I'am a loser!! - Orchid Board

charlesf6 · #1 08-19-2017, 10:05 PM

5 orchids recently lost!!
I was pretty hot from last Sept. up til now.

-The Oncostele with rotted pseuodobulb recently posted about in 'Orange Kiss' threaqd.
( I monitored for 2 weeks but didn't change the medium probably soon enough, all sphag. & much too moist)

-A Cattleya warneri var.Alba that I left at work for a week while vacationing and came back to find it brown and burnt.
(Had made sure it was watered well before I left, I certainly hope that there wasn't foul play in my abscence.)

-Cheryl Shohan 'The Babe' Masdevelia the leaves all dropped off, I repotted in a zeer pot

-Masdevelia Purpurea, same as above line.

-Restrepia guttulata leaves sudden drop off also, replanted in a zeer pot.

A/C has been running moderately & at a minimum in all rooms involved trying to keep up humidity levels.

estación seca · #2 08-19-2017, 11:54 PM

You're not a loser. You're a learner, if you pay attention. You now know more about your conditions, and what doesn't like your conditions.

The last three of those really hate hot weather. I might suggest not getting any more cold to cool orchids unless you get some cooling equipment. I no longer believe it when vendors say their Masdevallias will grow in intermediate or warm conditions. I think that means they might survive if the temperature creeps into the warm range for 20 minutes once every 2-3 weeks, then quickly goes back to the cool range.

Most Oncostele don't like being hot. They do tolerate it better than Pleurothallis relatives, but they would rather not. Some Oncidium intergenerics have more warm-growing ancestry than this one. Consider mastering those first. You can look up ancestry before you buy.

Cattleya warneri (and many other Cattleyas) will die quickly if you don't water enough while new growth is developing. A week without water, in warm and not-too-humid conditions, may do it in. Sometimes the plant will survive this treatment once; if you do it to the next set of growth, that's it. I suspect that's what happened.

We have a tendency to abandon our orchids for a week or so at the hottest time of the year. Had you been home, you might have rescued all of them. I would not suggest skipping vacation. I would suggest figuring out a mechanical way to take care of them while you are gone. Move them into the coolest room of the house with lights and a misting system on a clock?

charlesf6 · #3 08-20-2017, 01:02 AM

How many is too many to lose?
Must be 9-10 for me in a years time

I'm learning a wee bit but meanwhile destroying lots of nice plants!

estación seca · #4 08-20-2017, 02:32 AM

Return to easy-to-grow plants. Not too many. Look at each plant each day. Try and see what is happening with them. Give them what they need. When those are doing well, look for others that will do well in your surroundings.

Learn which kinds of cultivation errors you are more prone to make. Then avoid plants that suffer with those kinds of mistakes. Do you water too much? Too little? Is your growing space too hot? Too cold? (It's not too cold, we know that!)

I might guess, for you, Cattleyas for bright spots. Phalaenopsis for shade. If you can remember to water frequently, Cymbidiums.

jcec1 · #5 08-20-2017, 05:33 AM

I think you got good advice from ES the only other point I could make is maybe buy healthy grocery store orchids, as they tend to be less fussy about conditions and cheaper than specialist orchids.

Dollythehun · #6 08-20-2017, 09:15 AM

Charles, you are not a loser. I echo everything the others said and add this. I've watched your shotgun approach to buying plants and I suggest this:

Today you are starting orchid growing anew. What easy plants could fit your conditions? Start over with those and keep learning and expanding gradually. Buy only from reputable mail order or local growers. Remember, we have ALL killed plants.

I have run the AC every day since spring. Number one, I have a new retractable screen door and didn't want to put up baby gates and most importantly, I wanted to control my conditions.
I know that soon we may be traveling a bit, so I'm learning from others how to cope. Watch and learn. There are lots of things I am not successful at, it makes me different, not a loser.

Orchid Whisperer · #7 08-20-2017, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlesf6

How many is too many to lose?
Must be 9-10 for me in a years time

I'm learning a wee bit but meanwhile destroying lots of nice plants!

Whatever plants you still have are survivors then! Learn from growing those well, as others have stated. You can put acquiring other plants on hold for a while as you confirm what works, what doesn't.

We all lose plants when we begin this hobby. I sure did. I still lose some plants.

Bud · #8 08-20-2017, 05:04 PM

You are not a loser at all. You just didn't have a clue. As a fellow New Yorker, I only grew orchids that will survive in my environment. I also have my east facing bathroom window opened slightly to let the humidity from outside help out my Vandas and the south facing fire escape cradle the rest of my plants. In winter they all come indoors with the help of a humidifiers, added lights and an electric heater.

Dollythehun · #9 08-20-2017, 05:34 PM

Charles, I just had the exact same thing happen to me. Just now. Bizarre, huh?

Pattywack · #10 08-20-2017, 06:34 PM

Charles you are not a loser, you are a student of nature. This is a learning process and sometimes we have to learn what we can and cannot grow. I've been lucky though I've also been selective in my choices of plants. I found this forum as my source of information concerning many orchids. I've spent hours reading threads to help me select plants.

Honestly one of my best sources for growing and cultural requirements has been the amazing search feature of Andy's Orchids.

I too struggle with Masdevallia and I will not attempt to grow any more of them even though I really love them. You have learned a lesson, move on to growing the plants that will thrive in your conditions. If in doubt, ask questions here and read everything you can find in regards to that plant that has caught your eye.

Lesson learned. Not a loser at all, a student.