Madder then hell - Orchid Board

flhiker · #1 06-16-2009, 01:05 PM

I was recent informed that it was only the seed pod taken and not the Plant itself. I totally misunderstood what was taken. I felt kicked in the stomach when I thought the plant was taken that I had to vent. I feeling much better now!!

(

I have just been informed by a great friend that the Ghost orchid I called 4 phase has come up missing! STOLEN. I know I have offered to show people (with conditions) these beautiful plant in the past but I must say PLEASE DON'T ASK.

I WILL NO LONGER BE ADVISING, SHOWING OR TAKING ANYONE TO SEE THEM.
I can't help but think that I may have been the idiot to show the scum bag this plant. THIS SUCKS

kinknstein · #2 06-16-2009, 01:21 PM

That sucks Dave! I am really sorry to hear, hopefully it wasn't someone you showed. Even if it were though, it would hardly be your fault!!! At least you can always enjoy them where they are and share pics with the rest of us on the board. What a shame!!

Justin Parkkonen · #3 06-16-2009, 01:48 PM

That is terrible. It is so hard to tell who truly cares about these plants and who is in it for selfish purposes. I guess we must all take a lesson from this and error on the side giving too little information.

Dave, don't beat yourself up over having shown the orchid. My thoughts are that you have likely shown these beauties to more people who truly care and are interested than to people who have bad motives. Additionally, where there is a will, there is a way. If someone wants these orchids bad enough, they will end up finding them anyway.

I just do not understand why someone would take one from the wild, though. My understanding is they are becoming relatively common on the commercial market, and these home grown specimens do much better in captivity than a wild specimen.

isurus79 · #4 06-16-2009, 03:12 PM

Man, that really sucks. Its so weird that someone would steal such a rare orchid from the wild when it is so easily available for purchase from a commercial grower. I guess we have to get more to the market to help stop stuff like this happening. Dave, I doubt you were the direct cause of this theft. It was probably just some jerk walking through the woods who happened to see a prize specimen and took it. Don't beat yourself up over it!

camille1585 · #5 06-16-2009, 04:10 PM

It is so sad that people can't just admire the orchids where they are meant to be; out on a tree in the swamp.

What's the point of taking it when you can get nice ones legally?
Don't beat yourself up about it, orchid thieves are a determined bunch of people. If they want a plant, they'll get it, with or without people showing them where it is.

I sort of understand your frustration and anger. Every year I go see the same patch of wild orchids not far from my home. A few years ago, I checked on them too early, they were not blooming yet. When I went back a week later, all there was left was a few holes in the ground. These terrestrials are not as rare as the ghost, but it's sickening none the less.

SP2340 · #6 06-16-2009, 04:29 PM

Yeah, wow that does suck! I personally couldn't remove an orchid growing in the wild, it's really a work of art to admire in it's natural habitat. Sorry to hear about that.

RosieC · #7 06-16-2009, 04:40 PM

That is terrible

Your frustration is justified. I feel an element of it myself and I've never had the pleasure of seeing them in person.

Don't blame yourself. All you've tried to do is share your passion for these wild orchids.

nenella · #8 06-16-2009, 04:46 PM

Hi Dave & I'm sorry to hear the bad news- I agree with Steve , It's not your fault!!! unfortunately there are some people out there that do these sort of things...
Thanks for looking 'out' for the ghost orchids & also sharing your photos with us. I very much enjoy following the natural growing cycle of this beauty from far away through your photos. Merci!

Gin · #9 06-16-2009, 05:57 PM

A thief is a thief

it is not your fault .
I doubt very much it is anyone you showed it too that stole it . I hope the scum bags get a lesson in respect someday .. Gin

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #10 06-16-2009, 07:19 PM

Look Dave, this isn't your fault. How could you have known if it really was somebody you brought over to show this plant to? It could've been someone you never brought over.

Even if it was somebody you showed the orchid to, how would you have known they were going to do it? You're not a mind reader, (nobody is).

This is just hindsight bias talking.

Regardless, it does suck. I'd be pissed too.

Although, I would have to say in difficult economic times, if somebody wants a rare orchid of the caliber you're describing, but they know how to get it for free thinking that it's "only one", they'll take that "one" in the place of buying one.

Think about it...it's either something to personally showcase, boast about, or something that'll fetch a good price, or possibly even make a good brood stock.

I'm sure that however rare this one was, there will be another one. And if you do find it, you PROTECT it or find a way to propagate so that you might be able to re-introduce something like it back into the wild (or both).

Think about the rhinos and elephants, aren't they in a similar situation?

One more thing to consider...all orchids have been a prized plant for hundreds if not thousands of years. The ancient Chinese with the Cymbidiums. Victorian England with the Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, Vandas, and Dendrobiums. I do recall a story about a species of Cattleya that was once abundant along a waterfall in South America almost stripped bare sometime during the 1800's.

Another thing is that these plants used to cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Sucky things happen all the time (sometimes more often than one cares for), but it's what is done after that sucky thing that counts.