Life went to heck but bloom season is starting!

[FL_Orchid_Collector]

Ok so I haven't posted in a long time. My life sucks right now, but it's been interesting. The engineers I met with were from Disney, they're building a huge coral exhibit and they wanted to know how the aquaculture lab runs their temperature trials but they were as interested in things like plumbing, filtration, water flow rates which are not my things as they were temperature control which is my thing. No documents were signed or anything like that so I feel I can tell who they were without problems.

I've been hard-scrabble for money, driving rideshare for most of it and I don't have much time or energy for even looking at my orchids no less for taking photos or posting. I live with a relative who is domestically abusive but without physical violence so the state has little interest and that makes it even harder. Nevertheless here's a photo spam of my orchid life since my last post, if I ever have the time and energy I might make separate threads for different stuff but right now I'm just tired.

The Halloween spooky walk was done by Selby Gardens, the keepers of the largest botanical garden orchid collection.. uhhh... in the world? America? Can't remember now but they used stylized spooky orchids as inspiration for many of their decorations - how many can you guys name?

[Dalachin]

Wow! And those plant-ghouls are terrifying.

[FL_Orchid_Collector]

I realize my post could be misunderstood - I don't mean it's harder to live with a non-violent abuser than a violent one, I mean that having an abusive person around makes it harder for me to finish everything I need and want to do in any given day/week/month/year.

[PuiPuiMolcar]

love the Halloween idea, best wishes to you and you'll find a more peaceful time soon with your orchids.

[FL_Orchid_Collector]

Thanks for the kind thoughts everyone. I looked up what's so notable about Selby Gardens and it's that they have the most comprehensive collection of living epiphytes in the world 🤓 I'm feeling rather nerdy today. Aaaand it's time to go take care of my orchids!

[Dimples]

Abuse is abuse, physical or otherwise it's all harmful. I don't know enough about services available in FL, and what I do know about the general scene in FL is...not encouraging. Still, there may be local or national resources available to help you transition out of your living situation. Non-profits, public funding, and other stuff when the time comes. I have time and access to the internet; send me a DM if you'd ever like assistance with the research on what help may be out there.

Lovely plants!