Trying to bounce back after losing most of my collection

[camille1585]

I really haven't been around much lately, as long term regular members have probably noticed. At the start of the year it was mostly due to a lot of personal stuff happening that left me drained of all energy.

Lately I just haven't had the motivation to post much, and don't have much to share anyway. As I had shared a couple months ago, I have/had a disease rip through my collection. It has pretty much wiped out everything in the Phal and Vanda alliances, which is horrific since about 75% of my collection was Phals.

Only a couple Phals survived, luckily 4 of my favorites were spared (including my gigantea and large lueddemaniana). I don't know if they are resistance or healthy carriers. My Phrags, Paphs, Catts, Oncs all seem OK.

It's depressing to see my shelves right now and hard to find motivation to care for the survivors, and I still have a couple plants where I need to decide what to do (some are rather expensive Phals). I'll probably spend the fall and winter culling, cleaning, disinfecting, repotting and see about maybe getting a few cheap supermarkets Phals late winter to use as 'canaries in the coal mine'. If they stay healthy, next spring I'll start slowly rebuilding the collection and trying to find some of my favorites again.

I'm trying to participate in the forums a bit again as I really have missed you all and seeing your beautiful plants!