Trying to bounce back after losing most of my collection

[camille1585]

I really haven't been around much lately, as long term regular members have probably noticed. At the start of the year it was mostly due to a lot of personal stuff happening that left me drained of all energy.

Lately I just haven't had the motivation to post much, and don't have much to share anyway. As I had shared a couple months ago, I have/had a disease rip through my collection. It has pretty much wiped out everything in the Phal and Vanda alliances, which is horrific since about 75% of my collection was Phals.

Only a couple Phals survived, luckily 4 of my favorites were spared (including my gigantea and large lueddemaniana). I don't know if they are resistance or healthy carriers. My Phrags, Paphs, Catts, Oncs all seem OK.

It's depressing to see my shelves right now and hard to find motivation to care for the survivors, and I still have a couple plants where I need to decide what to do (some are rather expensive Phals). I'll probably spend the fall and winter culling, cleaning, disinfecting, repotting and see about maybe getting a few cheap supermarkets Phals late winter to use as 'canaries in the coal mine'. If they stay healthy, next spring I'll start slowly rebuilding the collection and trying to find some of my favorites again.

I'm trying to participate in the forums a bit again as I really have missed you all and seeing your beautiful plants!

[DeaC]

Good to see you posting again! Looks like you've been a part of OB for a long time. I'm sure that all your knowledge and experience will help you perservere and we can enjoy your fotos and such in the future. Hang in there Camille.

[Mountaineer370]

Camille, you have definitely been missed around the board. I'm sorry to hear of the troubles you have been dealing with, both personally and with your plant collection. I think having ebbs and flows is a natural part of all our lives, and it sounds like you are on the up side, with a good plan for the coming fall and winter. Please keep us posted on how things are going. Sending you the best of good luck.

[WaterWitchin]

Sometimes life throws us too many curveballs at once, and something has to give until we can recoup. You take whatever time you need and join in when you can. You're missed, but taking care of you and yours is much more important than orchids. I remember completely giving up house plants for quite a few years when my kids were growing up. Love 'em (the kids), but it was like being pecked to death by ducks at times. Now I'm back to working on a jungle in the house.

Wish I were closer so I could sling a few canaries your way for the coal mine...

[Leafmite]

I have gone through this a couple of times...the first was Calcium deficiency...lost almost the entire collection (I had quite a few really nice Cattleyas, two I still miss but cannot replace)--the kids killed off one of the survivors, my lovely Noid Phal-type Dendrobium by repeatedly knocking over the pot...it never liked its roots disturbed in the slightest.
I tried to grow under lights and lost many more. After that, I decided I would grow mostly miniatures and set up a nice terrarium...it went great until I bought an orchid that must have had some bush snail eggs. I was very busy getting a kid off to college and did not realize until it was too late and most of the orchids had...disappeared.
Each time was quit depressing.

I am sorry you had to go through losing much of your collection, as well as the personal things. Life does have its ups and downs and I hope that yours is looking up once more. I always think of this poem (the author is disputed but it might be Edgar Guest)


Don’t Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must—but don’t you quit!

Life is queer with its twists and turns
As everyone of us sometimes learns
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man.
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup.
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out—
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And when you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

[DirtyCoconuts]

i wish you lived somewhere i could send plants.

glad to have you around in any capacity

[Clawhammer]

Very sorry to hear of your personal and orchid struggles Camille. We treat our plants like children and there can be trauma and grief when losing beloved plants. Life can really come at us fast. I hope you will be able to reclaim the joy the orchids have brought you in the past in due time. You are such a valued member of this community

[tmoney]

hey camille, well we still are in your debt from the keikis you sent us last year. if you are up for it, pm us your address again and we have a few healthy seedlings we’ve grown out that are ready for a new home. we might have a couple mature phals we want to rehome as well if you want! just left us know, this could be a win-win for both of us as we need to downsize in preparation for a smaller apartment with fewer windowsills!

[Ray]

I have dealt with severe health issues with my family and personally, and have had my collection wiped out “instantly” by freezing, but I think watching them slowly go would have been greater torture.

Welcome back, Camille.

[Ray]

I have dealt with severe health issues with my family and personally, and have had my collection wiped out “instantly” by freezing, but I think watching them slowly go would have been greater torture.

Welcome back, Camille.