orchid funerals :(

[cbuchman]

MattWoelfsen, originally, I tracked my orchids in a spreadsheet with basic care that I searched for on the internet. About 10 months ago, I invested in OrchidWiz and now use it almost every day to track my orchids and to ensure that I can meet their cultural requirements. I have bought some orchids that I cannot find any info on in Orchid Wiz or on the net - recent example Bromheadia brevifolia - still looking for information on that one.

[MattWoelfsen]

Orchidwiz? I'm going to look that up. Thanks for continuing to share your knowledge.

[shaelyn]

I am fortunate enough to have only lost one so far - the first one I ever bought and tried to grow. at least, from it I learned very quickly what not to do, and I have quite a collection now.
I'm concerned about a couple of plants right now, but if I lost either of them...well, I can't say I wouldn't be heartbroken, but it wouldn't be as heart-wrenching as my top four: the first one I brought home that didn't die immediately, the one my mom gave me, the one I bought with a seedpod on it (I love the fragrance of its blooms, and I'm dying to know what its children are gonna be like! this is one I plan to use keiki paste on at some point after the seed pod is removed), or my paph (slipper orchids are wicked and not easy to come by).

[Oscarman]

There have been many cool plants that I wished I had grown better so that they survived.

One orchid in particular was Blc. Memoria Susan Hawkins 'Kilworth' AM/AOS. The award description reads ".....flowers stunning, deep velvety purple with ruffling on petals and lip; lip large, somewhat open with deeper ruffling, revealing yellow throat and purple velvet veins; column white, suffused with pale purple, making a pleasing contrast with lip."

It was stunning, like it was made of velvet. Large size and wonderful fragrance.

Sometimes I will replace lost plants, if available.

[Silje]

I think one of my dendrobium jenkinsiis is dying on me. Got no idea why. I've got two and they are grown together and one is happy, and the other one definitely not. It's a bit sad. Luckily I got another one.
I've got a special soft spot for yellow callista dendrobiums. Always have. They are the ones that got me into orchids in the first place (well, at least beyond phal-world. Seems like it is impossible to avoid NOID phals nowadays - I'm not complaining...I'm very fond of some of my supermarket plants).

The main reason why I try to avoid losses are not really because I'm so attached to all my plants, it's more because I know how bloody difficult it will be to replace them or get hold of new plants.

I simply live in the wrong country.

[HighSeas]

I prefer to say that my losses have been sacrificed to the Orchid Gods. Somehow that makes me feel better....

If I told you how many I've "sacrificed", you kind folks would relinquish my membership to the Orchid Board. Seriously....I'd be surely kicked out.

I started with my first orchids in Omaha Nebraska where I grew them indoors. After MUCH reading and research (there was NO internet then) I finally figured them out without killing too many. Then I moved to Alabama which changed my game. I lost about 50 orchids in a very bad hail storm. Started all over again.....inside.

Then moved to Florida and my game changed yet again! I grow most of mine outside here and they love it. I had to change things up though here as well.

I think the specimen I miss the most was a huge pot of Paphs....lost in Alabama. I really really wish I still had that plant....but I have another that I almost lost here in Florida....A Cat. It was in a huge basket and routinely through out 12-14 blooms at a time. We had a very unusual cold snap when I was away...and I almost lost it. I put it in the "infirmary" (the back porch) and tended to it using techniques I learned here on the Orchid Board. While I lost most of it....this plant that I'd had for 20 plus years pulled through and today is still my most favorite!

I sure enjoy this board! Just sayin'!