Been registered for a while but somehow forgot I had a voice!
I'm fairly new to orchids, having only been infected with this deliciously loathsome fever since last spring or so. It was a phalenopsis that did it, actually - or rather its untimely death.
You see, I live in prime orchid country. I just didn't know it until recently. So, after my orchid-curious fiancee dragged me into a now-defunct local orchid dealer and I saw those exotic, luscious and sometimes hauntingly fragrant little buggers I thought, "What the hell." In minutes I was the proud owner of a white phalenopsis in all its silken, recklessly blooming glory. But, failing to notice the obvious signs of crown rot and knowing less than nothing about orchid culture, I promptly killed it.
That might have been the end of my affliction had it not been for the internet. You see, I hate killing things - be it fish or flower. I became obsessed with my own failure. "What did I do wrong?" I wondered. This being the 21st century, I hit the web and found some clues. Hours passed. Before I knew it I was buying books on orchid culture - with the only one I 'owned' rotting away in the company of empty wine bottles and banana peels! I couldn't help it. I had to make it up to them - the orchids....or something.
Soon after that I wound up at a local orchid show. A whole new world of fever awaited me there - and no one ever warned me. Not even a hint. What chance did I have? The blasted bug was airborne now. When the lemon and honey-cream fragrance of Sedirea japonica hit my nostrils it might as well have been crack. I was done for. I won't even try to describe the bizarre, mind-altered state I entered when I saw my first Neofinetia falcata.
I now own 21 orchids - wait make that 23. Forgot about the two Darwinara Charms we bought from Seed Engei a few days ago. Please...someone tell me there's hope. Really though, I have to ask myself: Even if its for the best, do I even want to be cured? Do any of us?
Kai A.
New to Posting - Mostly New to Site
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