Dangit Dangit...I killed them.

[shadytrake]

I am so mad at myself. I put the Phaiocalanthes outside with the Cyms because they seemed to be doing so well with a chill before blooming (yes they all had spikes).

Well last night it dropped more than I anticipated and I killed them all.

3 Phaiocalanthe Kryptonite Blood Bath (total 5 spikes).
1 Phaiocalanthe Chariot's of Fire (1 spike).

I pulled them inside at 5am hoping that they wouldn't but when I went out at 9, all BLACK and mushy.

I cut all the leaves away down to the bulbs and peeled all the mushy away from the bulbs in the hopes that maybe there is life still in there but I think I'm doomed.



Please come and commiserate with me and tell me your "oops" stories so I don't feel like an idiot.

...idiot idiot idiot...

[trdyl]

Yep, a similar thing happened to me shortly after moving to Idaho. I lost everything. Fortunately it was only 20 plants but still. I was not a happy camper. The worst of it were 2 plants that were definate keepers which were a white non-NOID Dtps with flowers at 6.75 inches and a Darwinara with bright blue flowers. I have not been able to find any plants available from those crosses since Kensington Orchids closed.

[Angurek]

If I had a dime for every time I messed up with my plants, I'd be rich.

Anyway, here's one story:

I left my plants with a 'sitter last summer, so I could travel out of state and visit my parents. Because I had to leave on short notice, I had to ask one of my neighbors to take care of my plants. They more than gladly accepted, and I left them my plants. One thing I noticed about their growing area was that it had pretty low light levels, but they knew how to grow the plants, so the low light didn't concern me.

When I came back, I was happy to find that all my plants had made it, and even more so that some had matured new leads.

Here's the "oops" part: I forgot that my growing area is much brighter, and that I had to re-acclimatize my plants to the higher light levels. What happened? Well, to cut a long story short, I burned about five plants. Two didn't make it, but the rest did. I think they're still mad at me for what I did, because they refuse to do anything.

Ever since then, I acclimatize my plants after long periods indoors or in darkness. I've extended the rule to new arrivals, too.

When I forget, my burned plants are quick to remind me what I have to do.

Sorry to hear about your plants. I hope you can save them.

[RosieC]

Oh Melissa! I was hoping they would be OK for you but that's a real shame.

[quiltergal]

That's a shame Melissa! You might get them to send up new grow as long as the root mass is OK. At the rate Phaiocalanthes grow they'll be back to blooming size in no time! Crossing my fingers for you!

[Gin]

Very sorry Melissa . My tale happened this spring we put up a canopy in the back yard I hung some of the Catts . along the edge of it . We had a hale storm the wind blew hail in and beat up several they are ok but look bad .. Gin

[stefpix]

Carl - how long were you away for that your plants got used to shade and got burned once in bright light?

Melissa - maybe one night of chill cant do too much damage. maybe the rhizome is ok and will grow new leaves soon.

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by stefpix

Carl - how long were you away for that your plants got used to shade and got burned once in bright light?

Three months.

[b amateur]

I'm so sorry Mellisa.I've killed so many plants through the years and mourned their passing every time.So far this season,I have managed to decapitate several spikes from favorite plants,the latest was a Beallara.I have also managed to break the spike on my Epi.radicans three years in a row.I really hope you can save your babies.good luck,Brad

[Jerry Delaney]

What a shame, Mellisa! It may not make you feel any better, but most likely all orchid growers have a similar story to be told, even if they won't admit it. Many years ago, I used to keep a card file of my plants but quit when the "dead" file became the largest single file in the file box!!! I have often thought of putting together a presentation entitled "Orchids I Have Known Briefly" (some more briefly than others). I once saw an exhibit in an orchid show (I won't say where) that had little tombstones all labeled with the orchid's name and a pot with presumably the "once lived" plant in it. It received exactly 0 ribbons, but I sure admired the exhibitors sense of humor and honesty!