Grrrrr.... How Aggravating

[Ray]

I am posting this for the benefit of less-experienced growers, so they won't be discouraged by mistakes.

I've been growing orchids for over 45 years, but that doesn't mean I still can't screw up...

I acquired a Phalaenopsis tetraspis C1 seedling a couple of years ago, and it has actually done better growing outside on my deck in NC in the summer, and in a north-facing window in winter than it ever did in my greenhouse in PA. I attribute that to overall warmer conditions. It has bloomed twice for me in the last year, both times with two or three flowers.

A couple of months ago, it started a new spike that has grown and grown, and it ultimately developed nine buds! They all developed nicely.....until Easter week, when practices and services (my wife and I sing in our church choir), followed by family visits, led to me basically ignore my plants. The pot went dry and the buds soon followed.

Did I say "grrrrrrr"?