orchids - that's my next stage ).

[DirtyCoconuts]

i enjoyed this read...good resurrection

[PlumCrazy]

I've been feeling this way a lot recently and it helps to see that I'm not the only one that is sad and guilty when one of my orchids die. Who knows how old my plants are, but I figure most of them must at least several years old when I get them, then they die under my care. Poor plants!! I just got 11 new orchids which should do well in my conditions, but I do fear they will all just die... Oh, I sound so dramatic!! At least I am doing my best to learn.

Looks like OP hasn't been on here in awhile, but with nearly 3k posts, they must have ended up becoming a successful orchid keeper

[SouthPark]

hahaha ..... 10 years late on this one, but I will admit that I was responsible for four orchids not making it from my care. So I've got a total count of four losses ---- C. skinneri, C. bowringiana, Blc. Mem. Crispin Rosales, L. anceps.

That was back when I was a beginner - a pretty long time ago. No losses there-after. Although, the orchids in my collection are pretty hardy - catts, phrags, paphs, dendrobium, and some others. They're growing in tropical conditions, so the climate does give them a nice advantage. I have also been fortunate with not being hit with disease like virus, or hit with insects/snail attacks.

As Yul Brynner would say - whatever you do, just don't smoke, whatever you do. With orchids ------ whatever you do, just don't drown orchid roots, whatever you do. That was my main lesson.

The other lessons are - good temperatures and lighting and ranges of temperature and lighting (including good duration of lighting per day), and some air-movement in the growing environment. Also, don't over-fertilise - as in putting too much fertiliser salts in the media. And - occasionally, add some weak mag-cal (eg. once a month).