receiving orchids back after a show..

[Call_Me_Bob]

thanks i always try my hardest to stay positive

[RJSquirrel]

you know you cant be too whiny if you gave them to someone to set up for you..They are plants and ch*t happens. Ive seen it. Ive been one of those who dropped someone elses plant. You feel bad but the show must go on.
I know you wanted to show your plants and in-trusted them to another, but at the same time you should have said good bye them also at that point bec you gave them away. You cant hold anyone responsible. It just happens no one mistreats any plant with purposeful torture

Ive got 4 plants with ribbons. after the show you would have said whats that crap? ..So I do understand and they still look like crap

I wish I still had a pic of the big show winner being taken home in 2 pieces. Yes the spike got broken off at some point,(NOT me),got set in the pot and still won

Another reason I myself felt bad is the little hard earned money I spend on the plants. I dont have endless source of plant money. I lose a few here and there I cant go out to the greenhouse or call a buddy up and get a throw down plant to replace it. I have to eat it.

After you do a few shows, lose a few cherry plants, it wont bother you anymore bec you see everyone else has gotten over that type of pain as they all have been there also.

You could almost write a book on the progression of an Orchiholic

[Call_Me_Bob]

i just get way to attached to these darn things! why do they have to be so cool!?

[shadytrake]

I would also remind you that alot of these folks are volunteers and they are sometimes not reimbursed for food, lodging or gas to take those orchids to the show for you.

I personally helped a guy from Nashville fix a broken spike after half of his display came crashing down. He was one person setting up a 25 sq ft display for his entire club. Probably 30 orchids plus all of the gear were packed as carefully as possible into his small suv. He got there on thurs afternoon and worked until well after 8pm and then friday am until about 3pm setting it up. Then he had to take it down and pack it and drive 3 hours home after 5pm on sunday.

Just a thought...be nice to the volunteers. They probably didn't mean to damage them.

[Call_Me_Bob]

thanks for your support, advice, and counseling, to all of you! i was just really upset at the time. now that i have had a chance to digest things, im not so upset anymore. upset, yes, but more understanding now. i will definitely notify someone, but i will make sure im nice, and always grateful.

thankyou all so much!

[quiltergal]

Melissa is right. Some of these volunteers put in an unbelievable amount of time at these shows. I know I sure did. I know I put in 3 10 hour days on our show weekend, but I know there were others that had even longer days.

Next year you'll have plants in the show. It is worth it to share what you know and your beautiful plants with people who have never considered growing orchids before. You can almost see the glimmer of possiblity in their eyes as they listen and look. Besides, just wait until one of your plants gets an AOS nomination... Now that's cool!

[Call_Me_Bob]

like i said, im definitely not put off to shows in general. i am just going to take extra precautions. i do understand that accidents happen, and thats okay. i was upset for a while, and that is fine, but now its time to move on. simple as that

i actual was going to be able to help setup and teardown for this show, but i ended up not being able to. which is sad, because it would have been a good experience. maybe next time

ps. im not sure if i should just cut the blooms off, since they arent very pretty anymore, or what.

[Leafmite]

Hmm, after reading all of this, I have to agree with Maria. None of my orchids will be going to any shows unless I'm trying to be rid of it. If orchid deaths, stress, and damage are considered a natural part of showing orchids, I think it is nuts to risk a beloved plant. A museum doesn't lend a collection of priceless antique crystal or paintings if there is a risk they will be harmed. My orchids, while not rare or truly valuable, are dear to my heart after all the effort I've put into them--my developing works of art.
Leafmite

[Connie Star]

I've had orchids in only 2 shows so far, one my own clubs, and I helped with the set-up. It is a thrill to get ribbons for me. I've only had one plant damaged, and that was at our show- a spike snapped off, but was stuck back in and got a ribbon anyway. To my surprise, the spike lasted in the medium almost 6 weeks.
I do feel for the volunteers, especially the ones who take the plants far away and spend hours driving and setting up then taking down. But I feel for you too, Bob. I think I would feel almost betrayed. Think of a calm way to convey your disappointment to the show committee.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

I've had orchids in only 2 shows so far, one my own clubs, and I helped with the set-up. It is a thrill to get ribbons for me. I've only had one plant damaged, and that was at our show- a spike snapped off, but was stuck back in and got a ribbon anyway. To my surprise, the spike lasted in the medium almost 6 weeks.
I do feel for the volunteers, especially the ones who take the plants far away and spend hours driving and setting up then taking down. But I feel for you too, Bob. I think I would feel almost betrayed. Think of a calm way to convey your disappointment to the show committee.

eh, im not feeling so bad about it anymore. i am planning on sending a kind email to someone. asking how i can improve on my packaging to send them off, stating that they came back a little beat up. paul's ( i think, cant remember for sure.) idea actually