How many did you kill? - Sad but make us feel better thread!

[kindrag23]

Since I began growing orchids in February, I have killed my two original phal's due to overwatering. I also lost one hybrid mini phal to disease. I was afraid it was a hopeless case to begin with and it fought very hard but just could not make it. My Cattelya that I ordered one was in wonderful shape and continuing to do well the other had black rot and died within a month of getting it. I have since found Orchid board and have been able to keep from killing anymore....Heres hoping that I will continue to do so.

[Bayard]

I've been growing for more than 30 years and I've killed so many that I've lost count.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by Bayard

I've been growing for more than 30 years and I've killed so many that I've lost count.

Thanks Bayard, I hate to say it but it makes me feel a little bit better. Question, does it happen still nowadays, when you MUST be profi, or it was in your early years be4 you master them all??? And if I may, what was the main reason for your orchids to die? I think in most cases with us, new growers doing this only for some years (me 4), it is over water.

[Ferns Daddy]

I've killed 2 phals this year to over watering, I never checker to see if they were draining well and now I check all my orchids to make sure they drain fast

[RJSquirrel]

I dont really kill orchids. I get rid of them when they get so ugly I cant stand em anymore. Havent tossed many away yet this year but I got my eyes on a few that will make me happy to chunk em across the lawn. You enjoy it much more when hear them squeal as they hit the can

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

I dont really kill orchids. I get rid of them when they get so ugly I cant stand em anymore. Havent tossed many away yet this year but I got my eyes on a few that will make me happy to chunk em across the lawn. You enjoy it much more when hear them squeal as they hit the can

:-)
See I am the opposite, I fight the ugliness till the very end, and I always hate the minute I throw them into that can. True is, at the beginning I was mad and threw the dead ones real hard, but now I am sad and pissed at myself every time it happens. There is always this little SOB in my head telling me YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER BY NOW!:-))))))))))))))

[catherinecarney]

Tommymiami--thanks for the support re losing my orchids during the power outage. In hindisight I should have realized there would be airflow issues with the power out and moved their terrarium down to the basement where it was at least cooler...Gotta admit they were a low priority compared to finding water for the livestock (no power, no well pump). Live and learn I guess, just wish this lesson hadn't been at the expense of living things.

Catherine

[AussieVanda]

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

I dont really kill orchids. I get rid of them when they get so ugly I cant stand em anymore. Havent tossed many away yet this year but I got my eyes on a few that will make me happy to chunk em across the lawn. You enjoy it much more when hear them squeal as they hit the can

Lookout PETO don't get onto you!! (People for the Ethical Treatment of Orchids!)

i've done a few over. my worst was a beautiful miniature that fell to black rot, it was when I didn't know what black rot was. I've also lost a few when i got too brave with some of my sun-hardening experiments.

[RJSquirrel]

and this too shall pass

Thats how you learn believe it or not is killin more than your fair share. If you havent killed your weight and height in orchid material then you havent had enough plants yet.

I loved every orchid I killed bec I learned something from them. Now I dont kill so many bec I know better. I know what I can grow and how I want to grow them. You can only bounce off the walls so long before you learn. That length of time of course depends on who you happen to be.

Unless of course you are the one who happens to be a know it all and no one listens to you anyway

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Oh no,, I think actually sometimes I do listen TOO MUCH, read TOO MUCH, study about them TOO MUCH. Sometimes I do decide to just go with my guts. And sometimes it works actually the best. But I love to learn, and this board helped me tremendously so far! So thank you all very much. I do change my growing ways, listen to others, to Florida sellers, what do they use. Recently I did change most of my cattleyas to tree fern mounts and Leca pebbels, so it is much easier to watch for over watering. Also I had found amazing supplier for all orchid needs, and get special mixes for each of them. And so much more:-) So I truly hope my killing will slow down rapidly in the nearest possible future:-)