Waaa my Masdie bud is toast

[silken]

Waaaa my Highland Fling masdie bud is toast (cat bit it off) for the 3rd time in a row. It's like I am not meant to get a masdie to bloom. The first two buds grew nicely but always seemed to get trapped in their little membrane type sheath even after getting about 4 inches tall. So they turned yellow and died. This 3rd time all was wonderful and the bud was out and free very early on. The spike was about 4 or more inches tall and a nicely formed bud, all bright green.

But yesterday I moved my little plastic greenhouse and all my milts and my 2 masdevallias into the house as we are going to the lake for 3 weeks. We will be home several times to water orchids and cut grass but out in the greenhouse, the milts and masdies need watering more than that. So I soaked them all well and set them in their little humidity retaining house in the living room where it will be cooler.

Twice I noticed my cat Stanley's big bad head in there amongst the plants and got after him to get out. But this morning 2 inches of spike are laying in the pot cleanly nipped off. I could just cry or choke him

[zxyqu]

Think it might be time to change that avatar of yours silk. Sorry to hear that. My dogs have cost me at least 2 spikes, multiple leaves, and for whatever reason, my golden/pyraneese mix loves roots from my mounts!!! Grrr.
Maybe it'll spike again for you. Think positive!

[ronaldhanko]

We mourn with you!

[silken]

Actually my avatar is Silken, my sweet little Abyssinian cat who would never do that Stanley is a big tuxedo black/white who is just hell on 4 legs. Don't know why I still love him

But you are correct, think positive. I know after the first two blasted, it would immediately throw up another it was trying so hard to bloom. Just Sooo frustrating. And I love masdie blooms and wanted one. I was thinking after 3 weeks away that I would see some major progress toward that bloom.

Oh well, I keep thinking-orchids ain't for sissies, what with all the heartache and the patience required. The rewards are great tho!

Thanks both for your sympathies.

[silken]

There, I decided it was time to change my avatar anyways!

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Originally Posted by silken

There, I decided it was time to change my avatar anyways!

Sorry for the Masdie bud, that must've sucked! If any one in my family were to break a bud or spike, especially is it was the only bud, oh, would I be mad! I like your avatar by the way!

[silken]

Thanks Cody. Stanley chews the leaves of my milts when I bring them in the house to enjoy the blooms. He's not supposed to be on the counters, but there he is And he has knocked one orchid pot off the coffee table 3 times and luckily only broke a leaf, but it was un-potted each time. He goes rip-snorting thru the house like a freight train. But somehow he is as loveable as they come What can ya do?? Oh well, finally off to the lake to see what kind of trouble he can dig up there. I hope my masdie will give me another chance at a bloom.

[sii]

Oh, so sad to hear about your bud. Growing orchids takes patience and then our reward is blooms/flowers. I hope it'll send up another one soon !

In the meantime, your cat needs a new toy. How about a mouse??

p.s. I also like your avatar. Thinking of getting one for myself.

[silken]

Thanks sii. Yes, Stanley would love a mouse. Part of his problem is he is a young and very active intelligent cat. It's against the law to let them run free outside so he is a house cat. He would have so much fun outside running around and hunting. They have lots of toys and a big cat climber thing, but it isn't enough for him. We used to let our cats out years ago and never had gopher and vole problems in the yard and flower beds. Now we have all those problems but the rule makers never think of the big picture.

I only have two masdies and the other one, tho healthy looking, has never tried to bloom. This one puts out a new spike as soon as the previous one fails! I hope it will give me another chance.

[Eyebabe]

I'd put the cat in the little plastic greenhouse while the plants are out...you might throw in his food and some water if he looks really, really sorry