Orchid loss devastating....

[gngrhill]

Never give up. some will survive and you can add one at a time. Install an alarm, back up heater, whatever to prevent it from happening again. Chin up and celebrate the survivers !

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by gngrhill

Never give up. some will survive and you can add one at a time. Install an alarm, back up heater, whatever to prevent it from happening again. Chin up and celebrate the survivers !

Thank you for your words of encouragement!

[Paul]

Originally Posted by nikkik

All my sophronitis died.

Now THAT surprises me. Many of the Sophs are cool to intermediate growers ... not unlike many of the more spectacular masdies. (In their native habitats, many experience temps below 32F.) I would have expected at least some of them to have survived this ordeal.

Originally Posted by nikkik

As for the insulation, there is nothing to insulate because the entire room with the exception of the side the attaches to the house is made out of glass, even the ceiling. I wish we could insulate it; it would save us a ton on heating costs!!!!!

Hmm, perhaps double or triple paned glass?

[ula]

I'm sorry for your misfortune, but congrats on your growing Family! I guess life is bittersweet at times...Please don't give up, it's a wonderful hobby (on the bright side: you'll have some space freed up for new acquisitions ).

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by Paul

Now THAT surprises me. Many of the Sophs are cool to intermediate growers ... not unlike many of the more spectacular masdies. (In their native habitats, many experience temps below 32F.) I would have expected at least some of them to have survived this ordeal.

It surprised me too! The only thing I can guess is because of the media and the fact that they were just watered they froze?

Hmm, perhaps double or triple paned glass?

For the cost of windows, I would rather build a greenhouse that better suited my growing needs.

---------- Post added at 05:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:07 PM ----------

Originally Posted by ula

I'm sorry for your misfortune, but congrats on your growing Family! I guess life is bittersweet at times...Please don't give up, it's a wonderful hobby (on the bright side: you'll have some space freed up for new acquisitions ).

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement and for the congrats!

[Bud]

Your Vandas will survive....since warm air tends to rise up= the hanging ones get the best heat. The walls also retain thermal heat especially brick to radiate towards the plants.
20 degrees is scary for any plant they turn to sludge overnight outdoors and since it was in an enclosed environment the damage might be minimal.
Spray the damaged leaves to avoid bacterial or fungi infestation.
I am happy to hear you have a new baby coming!

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by Bud

Your Vandas will survive....since warm air tends to rise up= the hanging ones get the best heat. The walls also retain thermal heat especially brick to radiate towards the plants.
20 degrees is scary for any plant they turn to sludge overnight outdoors and since it was in an enclosed environment the damage might be minimal.
Spray the damaged leaves to avoid bacterial or fungi infestation.
I am happy to hear you have a new baby coming!

Thank you for your kind, logical words about my orchids and your expression of happiness over the baby, Bud! I didn't think about the fact that most of my vandas hang higher and heat rises! I will definitely spray the damaged leaves.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by nikkik

The only thing I can guess is because of the media and the fact that they were just watered they froze?

That is a very real possibility.

[nikkik]

Here's the update. Thankfully most of you were right and most of my plants look like they are going to pull through. I've lost a total of 10 plants and 5 are questionable. The plants that I was most nervous about appear to be fine. Depending on their position in the solarium some of my plants are now a little more leafless/damaged than I prefer but I am sure with a lot of time they will be back to their former glory.

We are going to be installing alarm to prevent this from happening in the future. This was definitely a learning experience for us.

I also want to thank all of you for your encouraging words and rational thoughts at a time when I was very upset. Reading your responses really helped to make a bad situation much better. Thank you all!!!!

[nenella]

Wonderful news!, would love to see/read about the system you set up - for future reference.. Thanks in advance