Winter Withdrawals

[Cavs n' Orchids]

Well, I've repotted, divided, attached divisions to mounts, unattached divisions FROM mounts, pesticided, fungicided, moved to higher light, moved to warmer temps, moved to cooler temps, bloomed, taken pics, etc, and STILL have new plant shopping wihdrawals, and its only JANUARY!! The beginning of the month was great; warm temps above and around freezing, which for Northwestern Ontario in January is great, but now we are sitting around -31C with the wind chill, only to get colder (which keeps me from outdoor hobbies), and I am having Cattleya withdrawals! Which I shouldnt have because I have one currently blooming and 2 more on the way! It makes it worse that the only orchids available to buy in town are overpriced NOID phals that have been crammed in sphag till their roots suffocate. Not a Cattleya anywhere in sight. And we sadly dont have an orchid society either, which would be a wonderful way to pass the "No Shipping" months. Thank god for Orchid Board!!
Well enough of me whining, how are the rest of you zone 6 and unders fairing through the cold months?

[ronaldhanko]

Poor you! No orchid society? How tough, and no orchids to buy either - could hardly be worse.

[ezil]

Today and yesterday the temps dropped to -43C with the wind chill. My windows are closed tight and it's too dangerous to be outside for long. This is why we have to justify are orchid splurges in the warmer months. Fortunately there are websites - it's a bit like browsing through seed catalogues. Keep the faith - even arctic highs move on (eventually)!

[silken]

I have to trump that with -48 with wind chill here,ezil. In one day we went from around the 0 mark to these kind of temps. Thank goodness we finally got a good dump of snow to cover up the ground and protect all the perennials. Keeps life interesting!

[Cavs n' Orchids]

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

Poor you! No orchid society? How tough, and no orchids to buy either - could hardly be worse.

It would be wonderful to have a local Society and get to meet with other addicts.. I mean enthusiasts! lol
It would be equally nice to have a local retail greenhouse that has a selection of genera to choose from. I started out with the grocery store Phals and yes they can be elegant, but they just dont cut it for me anymore. Maybe its paying $40 for a half dead plant that did it. Having too much time on my hands ends up meaning a huuuuge spring order, which does make the waiting and anticipation totally worth it! I have a list for Hausermann's as soon as the weather is safe, now I need to give myself a limit, because there are too many nice plants to choose from!! Cant wait for spring!!

---------- Post added at 11:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 PM ----------

Originally Posted by silken

I have to trump that with -48 with wind chill here,ezil. In one day we went from around the 0 mark to these kind of temps. Thank goodness we finally got a good dump of snow to cover up the ground and protect all the perennials. Keeps life interesting!

I know what you mean! Everytime we get a dump of snow, I go out when my hubby is shovelling and point out my flowering shrubs and tell him to dump as much snow on them as possible! He just looks at me like I'm crazy, and thankfully obliges!

[ezil]

We could do with a dump of snow here Silken. We have very little, and that's a problem. It's taking its toll on the trees. They've already taken such a beating from a 10 year below normal rainfall. Last year's precip. gave them a reprieve, but we better get a good dump of snow before the next cold snap!

[greenbean]

I've been having withdrawals since December! I have a list of plants to order from Hausermann's, Parkside, and a few others, but I know I won't be able to order everything on my list. I don't know where I'll be living this summer, so I'll have to hold back even when I can order!

This week Pullman, Washington has gotten a rapid accumulation of snow. I can't believe Washington State University actually cancelled classes tomorrow! First time in 4 years! No class for me tomorrow, yahoooo!!!

Of course that means I'll be spending that much more time looking at orchid sites and adding to my wishlist....

[Cavs n' Orchids]

Originally Posted by ezil

We could do with a dump of snow here Silken. We have very little, and that's a problem. It's taking its toll on the trees. They've already taken such a beating from a 10 year below normal rainfall. Last year's precip. gave them a reprieve, but we better get a good dump of snow before the next cold snap!

My brother-in-law lives in High River, and it sounds like you all have been having pretty weird weather all year! I cant imagine how bad those wind storms were this past fall! I saw pictures; my brother in law lost part of his roof and all of his back yard fence! Not to mention the floods from earlier in the year! We (Thunder Bayians) take living here for granted, but either the protection from the bay, or the Canadian Shield, we dont get much of anything, other than cold! lol *knock on wood*

[Tindomul]

OMG. -48 C!!!!

[Cavs n' Orchids]

We also dont get much of Orchids....lol

---------- Post added at 12:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:14 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Cavs n' Orchids

We also dont get much of Orchids....lol

I should add "of the tropical variety", because we do have quite a few types of orchids indigenous to the area