My first kill :( - Orchid Board

ScuttledCuttle · #1 11-01-2010, 11:09 AM

Well, I've done it. I moved two of my orchids into S/H as an experiment, both of which I got from Ray earlier this summer. After about a month in, the Blc Kalamazoo hybrid is doing well but the Wilsonara has bitten the dust. I guess I just didn't time the latter's move as well - it had slowly lost all the leaves and the new growths it had been putting out one by one and was looking generally brown, and when I took it out of the pot yesterday it hadn't managed to put any new roots out that survived the changeover. All the old roots were brown and mushy and all three of the pseudobulbs were squishy as well. *sigh*

Pretty sure bad timing was the big issue, as everything else seemed to be right and I used bottom heat to try and encourage the new roots. I'm just sad I never got to see this one bloom. Tossing a formerly nice orchid in the bin is rather unpleasant. I keep seeing comments here to the effect that "you're not really an orchid grower until you've killed your weight in orchids", so although I hope I don't manage to kill quite that many, I'll try to use that as some solace.

Guess I'll stick with the Blc hybrid and see how it does before trying to switch anything else over. Our horticulture department at the aquarium where I work is having its annual orchid sale later this month, so I may have to have a replacement or two to make up for the loss. Then I'll work on my timing.

nutgirl · #2 11-01-2010, 11:12 AM

So sorry!

It does happen to everyone but I know that's no consolation.

Try again and you'll soon get the hang of things.

Welcome to Orchid Board.

Maureen

Gin · #3 11-01-2010, 11:39 AM

Welcome to the OB .. know how it is.

Gin

ScuttledCuttle · #4 11-01-2010, 11:52 AM

Thanks for the welcome! I've been a lurker for quite a while - nothing like the need for commiseration to bring one out of hiding, I suppose.

Anisa · #5 11-01-2010, 01:10 PM

Sorry about your orchid. I have lost some to S/H too. You just never know what sticks with it and what wouldn't. I think orchids are like people with different personalities - you just cant please everyone.
Anyway i just know that you will replace that one with 3 new ones!

RJSquirrel · #6 11-03-2010, 06:06 AM

1st kill hey? you haven't killed enough if you can still count them

I'm up to about 30 or 40...and I can still count them

ScuttledCuttle · #7 11-03-2010, 10:19 AM

Oh man, that many sounds heartbreaking. I've only been at this for a year, so I suppose it was time.

trdyl · #8 11-03-2010, 12:20 PM

Welcome to OB!

Just don't get too discouraged too quickly. It took me a few years in the begining to get the hang of it. Now 31 years later I do not feel complete without a few orchids around. I am currently on my 6th Vanda and hope I have gotted the kinks worked out with that genus.

RJSquirrel · #9 11-03-2010, 11:23 PM

you learn from it..if you didnt kill em then the ones that live wouldnt be so much fun now would they ?

ipsomatic9 · #10 06-01-2011, 09:03 AM

I have a wilsonara that just within the last several days has had about half of it's leaves turn completely yellow... brown spots on some as well.

It has gotten more humid, but I would have thought that would have been a good thing. It is planted in sphagnum and I've been watering when the area around the roots has become dry. Misting semi-regularly otherwise. What am I doing wrong. I want to save it. It was a gift and it is a spectacular bloomer from the pictures that I've seen! HELP!