Venting my Frustration and Sadness

[Greystar]

Hi,

Just wanted to vent my feelings and look for advice with my disaster.

So first month of Winter in Sydney right now and we are getting very strong winds. As a result, my flimsy shelving had fallen down along with almost all of my orchids and hoyas while I was at work. Probably more than 50 in count. A majority of them are dendrobium seedlings and mericlones.

I couldn't bear to look at them all. I just had to take a few pictures, chuck some shade-cloth over the mess and walk away. It's night, it's cold (9 degrees), windy and there's no adequate lighting.

I don't know what to feel. I can't shed a tear but I do feel a bit sad and angry I didn't prepare for it... So I just jumped on because I felt that talking about it would make me feel better. I just feel really defeated.

I really want to be able to recover from it. But right now my plan is to just leave them there as is till Saturday (it's a Tuesday night) when I have time and hopefully get every one back in their pots (and hopefully with the right tags too). I don't know if I should spray them with water or not in the meantime.

Thank You for listening

[RJSquirrel]

cant tell you how to feel or what bec #1 its a shock to your system whether you saw this coming or not.. almost 18 months ago..here I was orchids all covered in Ice and 8 inches of water.


today here I am all put back together and getting blooms..there is always hope and look at the bright side you get to clean it up and buy some new plants

[Orchid Whisperer]

Sorry for your misfortune!

With temperatures dropping to 9C, I would not water anything until you get things sorted out.

Regarding your shelving, the reason it toppled is that it is relatively narrow compared to the height. If you had plants on multiple shelves, the center of gravity was too high, and any wind will make an easy job of shoving it over. Again and again.

If you can, buy or make a bench (or benches) roughly 60 to 100 cm wide, less than a meter tall, and long enough to fit your plants. The plants stay on one level and the center of gravity is lower. If a bench is not possible and you must use your shelves, you will need to rig something to very firmly brace the top and bottom of the shelves (i.e., it appears you have 2 shelf units, your bracing should firmly connect the top and bottom of the 2 shelves together). Get a few sand bags or other weights to weigh down the bottom of the shelving, or if the shelving will be on the lawn, find a way to firmly stake it down.

Good luck!

[Lani]

Aw crap.
You guys are having really terrible weather down there this week. Are they at risk of cold damage where they are? If everything is mixed up on the floor already you could just stack them bare rooted in a box and bring them inside.
Just remember these plants might be fussy when it comes to flowering but they are also resilient when it comes to staying alive

[nikkik]

I am so sorry! I completely understand what you are going through. Last summer, my husband made a pulley system so we could put my vandas in our high trees. We got a huge storm and that tree along with some limbs from the neighboring tree came down on top of my vandas. Several were mature, hard to find plants. I was very frustrated and told my husband I was done purchasing orchids. Now looking back, I am still upset about some of the plants I lost in that storm, but it's just a bump in my orchid growing journey.

I hope that all your plants and your spirit all have a speedy recovery.

[cbuchman]

Do not despair! Orchids are hardy little buggers. I'm sure there will be some attrition, but some will make it. Think positive! For those that survive there will be a great back story to tell.

[RosieC]

oh so sorry! I feel your pain

[tarev]

Ouch! That is painful to see! Hope some of your plants recover in time.

[silken]

Very sorry to see this mess you have to deal with. But as others have said, they are hardy and some should bounce back. I agree that with 9C. I wouldn't water them till everything is restored and temps warm up.

[PaphLover]

Oh dear. Sorry you're going through this. But don't despair, I agree, orchids are tough little guys. They may just surprise you. Sending well wishes.