Orchid fatigue... - Page 7 - Orchid Board

Polarizeme · #61 12-31-2013, 05:17 PM

I know this is an older thread, just thought I'd dust it off.

I have been weeding out all my Phals. I've been getting rid of everything that isn't a cool grower. I just don't have the energy to provide a proper environment for the sun lovers or warm growers.

I have a ton of duplicate plants that are going to have to go. I want to make room for new cool/cold growers and I don't need 64 Restrepia trichoglossa, or Pleur. velaticaulis!

This Spring I'm going to sell a bunch of the duplicates and get them to good homes.

peeweelovesbooks · #62 12-31-2013, 07:32 PM

I get bored periodically.

The things that have helped me:

1) I resist impulse buys. When I started growing (in 2007) I would buy anything that looked "pretty." Didn't stop to think about cultural requirements and such, and the result was a mishmash of warm/cool/hot growers that were as unhappy as I was.

Now, I've come to accept the fact that although masdevallias, pleuros, and a whole host of cool growing orchids are SUPER cool, they aren't happening for me. UNLESS I want to build an enclosure dedicated to them, which I don't. So I'm cool with the idea that I won't be growing certain types of orchids. Which leads me to #2

2) Specialize, specialize, specialize. I know vandas, while beautiful, take too much of my time. UNLESS I get to the point of installing an automatic misting system. Until such time, vandas are pretty much out. But say WHAT about Catts, schomburgkias, Laelias, LC's, Grammatophyllums? There's only a handful of types of orchids that I grow, but I've come to realize that I don't feel deprived AT ALL.

3) I learned to set some personal orchid goals for each year. Whether it be a "challenge genus" or species or prettying up my orchid growing space. In other words, not to be so focused all the time on amassing a large number of orchids, but having fun with different aspects of the hobby.

4) Sometimes I need to walk away from them a little bit. Not too long, but for a week or so. Then I'm good.

Good luck to everyone!

MattWoelfsen · #63 12-31-2013, 08:25 PM

Thanks polarizeme for bringing back this thread. Fascinating reading--especially seeing how the originator has progressed through the rest of the year with his collection. If it wasn't for Pilot/Ryan's enthusiasm with Neofinetia falcata, I would not have become aware of this orchid and have found a great group of Neofinetia fanatics/friends on this Board!

Pilot · #64 12-31-2013, 10:10 PM

Well my orchid fatigue never really left through the rest of the year. I fell even more for Japanese orchids and while I loved them many did not love me. I lost all my sedirea save ore minmaru and a standard variety. Oddly enough, the standard variety is growing like a damn weed and the minmaru has been removed from its moss and planted in hydroton without an sh reservoir. I have also since removed all my other Japanese plants from moss and placed in sh. Some are already thriving and some are not. The good thing is, I've learned to just be ok with whatever happens because I happen to give them good conditions. Sometimes a plant just doesn't survive.

I moved my grow space into a closet in my basement and I now believe that was a bad decision. Just today I ordered a Mylar grow tent that will house all of my plants plus room to grow. It's big and will be a large object in my basement but I'm extremely irritated with this current grow room. So it's time to change and it will cost me $200. I have built a fine mist system and will custom build tables complete with drains. This way I can let the misting system drench my vandas and other plants that don't mind the heavy misting and not worry at all about flooding my floor.

This is gonna be good I can feel it.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Polarizeme · #65 12-31-2013, 11:33 PM

M~, yes, specialization is a wonderful thing. I have found that I do well with the Pleurothallid alliance and have adapted the greenhouse for that. I decided early on that I wouldn't buy randomly anymore. I have several Phals, Onc. and a few others that just aren't my cup of tea. It's much better to get them into the hands of others who will give them the proper culture.

As for me, I'll stick with my Masdevallia, Restrepia, Dracula and a few other miscellaneous Pleuros. Everything else will have to grace someone else's benches!

Joseia · #66 01-01-2014, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Thanks polarizeme for bringing back this thread. Fascinating reading--especially seeing how the originator has progressed through the rest of the year with his collection. If it wasn't for Pilot/Ryan's enthusiasm with Neofinetia falcata, I would not have become aware of this orchid and have found a great group of Neofinetia fanatics/friends on this Board!

This was my first thought too! I was shocked to see the person with the beautiful Neos giving them away from fatigue. Then i noticed the date lol.

Lilac · #67 01-01-2014, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

This year, I want to get away in the summer, so I'm really having a headache.

No problem! Just pack 'em up in a huge bin,mail them to me here in P.R. I'll take care of them, enjoy them,and mail them back in the same bin when you return!

You pay the postage both ways

Easy peasy pie!

lily99 · #68 01-02-2014, 10:34 PM

I am feeling less fatigued after installing a misting system in my terrarium. Now I water them 1 to 2 times a week; so much better than spraying water on them every day. Also, my husband installed a hose on our sink in the basement, so I can just spray all my larger orchids at once instead of carrying them to the sink one by one.

Joseia · #69 01-04-2014, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lily99

I am feeling less fatigued after installing a misting system in my terrarium. Now I water them 1 to 2 times a week; so much better than spraying water on them every day. Also, my husband installed a hose on our sink in the basement, so I can just spray all my larger orchids at once instead of carrying them to the sink one by one.

I've got my orchids in an Exo Terra terrarium, and am thinking of also adding an automated misting system to decrease the amount of time I spend watering. I currently spend about 2 hours a day watering every single day and I sure would love to save me some time.