Been gone a long time, but hard to come back after an orchid disaster...

[Swamper]

I'm sorry for your loss Camille. But stick around please. Everyone around here would really miss you. Even though you can't replace sentimental value, you'll get some more and start over. I wish you were closer, I'd send you a few right now. Best wishes.

[natasha]

be strong for the loss and persist on the insurance money... grieve if you have to, then start over and forget... i have lost some of my collection last year to bacterial infection, decide to ignore for a while and come back again... hope you will be strong too!

[Tindomul]

Sorry about the bad times Camille, you have been missed here on OB. However, I know where you are coming from and I would say to you, take your time to return my friend. I'm sure your path and OB's path will cross again. As much apathy as you may want to have in Orchids, its probably in your blood by now and you might want to return. If so, we will be waiting. Then again, hopefully you will not leave

[camille1585]

I think that by the time I get home late august, I'll be itching to buy orchids. I'm doing a research project in the US until then, so I can't even buy orchids even if I wanted to, because I'd have to trash them before heading back to Europe! Even Noids are so darned expensive here compared to the Netherlands.

But I think I'm getting drawn back into orchids anyways. A PhD student here houses his entire 200-300 plant collection in one of the university's research greenhouses. A lot of his babies are neglected, and I'm guilty of spending my spare time on the roof in the greehouse, giving the poor orchids some much needed tlc. He's got some awesome Stanhopeas in bloom as well as several Encyclia tampensis, and a monster Brassavola nodosa that I hope will bloom before I leave. A shame I can't bring home some divisions.
Anyways, it's nice to have an orchid addict to talk to at work, I think we're quickly going to be friends!

[stefpix]

you could bring some divisions with you. How many people from Europe bought a few iPads to take back. what are the chances? Some rules sometimes can be bent. If you are not hurting / taking advantage / abusing anyone.
A division of a Brassavola nodosa is pretty small.

[Angurek]

That's just terrible, Camille. I can't believe the post office would do this to you.

I'm sorry to hear about your losses. I feel my heartstrings get pulled each time I lose a plant, or when a favorite plant is sick. All that hard work you put into them seems to just go down the drain.

I understand your not wanting anything to do with orchids, but I urge you not to give up. Something tells me that if you looked hard enough, you could get your collection back in no time.

And keep fighting for your insurance money. I hope you get it back.

[Nic100]

Oh Camille! I'm so sorry! Firstly though - you have so much experience and advice to offer here on orchid board, that I know I personally have benefitted from, that it would terrible if you didn't come back. And secondly if I ever have anything worth dividing you're first on my list to have it!

[nibbler]

Camille,
Can you post a list of what you have lost? You never know who can help you. I have a few plants with Keiki's forming. Some of them are NOID phals, the rest I know the names. You are more than welcome to them and they should be ready to go by the time you come back to Europe.

Let me know. I am really sorry for your loss. But keep hounding them. You are at least entitled to the insurance and where is their proof they returned to sender. They could say that any time they lost a parcel.

Stay strong. You wont always be an impoverished student.

[Triffid]

Originally Posted by nibbler

Camille,
Can you post a list of what you have lost? You never know who can help you.

Good call nibbler.

Hi Camille,
I may be newish round here, not have a big collection or much experience but I would also, like others, be willing to help if I get the chance. I feel truly sorry for you and the experience.

I will hopefully be getting an equestris soon, and if it ever has babies I'll be sure to think of you.

Keep smiling, seems to me that there are a few of us around who are willing to help if we can.

[quiltergal]

Aw Camille! That really stinks! It's really too bad shipping orchids internationally is such a big deal with CITES and all. I'm sure with all the OB members willing to contribute Keikis and divisions you'd have your collection restored in no time. At any rate, we miss having you around. You're a valued contributor here.