How many orchids have you lost?

[Paul Mc]

OK, so this is a morbid question but I'm curious about ratios primarily here.

In all your years of growing, how many orchids have you had and currently have, and out of those how many have you lost? Perhaps if you know why you lost them it would be nice to know as well.

I'm only curious because as my collection expands I'd like to know what other people's experiences are in this regards. I have 44 different orchids now, and that's minus one that produced a keiki and then died so not really sure that it counts since I have a baby, lol... I lost mine to a combination of medium issues, going from way to wet to way to dry before getting it just right. But the damage had already been done.

It would sicken me to lose the whole bunch and have to start all over again!

And I apologize in advance for bringing forth bad memories to those of you who have actually lost entire collections.

[camille1585]

I don't think that I want to know the answer, lol!
I did lose 14 in one go last april, when a package got lost on the way to an orchidsitter. Otherwise in 4 years of growing I killed another dozen at least. They were plants in poor shape to begin with, or they were Miltonopsis, which are determined to die.

[johnblagg]

well Ihave been pretty lucky so far and only 2 or 3 in the last couple of years

[Call_Me_Bob]

alot! ill post later when i have time to think about how many

[abigaillevans]

Over the past four years or so I've lost a fair few... mostly because I didn't know what I was doing or because I live in Florida and the weather is insane.

I've lost:
-A Holy Ghost orchid (I was out of town during a freak winter deluge and my porch flooded -- the whole thing rotted ).
-2 dendrobiums during a late cold snap last year when I wasn't home.
-A tolumnia "Jairek Rainbow"
-A No ID phalaenopsis or two

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Hundreds for a variety of reasons.

1. Neglect in varying degrees for whatever reasons.
2. Plants that have contracted disease.
3. Plants damaged during shipment.
4. Not enough knowledge, information, or experience regarding a particular plant or group of plants. Which leads to inappropriate cultural practices, strategies, and techniques for the plant or group of plants in question.
5. Plants may be less tolerable of mistakes or have a narrow range of tolerances.

The important thing is that at least I learned the limits of my plants and my abilities as a grower. I also learned what it takes to get the job done.

[Eyebabe]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Hundreds for a variety of reasons.

1. Neglect in varying degrees for whatever reasons.
2. Plants that have contracted disease.
3. Plants damaged during shipment.
4. Not enough knowledge, information, or experience regarding a particular plant or group of plants. Which leads to inappropriate cultural practices, strategies, and techniques for the plant or group of plants in question.
5. Plants may be less tolerable of mistakes or have a narrow range of tolerances.

The important thing is that at least I learned the limits of my plants and my abilities as a grower. I also learned what it takes to get the job done.

I have lost close to 100 plants for a variety of the above reasons mentioned. I have been "playing around" with orchids for about 6+ years but for the first few years I only had a couple of plants. Now I have 169
I also made a decision to have clean virus screened plants about two years ago and lost forty some plants at that time.
Futhermore, I no longer nurse failing plants to the lengths I went in the past
At first I carried a LOT of shame at losing plants...but I'm over it
Learning what you are capable of doing and handling is part of life....and death is part of life as well

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

At first I carried a LOT of shame at losing plants...but I'm over it
Learning what you are capable of doing and handling is part of life....and death is part of life as well

This is a great thing to learn.

[silken]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

Learning what you are capable of doing and handling is part of life....and death is part of life as well

Well said and a great lesson to learn!

[Lady Tottington]

I would say I have lost about 25, and I have about 100 right now, with a few more waiting to get here via shipping

I've lost them for the various reasons listed above, overwatering, underwatering, over potting, poor condition when I rescued it, or lack of experience in trying to grow it. I've learned from them all, and I still think failure is something I will have to live with, but I am seeking out more info, so hopefully knowledge gained will keep my collection going!

I started growing orchids about 11 yrs ago, but just became more of a collector about 3 yrs ago. Heaven help me